Contempt of Court Case against Ranjan Ramanayake.. – SC RULE NO.1/2018-2021

In the case between Ranawaka Sunil Perera (Petitioner) and Sadda Vidda Rajapakse Palanga Pathira, also known as Ambakumarage Ranjan Leo Sylvester Alphonsu alias Ranjan Ramanayake (Respondent), the court addressed whether the respondent, while serving as a Member of Parliament and State Minister, committed contempt of court by publicly asserting that “the majority in Sri Lanka are corrupted Judges, corrupted lawyers. They work for money.” It was held that the evidence—consisting of televised video recordings, transcripts, witness testimonies, and the respondent’s own admissions—proved beyond reasonable doubt that contempt of court was committed under Article 105(3) of the Constitution. The principle reaffirmed is that public statements which scandalize the judiciary and undermine the author