'I'M NOT AFRAID TO SPEAK THE TRUTH'; RANJAN'S PARTING WORDS

Colombo (News 1st); 'I will not withdraw any comment', said MP Ranjan Ramanayake on Tuesday (12) in his parting words after the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka sentenced the lawmaker to 04 years of rigorous imprisonment.

'I will not apologize for anything and I have not stolen a red cent," he said while being escorted by the prison officers outside the Supreme Court Premises.

Ramanayake said he is not afraid of speaking the truth and is not afraid to die.

Parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayake who was sentenced to 04 years Rigorous Imprisonment was moved to Correctional Center for Youthful Offenders in Pallansena for quarantine, said the Prison Spokesperson.

MP Ranjan Ramanayake was sentenced to 04 years of rigorous imprisonment by the Supreme Court for committing contempt of court.

The case was called up in the presence of Supreme Court Justices Sisira De Abrew, Vijith Malalgoda, and P. Padman Surasena on Tuesday (12).

Chair of the Supreme Court bench Justice Sisira De Abrew delivering the verdict, finding the parliamentarian guilty, said the prosecution had proven beyond any reasonable doubt, Ranjan Ramanayake had committed contempt of court in his comments to the media on judges and lawyers, on the 21st of August 2017 close to Temple Trees in Colombo.

Justice De Abrew further said the MP had purposely made the comments and it was proven from the comments he made after leaving court proceedings on multiple occasions.

The Attorney General filed charges against Ranjan Ramanayake pursuant to a complaint by Retired Army Officer Sunil Perera, alleging the statement made by Ranjan Ramanayake opposite Temple Trees on the 21st of August 2017 was in contempt of court.