Ranjan Ramanayake remanded until January 29th

Colombo (News 1st): MP Ranjan Ramanayake, who was arrested yesterday (Jan 14), has been remanded until the 29th of January. The order was given by the Nugegoda Magistrate Wasantha Kumara earlier today (Jan 15). MP Ramanayake was arrested at about 6:20 pm yesterday from his residence at the Madiwela MP's quarters based on a warrant issued by the Nugegoda Magistrate. The Colombo Crimes Division stated that the MP had been questioned till late last night (Jan 14) regarding the controversial phone recordings. The MP was produced before the Nugegoda Magistrate Wasantha Kumara, at the Magistrate's residence, at about 1:00 pm today. The Magistrate also ordered the Prisons Authority to present Ranjan Ramanayake to the Government Analyst at 10:00 am on January 23rd for the purpose of obtaining samples of the former minister's voice. Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris appearing for the Attorney General informed court, legal action will be instituted against all individuals including judges, Bribery Commission officials & top brass at Sri Lanka Police, who had conversations over the telephone with MP Ranjan Ramanayake, irrespective of their status and position. DSG Dileepa Peiris added the investigation is underway after obtaining statements from the heads of 04 Media Institutions, which broadcast and televised the controversial phone recordings connected to the incident. He added the investigation is still underway and strongly objected to bail being granted to Ranjan Ramanayake. The Deputy Solicitor General also stated that MP Ramanayake as a public representative and an artist, abused both his official capacity and public profile to influence decisions by the judiciary. He further stated that even though the MP has portrayed many roles in his acting career, the Attorney General will not permit such behaviour to take place where the judiciary is concerned. Appearing on behalf of the defendant, Attorney-at-Law Wasantha Ranasinghe stated that the authorities have only arrested his client owing to the damage that could be done to powerful individuals in the wake of the leaking of the tapes allegedly recorded by MP Ramanayake. State Counsel Nishara Jayaratne, the Coordinating Officer to the Attorney General confirmed to News 1st, this was because the MP had committed offences in terms of article 111C - Subsection 02 of the Constitution for the Interference with the functions of Judges. In a letter to the CCD Director, the Attorney General said there is reasonable suspicion to believe MP Ramanayake had influenced or attempted to influence without any legal power, with regard to the functions of judges. Incidentally, it is for the first time in Sri Lanka a case is being filed against an individual under the provisions of the constitution.