AG's opinion sought in defamation case

[TamilNet, Thursday, 13 January 2000, 11:53 GMT]
Criminal Investigation Departmental Officers have sought the opinion of the Attorney General (AG) in respect of the Report of the investigations into the complaint made by President Chandrika against Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge.

This was revealed when the matter came up for hearing before Colombo Chief Magistrate G.D.Kulathileke.

State Counsel Ransiri Fernando submitted to court that President Chandrika made a complaint to the CID on August 18, last year that articles defaming her had been published in the Sunday Leader of which Lasantha Wickrematunge was the Chief Editor.

Mr.Fernando continued that the investigations had revealed that the statements attributed to the President had in fact not been made by the President.

The application made by President's Counsel Daya Perera that his client be allowed to appear in Court when noticed was not allowed as the prosecution objected.

State Counsel Ransiri Fernando appeared with CID for the prosecution.

President's Counsel Daya Perera, with Joseph Charles, Tikiri Banda, Arjun Premaratne, and Gajan Ponnambalam appeared for Sunday Leader Editor.