Sri Lanka Ports Authority Chairman Dhammika Ranatunga was released on bail with a severe warning by the Colombo Magistrate's Court today over threatening a journalist outside the Colombo High Court on March 16.

He was released on two sureties of Rs 100,000 each.

The Magistrate reprimanded Ranatunga, saying that being a member of a respected family, he should take more care of his behavior. If he behaves in this manner outside a court, one cannot expect him to behave any differently in his work place, the Magistrate also commented.

Meanwhile, the Magistrate also reprimanded the police for failing to obtain a statement from Ranatunga.

The case was forwarded to the Mediation Board and the next hearing was fixed for July 28.