Politics · Sri Lanka Bureau
Ex-Minister Ranatunga Faces February Deadline to Settle Fine
The Colombo High Court has extended a payment deadline for former minister Prasanna Ranatunga to settle the outstanding balance of a Rs. 9 million fine in an extortion case. Ranatunga has until February 1, 2027 to complete payment of the remaining portion of a Rs. 25 million penalty.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
Prasanna Ranatunga, a former government minister, has been given additional time by the Colombo High Court to settle his outstanding financial obligations stemming from a criminal conviction. The court order grants him until 01 February 2027 to pay Rs. 9 million of the Rs. 25 million fine imposed against him.
The conviction relates to an extortion case originating from a 2015 incident, in which Ranatunga allegedly threatened a businessman and made unlawful demands. The charges and subsequent legal proceedings have kept the former minister in the public eye amid broader scrutiny of political figures facing criminal allegations.
The case represents one of several instances in recent times involving former government officials caught up in legal controversies, drawing attention to accountability mechanisms within Sri Lanka's political establishment. The extended payment deadline suggests ongoing engagement between the courts and the defendant regarding settlement of the financial penalties imposed.
Ranatunga's compliance with the court-ordered deadline will be closely monitored as the February 2027 date approaches. The case continues to underscore issues of governance and accountability in the country's political sphere.