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Case against Dhammika Ranatunga amicably settled

The case against Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Chairman Dhammika Ranatunga that he allegedly threatened the media in the premises of the Colombo High Court on March 16 was yesterday amicably settled before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.

When the case came up before Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya, both parties expressed their willingness to settle the case.

At an earlier occasion, the matter was referred to the Mediation Board on the instructions of the Chief Magistrate.

Ranatunga had reportedly threatened several journalists including photo journalist Subramaniam Gunaratnam of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) when his brother Nishantha Ranatunga's bail application was to be taken up for order.

Filing a B report before Chief Magistrate Pilapitiya, Keselwatta Police had named the SLPA chairman as a suspect. Police alleged that he had committed an offence under section 486 of the Penal Code.

Photo journalist Gunaratnam had lodged a complaint with Keselwatta Police in this regard alleging that he was threatened with death by Ranatunga, when the photo journalist was taking video footage outside the court room.

Senior Counsel Asela Rekawa appeared on behalf of the complainant. The suspect had paid Rs. 200,000 to treat four critically injured patients following a request of the complainant.