|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Tuesday, 1 March 2005 |
 |
|
 |
News | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
by Wasantha Ramanayake The Fundamental Rights application filed by Thilak Karunarathne against Rupavahini was terminated before the Supreme Court yesterday. The Bench comprised Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva PC and Justices Nimal Dissanayake and Raja Fernando. The Rupavahini agreed to refund Thilak Karunarathne the charges for the four spot advertisements that had not been telecast. In terms of the settlement the Rupavahini agreed to withdraw the implication of one of the objections i.e. late Soma Thera's last speech would be detrimental to the racial and religious harmony and the rights and freedoms guaranteed under the Article 15 of the Constitution. In turn the petitioner agreed to withdraw the implications of the averments i.e. the four spot advertisements were not telecast on the political grounds. Petitioner Thilak Karunarathne then filed the application in the capacity of the General Secretary of the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) against the Rupavahini for its failure to telecast four spot advertisements that contained the clippings of last speech of late Soma Thera claimed to have been delivered on September 14, 2003 at Dalada Maligawa, Kandy. He stated that he entered into an agreement with Rupavahini to telecast six spot advertisements of the last speech delivered by late Soma Thera as part of their election campaign during the last General Election. In terms of the agreement JHU had paid Rs. 371,450 to telecast six spot advertisements of the speech on March 30, 2004; however, it had been only telecast twice. He alleged that Rupavahini without giving any reason and making any attempt to refund it had not telecast the rest, in violation of the rights of the petitioner. Petitioner Thilak Karunarathne cited Rupavahini, its Director General Nishantha Ranatunga and the Attorney General as respondents. Manohara de Silva appeared for the petitioner. President's Counsel Nigel Hatch with K. Geekiyanage appeared for the first and second respondents. Senior State Counsel Demuni de Silva appeared for the AG. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
