JVP leader allowed to submit CD as evidence

Sandasen Marasinghe

COLOMBO: Colombo District Court Judge Aruna C. Ranasinghe allowed Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna leader Somawansa Amarasinghe to add a CD as evidence, subject to proof, in the case he filed against the Swarnavahini Television Channel.

Amarasinghe filed a case in 2005 before the Colombo District Court against EAP Networks (Pvt) Ltd alleging that a news telecast on October 11, 2005 was defamatory. Amarasinghe stated that the Swarnavahini quoted his speech in a way so that his speech was distorted and the message was misleading.

He submitted a CD of the entire speech as evidence. Amarasinghe in his plaint filed through Samararatne Associates said that he made a speech on September 20, 2005 at then Presidential Candidate Mahinda Rajapaksa’s rally at the Colombo Municipal ground.

Swarnavahini quoted his speech on October 11 in a defamatory manner. But later the defendants objected using a CD as evidence by the plaintiff.

Later on the Court that observed the defendants were aware of the fact that plaintiff submitted a CD as evidence from the outset of the case, allowed the plaintiff to use it as evidence subject to proof. Attorney-at-law Kapila Gamage appeared for the defendant.