Ranjan Ramanayake released from Welikada prison on ‘Conditional Presidential Pardon’

Ranjan Ramanayake released

Sri Lankan politician Ranjan Ramanayake reacts after being released from the main Welikada prison in Colombo August 26, 2022. (Photo by Ishara S. Kodikara / AFP via Getty Images)

Former Sri Lankan Parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayake was released from Welikada prison today (August 26) afternoon, after President Ranil Wickremesinghe granted a conditional Presidential Pardon earlier today.

A statement from the President’s Media Division noted that the Pardon will be subject to the conditions that Ranjan Ramanayake no longer make any statement that is in contempt of court, and does not act in such a manner.

On the 12th of January 2021, Ranjan Ramanayake was sentenced to a four-year rigorous imprisonment by the Supreme Court over a derogatory comment he had made with regard to the judiciary, outside the Temple Trees on August 21, 2017.

Earlier this year, Ramanayake was sentenced to a two-year rigorous imprisonment, suspended for five years over the second contempt of court charge.

Ranjan Ramanayake released

Sri Lankan politician Ranjan Ramanayake reacts after being released from the main Welikada prison in Colombo August 26, 2022. (Photo by Ishara S. Kodikara / AFP via Getty Images)