Law & Justice
Actor Hemal Ranasinghe Settles Assault Case Against Film Critic, Ordered to Pay Compensation to Cancer Hospital
By Today News Hours Editorial Desk
Mount Lavinia Magistrate's Court has accepted a settlement between actor Hemal Ranasinghe and film critic Lakmina Ranasinghe, resolving a case involving assault and criminal intimidation charges. Ranasinghe, who admitted to the charges, apologised to the complainant and agreed to pay Rs. 500,000 in compensation, which is to be donated to the Maharagama Cancer Hospital, with a receipt to be submitted to the court afterward.
The Magistrate released Ranasinghe but warned him against any further conduct that could insult or defame Lakmina Ranasinghe. The court noted that social media posts related to the pending case, which appeared prejudicial to the complainant, were inappropriate, and cautioned Ranasinghe to ensure neither he nor his associates repeated such behaviour. The Magistrate also remarked that violent acts belong in films and dramas, not real life, stating that the law does not permit such conduct outside fiction.
The case stemmed from an incident on January 8, 2026, at the Havelock City cinema complex following the premiere of the film Faad, where Ranasinghe allegedly assaulted Lakmina Ranasinghe on the head, neck, shoulder, and back in front of several entertainment industry figures. The dispute reportedly arose from a review Lakmina Ranasinghe wrote about the film Maria, which did not mention Ranasinghe or include his photo.
According to Lakmina Ranasinghe's police statement, actress Chandani Seneviratne and Dilan Senanayake witnessed the assault, with Seneviratne attempting to intervene. Following the incident, Lakmina Ranasinghe filed a complaint with the Wellawatte Police and received inpatient treatment at Kalubowila Hospital.
Ranasinghe did not respond to police requests for nearly a month, later explaining through his lawyers that he had lost his mobile phone and had filed a related police complaint. He appeared before police on February 3, 2026, was arrested, and was later released on Rs. 100,000 surety bail by the Magistrate after pleading not guilty.
During a May 14 hearing, President's Counsel Upul Kumarapperuma, representing Ranasinghe, described the incident as a minor dispute between friends. Senior Counsel Ajith Pathirana, representing Lakmina Ranasinghe, disagreed, citing consistent medical evidence, CCTV footage, and eyewitness accounts. The Wellawatte Police later issued notice regarding CCTV footage of the incident to be presented as evidence. The case was subsequently referred to the Mediation Board.
At mediation, Ranasinghe admitted to the offences, apologised, and agreed to the compensation payment. In today's hearing, Counsel Pathirana informed the court that a key settlement condition—barring further insult or defamation against his client—had been violated through social media posts made by individuals in the entertainment industry, including someone described as a close friend of the accused. He submitted copies of Facebook and other posts to the Magistrate, alleging they justified the assault and defamed his client.
Defence counsel objected, stating Ranasinghe had no knowledge of or control over posts made by others, adding that photographs with fans do not imply personal association. Pathirana also argued that the assault itself violated his client's freedom of expression, which the settlement was meant to protect. Defence counsel denied any such interference.
The court examined the submitted materials and ultimately accepted the settlement, ordering Ranasinghe's release.