Controversial former MP, Ranjan Ramanayake has received today a conditional pardon from Sri Lanka’s President Ranil Wickremesinghe over his conviction for “contempt of court” hower little has been said over his alleged attacks on Buddhism and conspiracy to murder a former government minsiter.
Ramanayake, a member of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), was convicted in January 2021 for 'contempt of court' and sentenced to four years in prison. The President’s Media Division has reported that his pardon was conditional to the former MP agreeing not to make any statements against the judiciary in the future. On Thursday, Ramanayake apologised to the court.
Responding to his initial suspension in May 2020, senior United National Party (UNP) leader Ravi Karunayake had bragged that his party had been cleansed of those who had been “speaking against Buddhism… and standing up only for the minorities”. The UNP had reportedly suspended Ranjan Ramanayake, on the orders of party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, for allegedly making statements “against Buddhism and Buddhist monks”.
The UNP had faced fierce criticism from Buddhist monks over Ramanayake alleged remarks, with monks urging the UNP to ensure that members who have “insulted” monks to not be given any parliamentary nominations in 2019 elections.
In January 2020, Sri Lankan government minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage has also alleged to parliament that he had evidence of Ranjan Ramanayake conspiring with Ranil Wickremesinghe to assassinate him.
“Ranjan Ramanayake is clearly seeking the blessings of former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to assassinate me” he told parliament.
He added:
“In the recording of their conversation, the Prime Minister advices Ramanayake to tell the police that while practising, he had accidentally shot me. It is the Prime Minister who is telling his Deputy Minister how to get away by claiming that it was a mistake. Ramanayake is heard telling the Prime Minister that the former IGP had saved him based on the intervention of PM Wickremesinghe. What is the meaning of this situation Mr. Speaker?… It is totally unacceptable for the Prime Minister to be encouraging and plotting such crimes. In fact he has given instructions to Ranjan Ramanayake to assassinate me. It is clearly stated in the telephone recording”.
Read more here.
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