• Says he did not make such a statement intentionally to contempt or undermine the Supreme Court

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda   

Former State Minister Ranjan Ramanayake yesterday pleaded guilty to the charges mentioned in the second contempt of court case filed against him for allegedly making a derogatory statement regarding the Supreme Court.    

The second contempt of court case had been filed against Ranjan Ramanayake for allegedly making a derogatory statement regarding the Supreme Court, while participating in the ‘Wada Pitiya’ programme on TV Derana in 2018.   
Making an oral statement before the Supreme Court, Ramanayake said he offers an unqualified special regret over the remarks he made at a television programme, if his utterances have caused any contempt towards the Supreme Court.   
However, Ranjan Ramanayake said he did not make such a statement intentionally to contempt or undermine the Supreme Court.   
Ramanayake made these remarks when the second contempt of court case filed against him was taken up before Supreme Court three-judge-bench comprising Justice Buwaneka Aluwihare, Justice L.T.B. Dehideniya and Justice Gamini Amarasekara.   
President’s Counsel Anura Meddegoda with counsel Sandun Gamage appearing for Ramanayake submitted to court that their client has decided to withdraw his earlier application that he is not pleading guilty to the charges.   
Meddegoda moved Court that his client’s credentials in the cinema industry as the most popular actor, being a popular politician in the political arena and being a social activist in the society be considered when court makes a suitable order in this regard.   
Meanwhile, Deputy Solicitor General Madhawa Tennakoon appearing for the Attorney General urged the Supreme Court to consider the fact that the respondent has pleaded guilty to the charges over an offence in which the Supreme Court is empowered to impose punishment.   
The Supreme Court ordered both parties to file their written submissions before May 4. The judgement regarding this application is to be delivered in due course.   
On January 11, 2021, the Supreme Court convicted Ranjan Ramanayake for the offence of contempt of court in connection with the first contempt of court case and sentenced him to a term of four years rigorous imprisonment.   
The Supreme Court had served a rule under a complaint that Ranjan Ramanayake had commented on the media regarding an ongoing case at Supreme Court in a manner of insulting and damaging the reputation of the judiciary. It is alleged that the former State Minister had allegedly insulted the Supreme Court by publicly prejudging a fundamental rights violation petition which was filed over the dissolution of Parliament in October 2018.   
The Attorney General maintained that the statement made by Ranjan Ramanayake was tantamount to contempt of court in terms of Article 105 (3) of the constitution. 

• The Supreme Court ordered both parties to file their written submissions before May 4. The judgement regarding this application is to be delivered in due course