Three media institutions – Wimal Weerawansa banned from false propaganda against Bathiudeen

The Colombo District Court issued an injunction yesterday (16), restraining Minister Wimal Weerawansa and three other electronic media institutions from issuing false and malicious statements insulting former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen.

The enjoining order was issued by Colombo District Judge Aruna Aluthge after hearing a complaint lodged by former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen.

The enjoining order also applies to Derana Macro Entertainment, Asia Broadcasting and EAP Network Pvt. Ltd., which have been named as respondents in the petition.

Former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, who appeared before the court through Attorney-at-Law Rushdie Habib, mentioned that, at a conference on “Islamic Extremism and the Easter Commission to you” held in Colombo on the 9th March, Minister Wimal Weerawansa has made a false and malicious statement regarding former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen.

Former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen states that his reputation has been tarnished due to this.

Former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen pointed out that the statement was made public by the respondent media institution on the news broadcast that night and said that he had been severely insulted and prejudiced by it.

Accordingly, the petition was filed by former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen on the basis of the defamatory statement on which the case is based, seeking an injunction and a permanent interim injunction, restraining the respondents from publishing malicious and false statements against him.

After considering these facts, the District Court issued the enjoining order and issued notices to the respondents regarding the permanent interim injunction