Ranjan cheered as he leaves Welikada on presidential pardon

By Norman Palihawadane

Former Gampaha District Samagi Jana Balavegaya MP Ranjan Ramanayake Friday (26) afternoon left Welikada prison hours after President Ranil Wickremesinghe granted him what the Presidential Media Division called a “conditional pardon.”

The PMD said that Ramanayake was released on condition that he wouldn’t make statements critical or derogatory of the judiciary ever again. A large group of supporters cheered as he left the prison. Among those who werte present there were SJB leader Sajith Premadasa and several other MPs.

Ramanayake told the media that Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe obtained an assurance from him that he would continue his anti-corruption campaign.Tourism Minister Harin Fernando is on rec0rd saying the President released his former colleague on the request made by him along with many others. Fernando thanked Justice Minister Rajapakshe who he said worked tirelessly to make it happen.

Fernando who once offered to resign his seat to enable Ramanayake to re-enter parliament has been recently silent on this offer.Ramanayake who had been serving time for contempt apologized by affidavit on Thursday (25). Produced in court on the same day the affidavit stated that the former MP apologized on both contempt charges filed against him.He was sentenced by the Supreme Court to four years rigorous imprisonment on Jan 12, 2021. His vacant Gampaha district prliamentary seat was filled by Ajith Kuamar Mannaperuma.

Ramanayake was accused of contempt for making an adverse reference to judges and lawyers at a media briefing held near Temple Trees on August 21, 2017.Following a trial the Supreme Court sentenced him to four years RI.

In January 2020, Ramanayake was arrested for committing a crime in terms of Article 111C (2) of the Constitution by interfering with the functions of judges. He was later granted bail, following the conclusion of the trial, he was sentenced.

On April 7, 2021, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene informed Parliament that the Parliamentary seat of SJB MP Ramanayake had been declared vacant. He said the Parliament Secretary General had informed the Elections Commission that MP Ramanayake ceased to be an MP as per Parliamentary Act.