Marikkar welcomes release of Ranjan; calls on President to investigate SLPP MP for contempt

• SJB MP Kavinda Jayawardena calls on Harin to resign and make way for Ramanayake

SJB MP S.M. Marikkar yesterday welcomed the conditional Presidential pardon granted to former MP Ranjan Ramanayake, who was released from prison.

Marikkar stated that Ramanayake was found in contempt of court for comments he had made in passing to the press, and subsequently jailed. Ramanayake had not convened a media briefing and made a planned attack on the Judiciary, the SJB’s media spokesperson said.

Marikkar said it places the spotlight on the recent comments made by SLPP MP Sanath Nishantha, who allegedly made disparaging comments on the Judiciary during a media briefing held at the party headquarters.

“Many SLPP members have issues with the Judiciary, as many of them have been charged with various acts of violence and corruption. When a media briefing is convened by a party at its headquarters, and a party member criticises court it could be assumed that this is the position of the party. So this is not just an action by MP Sanath Nishantha, it becomes an action by the party and this should be investigated,” Marikkar said.

He called on the President to conduct an inquiry into the matter as “part of his pledge” to uphold democracy and defeat fascist elements.

During the media briefing yesterday, SJB MP Kavinda Jayawardena called on Minister Harin Fernando to resign from his National List seat in Parliament and make way for Ramanayake to return to the house. Fernando in 2021 made an offer to step down from his seat and make way for Ramanayake if he were freed from jail.