Prasanna files appeal against conviction

Chief Government Whip and Urban Development and Housing Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, who is serving a suspended sentence, yesterday filed an appeal against his sentence given by the Colombo High Court.

 Minister Ranatunga was handed over the appeal through his lawyers to the Colombo High Court to be filed before the Court of Appeal.

Minister Ranatunga was sentenced to two years rigorous imprisonment suspended for five years by the Colombo High Court over the case filed against him in connection with the alleged conspiracy to extort Rs. 64 million from a businessman to fill a swamp in the Meethotamulla area in Kolonnawa, last Monday.

The minister was also imposed a fine of Rs.25 million and to pay a compensation of Rs. 1 million to the plaintiff.

The case was filed on 15 counts against the three accused, Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, his spouse Maureen Ranatunga and Naresh Kumar Fareek, based on charges of committing offences between April 6, 2015, and June 2, 2015.

Minister Ranatunga was convicted for 1 charge in the indictment and other two accused were acquitted and released from the case due to the lack of evidence against them to prove the charges.