The Supreme Court has ordered the Attorney General to examine the recent statement made by Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake and inform whether he can be charged for contempt of court. 

The two cases filed by Ven. Magalkande Sudantha Thera and retired Air Force officer Sunil Perera accusing Ramanayake of contempt were taken up before a three-member judge bench comprising Justice Sisira de Abrew, Priyantha Jayawardena and Prasanna Jayawardena today (23). 

President’s Counsel Hemantha Warnakulasuriya, appearing on behalf of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), stated that Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake is continuing to make statements which are contempt of court.

Meanwhile Deputy Solicitor General Priyantha Nawana, appearing on behalf of the Attorney General, informed the court that the relevant video footage has been produce before the court. 

Therefore the Supreme Court judge bench chaired by Sisira de Abrew instructed the Deputy Solicitor General to obtain and examine a copy of the said footage and look into whether can be charged for contempt of court. 

The case was postponed until June 4, the court instructed relevant parties to make further deliberations on that date. 

The Social Empowerment, Welfare and Kandyan Heritage Deputy Minister had made a statement in Parliament recently criticizing the country’s judiciary while also naming certain judges and lawyers.

Members of the Joint Opposition including former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had accused the deputy minister of abusing parliamentary privileges.