Former Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, who was convicted of threatening a businessman and demanding an extortion sum of Rs. 64 million to grant permission to reclaim land in the Meethotamulla area of Kolonnawa, was scheduled to pay Rs. 9 million today as part of the Rs. 25 million fine imposed by the Colombo High Court. However, when the case was called, the former minister requested the court through his lawyer to grant more time to pay the remaining balance.
Key Points
- Out of the Rs. 25 million fine, Rs. 9 million remains to be paid.
- A request was made through counsel for more time to pay the remaining balance.
- The court ordered the case to be called again on February 1 next year.
Case fixed for February 1
Considering the request, High Court Judge Udesh Ranatunga ordered the case to be recalled on February 1 next year for the payment of the remaining amount.
Background of the case
The Attorney General filed this case in connection with an incident alleged to have taken place on April 10, 2015, involving demanding money from a Moratuwa-based businessman, S. Christian Gihan Mendis, and obtaining Rs. 15 million from him. Delivering the verdict on June 6, 2022, the Colombo High Court sentenced Ranatunga to two years' rigorous imprisonment, suspended for five years. He was also ordered to pay a fine of Rs. 25 million and compensation of Rs. 1 million. A default sentence of nine years' imprisonment was imposed in the event of non-payment of the fine.
When the appeal filed by Prasanna Ranatunga against the conviction was taken up before a five-judge bench of the Court of Appeal, his counsel stated that he was prepared to withdraw the appeal if time was granted to pay the compensation and fine. As there was no objection raised, permission was granted to withdraw the appeal. Accordingly, out of the total Rs. 25 million imposed, only Rs. 9 million remains to be settled.
What happens next?
The case will be called again on February 1 next year for the payment of the remaining balance.
