A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court comprising Justices Sisira de Abrew, Vijith Malalgoda, and Preethi Padman Surasena delivered the verdict on January 12 and sentenced Ranjan Ramanayake to four years of rigorous imprisonment.
Several lawyers of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) as well as President's Counsel MA Sumanthiran MP, who appeared for Ranjan Ramanayake, are currently discussing further action, Anidda reported.
A member of the SJB when contacted noted that Sri Lanka has ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) which mentions the obligations under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and as such, Sri Lanka is bound by the provisions of that treaty to safeguard the meaningful participation in the political life of one’s society including rights such as freedom of expression.
(Anidda)
