AG ordered to report if recordings released to media while in police custody

Nugegoda Magistrate U.K. Palpola yesterday ordered the Attorney General to report to the court after examining whether the audio recordings of former state minister Ranjan Ramanayake were released to the media when they were in police custody and in the form of case productions.

The Magistrate said Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris who appeared on behalf of the Attorney General will be bestowed the task to look into the issue. He also said the court has no authority to prevent media from publishing the said audio recordings and that there were separate legal provisions in this regard.

The Magistrate made these orders when the case against MP Ramanayake over violating the Firearms Ordinance by keeping a firearm with an expired licence in his possession was taken up.  (Nimanthi Ranasinghe)