An attorney accused of insulting and threatening a police officer inside court premises has walked out on bail, with conditions that sound more like polite warnings than real deterrents.
Attorney Gunaratne Wanninayake has been released on bail after being accused of verbally insulting and threatening a police officer while on duty inside court. The incident sparked sharp concern about the boundaries of professional conduct and respect for law enforcement within judicial settings.
Appearing before the Magistrate, Wanninayake was granted bail on two surety bonds of Rs. 500,000 each, a sum that highlights the gravity of the charges yet provides him the comfort of walking free for now. The court, however, laid down a clear condition that if the suspect attempts to influence or intimidate any witness, the bail will be revoked immediately.
The Magistrate further ordered the suspect attorney to present himself before the Western Province South Crime Division tomorrow morning before 9.00 am to give his statement, a requirement that underscores the ongoing seriousness of the investigation.
This case has already triggered heated discussions about accountability, professionalism and the credibility of the legal profession when its own members face accusations of misconduct inside the very halls meant to uphold justice.
While the legal process continues, the release of Gunaratne Wanninayake will remain a reminder of the thin line between privilege and accountability in Sri Lanka’s justice system.
