April 3, 2026
Former Sri Lankan Minister Prasanna Ranatunga has agreed to withdraw his appeal and pay a fine of Rs. 25 million in connection with a high-profile corruption case involving alleged extortion from a businessman.
This development was disclosed during proceedings before the Court of Appeal of Sri Lanka. Legal counsel representing Ranatunga informed the court that his client is willing to settle the matter by paying both the imposed fine and compensation, provided he is granted time to do so. As a result, he will formally withdraw his appeal against the earlier conviction.
Background of the Case
The case dates back to 2015, when Ranatunga was accused of soliciting Rs. 64 million from businessman S. Christian Gihan Mendis. The payment was allegedly demanded in exchange for granting approval to develop a parcel of land located in Meethotamulla, a suburb of Colombo.
Prosecutors further alleged that Ranatunga obtained Rs. 15 million from the businessman through threats and intimidation, making the case one of bribery and abuse of political authority.
Court Ruling and Sentence
In June 2022, the Colombo High Court found Ranatunga guilty of the charges. The court handed down:
- A two-year suspended prison sentence
- A fine of Rs. 25 million
- Compensation of Rs. 1 million to the victim
Following the conviction, Ranatunga filed an appeal challenging the verdict and sentence. However, his recent decision to withdraw the appeal signals an acceptance of the court’s ruling and an effort to conclude the legal proceedings.
Significance
This case has been closely watched as part of broader efforts to address corruption and misuse of power among public officials in Sri Lanka. Ranatunga’s decision to comply with the penalty may bring closure to a case that has been ongoing for over a decade.
( With the inputs from NewsWire)