Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa condemned social media predictions about legal proceedings, calling them contempt of court and a grave threat to democracy, after visiting former President Ranil Wickremesinghe in prison.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has warned that making predictions on social media regarding the outcome of legal proceedings amounts to contempt of court and poses a serious threat to Sri Lanka’s democracy.
Speaking to the media this morning (23) after visiting former President Ranil Wickremesinghe at New Magazine Prison, Premadasa said that no third party has the right to forecast judicial outcomes while the process of justice is ongoing.
“A third party not mentioned in the law cannot predict the final outcome of the law at a time when the process of justice and the rule of law are being implemented. It is a very dangerous situation and in order to protect democracy, people must have confidence that the law is being implemented correctly,” he said.
Premadasa stressed that both the enforcement of the law and public trust in that enforcement are crucial, warning that social media speculation undermines the credibility of the legal process.
“The implementation of the country’s law should be carried out in a transparent and depoliticized manner, and it should be done as it actually happens. Otherwise, it is illegal for third parties to come out and declare what the outcome will be. Immediate action must be taken against such conduct,” Premadasa added.
He also assured that Wickremesinghe’s health condition was stable following his visit. “I met him. He is fine. His health condition should be protected, and we believe the medicines will be administered,” he said.
