Daily News article deemed defamatory

[TamilNet, Friday, 07 January 2000, 18:55 GMT]
An article published by Daily News Under the heading "Renegade Politico alleged to be involved with LTTE" was defamatory said Parliamentarian Ravi Karunanayaka in a 500 Million Rupee lawsuit filed in Colombo District Court.

Additional District Judge N.Yogasigamany issued notice on the defendant Newspaper establishment and its Editor to appear on January 18.

Attorney at Law G.G.Arulpragasam appearing for the plaintiff Parliamentarian Ravi Karunanayake filed the complaint.

The complaint stated that the article conveyed to the readers an impression that the plaintiff Ravi Karunanayake was a person allegedly involved with proscribed terrorist organization, that he wa involved with persons engaged in smuggling of humans for personal gains, that he was a person engaged in smuggling and that together with a proscribed organization he is involved in the extortion of money for the purchase of weapons.

The complaint continued that the defendant newspaper published the article acting with animus injuriandi towards the plaintiff and with express malice, the plaint concluded.

President's Counsel Romesh de Silva with Aritha Wickremanayake and Chanaka de Silva instructed by G.G.Arulpragasam appeared for the plaintiff.