Cameraman granted bail over alleged attack on Ranil's security officer

02-Oct-2026

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The Fort Magistrate's Court has granted bail to a cameraman arrested for allegedly assaulting a security officer attached to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe with a camera outside the court premises.

The incident occurred when a case against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and his former Secretary to the President, Saman Ekanayake, concerning the alleged misuse of Rs. 166 million in public funds to undertake a visit to the United Kingdom, was taken up for hearing at the Fort Magistrate's Court on September 30.

Former President Wickremesinghe and his wife, Maithree Wickremesinghe, were present in court during the proceedings.

After the hearing concluded, the incident took place near the main entrance of the Fort Magistrate's Court as the former President was leaving the premises.

The cameraman, employed by a media organisation, allegedly struck Police Sergeant A. H. Mahesh Ranjan on the head with a camera. The sergeant was attached to the Presidential Security Division and had been assigned to the former President's security detail.

The incident was also recorded by cameras operated by other journalists nearby, and the footage has been widely circulated on social media.

Following the incident, the injured police sergeant lodged a complaint with the police and was admitted to the police hospital in Narahenpita for treatment.

The police initiated an investigation based on the complaint. Acting on a notice issued by the police on the day of the incident, the cameraman appeared at the Kompanna Veediya Police Station accompanied by a lawyer and was arrested.

He was subsequently produced before the Fort Magistrate's Court and released on bail. Kompanna Veediya Police are conducting further investigations into the incident.