News
Contempt of Supreme Court Case: ASG piles on arguments to convict Ranjan Ramanayake
By Chitra Weerarathne
Accused, Ranjan Ramanayake, though a politician, did not have special power to criticise the Supreme Court and contempt of court laws applied equally to all citizens, Additional Solicitor General Sarath Jayamanne, President’s Counsel yesterday told the Supreme Court.
The Additional Solicitor General said the Supreme Court was vested with very wide jurisdiction as the highest Court in the land to punish persons found guilty of contempt of court.
Sarath Jayamanne PC, appeared for the Attorney General, in the contempt of court application against Ranjan Ramanayake, accused of tarnishing the image of judges and lawyers, at a press conference, held in Colombo. Ramanayake is a Janabalavegaya Parliamentarian for the Gampaha District.
Article 105 (3) empowers, the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal to punish persons for contempt of court, the ASG explained.
The ASG said that the Attorney General has been invited by the Court to appear an Amicus curiae to assist the court.
The accused was permitted to summon witnesses of his choice.
The accused Ramanayake in his impugned utterances said that most of the judges were corrupt. They included the judges of the Supreme Court. What he had said amounted to contempt of the Supreme Court. If it was allowed, tomorrow films would be made to bring the Supreme Court into disrepute. That would be scandalous. It would mark the end of the judicial system.
Members of Parliament or public representatives should not be allowed to discredit the judges, the Additional Solicitor General said.
Politicians and other citizens were subject to same contempt of court laws.
ASG Jayamanne argued that the prosecution does not have to prove the intention of the accused in a contempt of court case. The Article 105/3 of the constitution had recognised Supreme law. The contempt of court had always been treated as an offence. The penalty could be imprisonment and or a fine.
In the Criminal Procedure Code, offence was an act or ommission, punishable by law, Jayamanne said.
Ramanayake too had taken contradictory positions. Once he said he meant the judges. Then again in his evidence he said he did not mean the judges. The contradictory evidence confirms the accusation.
For insulting the court there was no defence, Sarath Jayamanne PC stressed.
A judgement could be examined in a professional way. But insulting the court was an offence, he said.
The bench comprised Justice Sisira de Abrew, Justice Vijith K. Malalagoda and Justice Preethi Padman Soorasena.
The case will be mentioned again on October 21.
Police urge motorists who intend to use the Ella – Wellawaya Road to use alternative roads as there is a severe vehicle congestion due to inclement weather condition.
The oil anointing ceremony for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year was held on April 16 at the historic Rajamaha Viharaya in Kolonnawa, with the participation of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.
Following the chanting of pirith, the oil anointing ritual was carried out at the auspicious time of 9:04 a.m., by the Chief Incumbent of the temple, Venerable Kolonnawa Dhammika Thero.
Speaking after the ceremony the Prime Minister said that:
“The Sinhala and Tamil New Year is one of the most important festivities in our country. It is a celebration with our families, reflecting our traditions and customs while strengthening the ties.
This festival leads the path for renewing unity, love, and bonds stronger. These values enrich a country. Development of a country is not limited by one-dimensional; a true development includes spirituality, relationships, and connections. The reason why we uphold these customs in such ceremonies is to remind ourselves of the significance and to pass on their value to future generations.
Therefore, today marks a significant day. Throughout this week, we came together and engaged in various activities. Followed by, the next event will mark the leaving for employment at the auspicious time and we should start working collectively to rebuild the country.
I wish everyone a New Year that is prosperous, peaceful, joyful, full of strengthened relationships, and most importantly, safe for all.”
The ceremony was graced by the presence of the Maha Sangha, and attended by the Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs Eranga Gunasekara, Divisional Secretary to Kolonnawa Priyanath Perera, Municipal Secretary Nelum Kumari Gamage, and the residents of the area.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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Heat Index at ‘Caution Level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Southern and Eastern provinces and in Rathnapura and Monaragala districts today [16]
Warm Weather Advisory Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology for 16 April 2025
The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Southern and Eastern provinces and in Rathnapura and Monaragala districts.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the table below and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
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