Ex-chief minister SM Ranjith files appeal against prison sentence
Former Chief Minister of the North Central Province, S.M. Ranjith, and his Private Secretary – Shanthi Chandrasena have filed an appeal, challenging the Colombo High Court’s judgment, which convicted them and imposed 16 years of rigorous imprisonment over a case filed by the Bribery Commission.
Ranjith and Mrs. Chandrasena, (who is also the spouse of former Minister S.M. Chandrasena) was sentenced to 16 years of rigorous imprisonment on corruption charges.
In addition to the prison sentence, Colombo High Court Judge Aditya Patabendige had also fined them Rs. 200,000 each , with an additional prison term imposed in case of default.
Through their appeals, the two appellants stated that they were seeking the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal to review and set aside their convictions and the sentences imposed by the Colombo High Court. The two appellants are also seeking an order to acquit and release them from the indictments. In their appeal applications, the appellants alleged that the High Court judge had failed to duly consider several pieces of evidence, including documentary evidence presented before the court.
