The lawyer representing the Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake today appealed to the Supreme Court to reject the case filed against his client charging him of contempt of court.
President’s Counsel MA Sumanthiran appearing for Deputy Minister Ramanayake told the court that the charges are without a proper legal basis.
The case was called before a three-member Panel of Judges comprising Chief Justice Priyasad Dep, Justice Eva Wanasundera and Justice Vijith Malalgoda.
President’s Counsel MA Sumanthiran raised initial objection to the case and the Supreme Court ordered to submit the relevant documents to the courts.
The apex court decided to hear the case again on December 14.
The lawyer appearing on behalf of the plaintiff requested the court to issue an order to call for the video containing the Deputy Minister’s full speech from a private television station.
The Supreme Court, which accepted the request, ordered the registrar to bring the relevant videos from the private television station.
Magalkande Sudantha Thero and a retired Air Force officer Sunil Perera had filed the case against the deputy minister.
The plaintiffs say on 21 August Ranjan Ramanayake issuing a statement in the media has said the majority of the judges and lawyers in Sri Lanka are corrupt.
They say the Deputy Minister’s statement insult the judiciary and request the court to penalize the Deputy Minister.
