Actor Hemal Ranasinghe has been released under conditions following a settlement reached over an alleged assault involving film critic Lakmina Ranasinghe.
Mount Lavinia Magistrate Kanchana Neranjala Silva ordered his release on Thursday (10) after a report from the Mediation Board was presented before court.
Under the settlement, Hemal Ranasinghe agreed to accept responsibility for the assault and apologise to Lakmina Ranasinghe. The film critic, in turn, agreed to forgive the actor.
As part of the agreement, Hemal Ranasinghe is prohibited from insulting, defaming or making disparaging remarks about Lakmina Ranasinghe through the media or social media platforms.
He also agreed to pay Rs. 500,000 in compensation to the film critic.
However, Senior Counsel Ajith Pathirana, appearing for Lakmina Ranasinghe, told court that the film critic continued to face insults and allegedly defamatory comments on social media despite the terms of the settlement.
Pathirana further informed court that the Rs. 500,000 compensation paid by Hemal Ranasinghe would be donated to Maharagama Apeksha Hospital, with the consent of the affected party.
