The Colombo District Court yesterday issued an Enjoining Order preventing Minister Wimal Weerawansa and three electronic media institutions (Hiru Tv, DeranaTv and Suwarnawahini TV) from defaming All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) Leader MP Rishad Bathiudeen in connection with a statement made by Minister Weerawansa during a public gathering recently.
This order will be effective until March 30. Colombo District Court Judge Amali Ranaweera made this order pursuant to a libel lawsuit filed by MP Rishad Bathiudeen.
Plaintiff Rishad Bathiudeen states that, the first defendant Minister in a public speech held under the theme of โIslamic Extremism Beyond the Easter Commissionโ on March 9, 2021 had made a defamatory statement with malicious intent. He further said the statement made by Minister Wimal Weerawansa as the chief speaker of the event had been aired by three private television channels on the same day. The Plaintiff further pleads that by reason of the said defamatory statement, he has suffered grave injury and loss to his reputation, character and credit as an individual and as a politician.
Bathiudeen stated that he has suffered loss and damage which he assesses at One Billion rupees. Counsel Rushdhie Habeeb with Sandeepa Gamaethige, Raveena Silva instructed by counsel Evon Nirasha appeared for the plaintiff.
Leader of All Ceylon Makkal Congress