ABC files writ application

Wasantha RAMANAYAKE

Asia Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) yesterday filed a writ application in the Court of Appeal challenging Media Ministry decision to withdraw its broadcasting licence and the frequencies.

The petitioner company stated that the Media Ministry had temporarily withdrawn the licences and the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (TRC) had withdrawn frequencies pending an inquiry after broadcasting a certain news item through its radio channels on October 24.

The petitioner complained that the news had been broadcast over their radio channels Hiru and Shaa FM in the public interest and had been confirmed by the Army Media Spokesman. The petitioner stated that certain other radio channels as well as newspapers had carried the same news.

The petitioner claimed that the news was accurate and not in breach of any condition or restrictions in the licence and sought to quash the decision.

The petitioner cited Mass Media and Information Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa, Ministry Secretary A. Dissanayake, the TRC and its Director General Kanchana Ratwatte as respondents.

Sudath Perera Associates filed the petition.