The National People’s Power Lawyers say criticism of the court order on Ranil Wickremesinghe’s arrest could ironically keep him behind bars, turning Sri Lanka’s justice system into yet another stage for political drama.
The National People’s Power Lawyers Association (NPP Lawyers) held a special media briefing on August 24, warning against escalating criticisms directed at the Fort Magistrate’s Court over the remanding of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
Attorney Akalanka Ukwatta of the NPP Lawyers stressed that public statements challenging the order, particularly outside the confines of Parliament, could amount to contempt of court. He cautioned that if such criticisms snowball into wider public uproar, it could even undermine Wickremesinghe’s chances of securing bail.
Attorney Upul Kumarapperuma, who presented the case to court, was more blunt. He said the opposition’s media conferences following Wickremesinghe’s arrest amounted to undue influence on the judiciary and represented a direct insult to the legal system.
Kumarapperuma further emphasized that this kind of influence penetrates the social fabric, eroding public confidence in judicial independence. He accused the opposition of politicizing the incident to score points, while ordinary citizens risk losing faith in the system’s ability to act impartially.
The NPP Lawyers reiterated that legal processes must remain free of political spin, warning that attempts to manipulate the narrative outside the courtroom could backfire, not only on the opposition but also on Wickremesinghe himself.
