News
Imprisoned ex-MP Ranjan given suspended sentence in second contempt of court case
By Chitra Weerarathne
The Supreme Court yesterday sentenced former Parliamentarian of Samagi Jana Balavegaya Ranjan Ramanayake to two years imprisonment, suspended for five years.
He was charged for contempt of Court in respect of a comment he had made while taking part in the TV programme ‘Vadapitiya‘ on 20 November 2018 on Derana Television. The issue was the removal from office of then Prime Minister, Mahinda Rajapaksa, on 20 October 2018, by a Supreme Court order.
Ramanayake, through his lawyer Anura Meddagoda President’s Counsel, pleaded guilty and expressed regret.
In view of the aforesaid pleading the Court yesterday imposed a prison term of two years, suspended for five years. During this period if he misbehaves, the sentence will be made effective immediately.
The Bench comprised Justice Buwaneka Aluwihare, Justice L.T.B. Dehideniya and Justice Gamini Amerasekera.