Prasanna Ranatunga's bribe confirmed - 9 years in prison if a crore is not paid

The Colombo High Court ordered that the compensation of Rs. 100 lakhs, imposed on former Minister Prasanna Ranatunga after he was found guilty in a case related to accepting bribes for granting permission to reclaim land, must be paid before July 06, 2027.

The Colombo High Court further emphasized that if the defendant defaults on these payments ordered by the court, he will be sentenced to 9 years in prison for contempt of the Court of Appeal's order.

When the case was called, the lawyers representing Mr. Prasanna Ranatunga promised the court that the relevant compensation would be paid within the stipulated period. Taking this promise into consideration, the court took steps to release the defendant.

Mr. Prasanna Ranatunga had been found guilty in connection with an incident where he threatened a businessman and demanded a ransom of Rs. 640 lakhs for granting approval to reclaim land in the Meethotamulla area of Kolonnawa, during his tenure as the Chief Minister of the Western Province.

The Colombo High Court had previously ordered a fine of Rs. 250 lakhs and a compensation of Rs. 100 lakhs for that offense, and this case was called to implement the decision of an appeal filed against that verdict.