Ranjan Ramanayake Contempt of Court Case.. – SC CONTEMPT 06/18-2022

In the case between the State and Ranjan Ramanayake, the issue considered was whether public remarks implying predetermined Supreme Court bench decisions constituted contempt of court by diminishing public confidence in the judiciary. It was held that such statements, even speculative and unsubstantiated, undermine the integrity of the justice system and constitute contempt. The principle reaffirmed was that the judicial process must be shielded from public commentary likely to erode trust in its impartiality. The decision was guided by Article 105(3) of the Constitution and Section 303 of the Code of Criminal Procedure Act, with emphasis placed on both the necessity of upholding judicial authority and the consideration of mitigating factors in sentencing, resulting in a suspended custodia