June 18, Colombo: Sri Lanka's Supreme Court has ordered the Attorney General to file a charge sheet on the 30th of this month against Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake, who has been accused of insulting the judiciary.

Deputy Minister Ramanayake is accused of contempt of Court for making serious criticisms against the Courts and the legal profession saying that most of the lawyers and judges in the country are corrupt and they were ruining the country.

The case was called today (18) before a two-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Priyasath Dep and Justice Murdu Fernando.

The Additional Solicitor General Priyantha Navana who appeared on behalf of the Attorney General informed the Court that all Supreme Court judges have already observed that deputy minister Ranjan Ramanayake's statement was, at a glance, in contempt of court.

The Apex court ordered the Attorney General to draft a rule document before June 30th asking Ramanayake to show cause as to why he should not be punished for insulting the judiciary.

Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake is accused of making a statement to the media on the 21st of August last year alleging that the majority of the judges and lawyers have been identified as corrupt individuals.

Magalkande Sudantha Thero and a retired Air Force officer Sunil Perera had filed the case against the Deputy Minister.