The Colombo District Court today further extended the enjoining order preventing Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Parliamentarian Hesha Withanage from making defamatory statements based on a draft report of the National Audit Office against Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and its office-bearers. This order will be effective until September 8.
The opposition MP, Hesha Withanage, had recently made statements regarding the expenditure involving the T20 Cricket World Cup in Australia last year.
SLC President Shammi Silva and its Secretary Mohan de Silva filed this lawsuit, naming Hesha Withanage as a defendant. They sought an injunction preventing the defendant parliamentarian from defaming them and SLC in any manner by making statements based on the draft report of the National Audit Office.
In their complaint, SLC President Shammi Silva and Mohan de Silva alleged that the defendant parliamentarian had made defamatory statements during a press conference held on July 23, 2023, causing grave injury and loss to the good name of Sri Lanka Cricket and the plaintiffs.
President’s Counsel Dinal Phillips, appearing for Parliamentarian Hesha Vithanage, informed the court that he is expecting to file objections against the enjoining order. Taking into consideration the facts, Colombo District Court Judge Sandun Vithana decided to further extend the enjoining order till September 8.
The plaintiffs stated that they have suffered loss and damage, which they assess at Rs. 500 million.
President’s Counsel Ronald Perera, instructed by Attorney-at-Law Sanjaya Fonseka, appeared for the plaintiffs.
