Ranjan arrested | Daily News
For alleged interference with judiciary:

Ranjan arrested

The Police’ Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) yesterday arrested film star–politician and former Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake following weeks of controversy and uproar over the many secret recordings of telephone conversations the popular cinema personality has had with numerous politicians, judges, top police investigators, bureaucrats and other prominent personalities. The exposing of various conversations Ramanayaka has had with judges involved in some key criminal prosecutions prompted calls for prosecution of the actor-turned-politician for supposedly trying to influence court cases and being in contempt of court.

The Gangodawila Magistrate yesterday issued a warrant for the arrest of Ramanayake based on the fact report filed by the CCD.

Attorney General Dappula de Livera PC had earlier instructed the CCD Director to obtain a warrant for the arrest of parliamentarian Ramanayake in connection with the alleged interference with the functions of the Judges.

Co-ordinating Officer to the Attorney General, State Counsel Ms. Nishara Jayaratne told news media that the Attorney General has also given instructions to the CCD Director to arrest and produce UNP Parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayake in court for committing offences which come under Article 111C(2) of the Constitution.

In terms of Article 111C(2) of the Constitution, if a person interferes with the judicial powers (without legal authority) or the functions of any judge, he/she is liable for an offence punishable by the High Court for a period of one year imprisonment term with fine. In addition, he/she will be disqualified for a period not exceeding seven years from the date of such a conviction from being an elector and from voting at a Referendum or at any election..

The alleged recording of conversations between Parliamentarian Ramanayake and several members of judiciary including two sitting judges have recently gone viral on the Internet.

Several parties, including the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), had requested the Chief Justice to conduct an investigation into the recently released recordings of phone conversations between MP Ramanayake and members of the judiciary.

 

 

 


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