Legal fraternity condemns YouTubers’s prediction on former President’s arrest

23 August 2025 11:30 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 25 Bookmark

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The legal community strongly criticized and condemned comments made by YouTuber Sudantha Thilakasiri, popularly known as “Sudaa,” regarding the possible arrest and remanding of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, describing the remarks as an affront to the country’s judicial system and law enforcement authorities.

In a recent social media post, Thilakasiri declared that if former President Wickremesinghe appeared before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Friday (22) to give a statement, it would be “mandatory” for authorities to arrest him, produce him before court, and remand him for 14 days. He further claimed that if this did not happen, he would cease producing YouTube programmes.

Condemning these remarks, President’s Counsel Ali Sabry, in a Facebook message, described the prediction as “deeply troubling” and indicative of a dangerous political culture.

“Such actions reflect a disturbing trend of vindictive and destructive politics which undermines our institutions and our future. This cycle of hatred and retribution must end. Sri Lanka deserves a politics of reason, stability and gratitude to those who have time and again safeguarded the nation,” Sabry said.

Senior Counsel and Civil Society activist Namal Rajapaksha also expressed concern, stating that such conduct directly undermines the credibility of the country’s legal system.

“What he is trying to convey is that he is in the inner circle of decision-makers in this government. Such conduct should be condemned,” Rajapaksha told the Daily Mirror.

A senior lawyer, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted that Thilakasiri’s remarks could amount to contempt of court, as they attempt to predict judicial outcomes. He drew parallels with the case of former Parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayake, who was found guilty by the Supreme Court in his second contempt of court case for commenting publicly on an ongoing legal matter concerning the dissolution of Parliament in October 2018.

“Similar charges can be framed against such individuals for insulting and damaging the reputation of the judiciary,” the lawyer stressed.