Ranjan Ramanayake contempt allegation: AG claims prima facie case, SC refers to CJ

By S. S. Selvanayagam

The Supreme Court yesterday (04 June) fixed to be mentioned before the Chief Justice for appropriate order on 18 June the allegation of impugned contempt against the Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake, in respect of two petitions complaining of him for having committed the alleged offence of Contempt of Court.

When the matter came up before the Bench comprising Justices Eva Wanasundera and L. T. B. Dehideniya, Additional Solicitor General Priyantha Navana, appearing for the Attorney General, told Court that at a glance, there is a prima facie case (based on the first impression; accepted as correct until proved otherwise) against Ranjan Ramanayake.

Petitioners Sunil Perera and Ven. Magalkande Sudaththa Thero are seeking a Contempt of Court action against the Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake for an alleged statement/insult made at a press conference held on August 21, allegedly damaging the reputation of the Judiciary and Lawyers. Rasika Tissanayake with Suraj Walgama appeared for the Petitioners.

The Petitioners allege the statement amounts to a disrepute and insult to the Judiciary and Lawyers of the country. They claim the Respondent Ramanayake is liable to be punished under Article 105(3) of the Constitution.

Article 105(3) reads: “The Supreme Court of the Republic of Sri Lanka and the Court of Appeal of the Republic of Sri Lanka shall each be a Superior Court of record and shall have all the powers of such Court including the power to punish for Contempt of Court itself, whether committed in the Court itself or elsewhere, with imprisonment or fine or both as the Court may deem fit.”

Petitioners state that the utterance/statement is made at a time where the international community and organisations are trying to force the country to establish special Courts/Tribunals to charge war heroes, with the participation of judges from overseas, by infringing the sovereignty of the people.

They contend that his attack and the insult into the judiciary of the country could lead to bifurcation of complex issues faced by the country.

They state that the utterance/statement made by the Respondent, ridiculing and insulting the members of the legal profession at large, who are the officers of the Court, also amounts to the commission of the offence of Contempt of Court.

M. A. Sumanthiran PC with Jerusha Crossette Thambiah appeared for Ranjan Ramanayake. Additional Solicitor General Priyantha Navana with Senior State Counsel Suharsha Herath appeared for the Attorney General.