Driving licence of Asoka Ranwala revoked
20-Dec-2025.
The Mahara Magistrate’s Court has ordered the temporary suspension of the driver’s license of Ashoka Ranwala, a ruling-party Member of Parliament and former Speaker, after he drove negligently in the Sapugaskanda area and injured three people, including a six-month-old infant.
On the night of the Dec 11 at around 7:45 p.m., a jeep carrying former Speaker and MP Ashoka Ranwala collided with the rear of a motorcycle traveling ahead and also struck a car coming from the opposite direction in the Mawaramandiya–Thenimulla area under the Sapugaskanda Police Division.
In the accident, a six-month-old baby, the child’s 25-year-old mother, and the 55-year-old grandmother, who were traveling in the car, were injured.
Following the accident, Ashoka Ranwala, who was receiving treatment at Colombo Hospital, was arrested on the 12th and released on bail under an order from the Maligakanda Magistrate.
Investigations revealed that several senior police officers, including the Officer-in-Charge of the Sapugaskanda Police Station and the Traffic Division OIC, had neglected their duties.
Due to failure to follow proper procedures at the time of the accident and deficiencies in the investigation, the Inspector General of Police has ordered disciplinary action against the relevant officers. This decision followed public criticism of how the police handled the matter.
The case was taken up yesterday (19) before Additional Magistrate Bandara Ilangasinghe at the Mahara Magistrate’s Court (Court No. 2).
However, MP Ashoka Ranwala did not appear in court. His lawyer, Akalantha Ukkatha, submitted a medical report stating that Ranwala was continuing treatment in Ward No. 76 of the National Hospital, Colombo.
The magistrate questioned whether the injuries were to the suspect or to the complainants. Police stated that one woman had suffered a leg fracture, while the baby and another woman had completed treatment and returned home. The defense argued that the accident occurred due to the fault of three drivers, but investigations were being conducted against only one.
The lawyer informed the court that his client was willing to pay compensation to the victims, but the victims refused. After considering submissions from both sides, the magistrate ordered the temporary suspension of Ashoka Ranwala’s driver’s license.
The court also ordered that upon discharge from hospital, Ranwala must appear before the Department of Motor Traffic and obtain a medical report. The case is scheduled to be taken up again on January 16.
