Restraining order on NFF leader’s book

Chaminda Perera

The Commercial High Court in a restraining order yesterday prevented National Freedom Front leader Wimal Weerawansa from printing, publishing and promoting the book entitled Neththa Wenuwata Aththa - JVP Arbudaye Sebethathu.

Colombo High Court Judge K.T. Chitrasiri made this order when two separate petitions filed by JVP leader Somawansa Amarasinghe and General Secretary Tylvin Silva were taken up for hearing yesterday.

A notice was also issued on defendant Weerawansa to appear before court on August 7 and make his submissions.

Petitioners Amarasinghe and Tylvin Silva in their petitions cited that the defendant Weerawansa has violated the Intellectual Property Act and obtained undue privileges by the inclusion of eight articles in his book without permission from the JVP leader and the General Secretary.

They cited that the defendant through his book in question has challenged their intellectual property rights and sought a court order to pay a compensation of Rs. two billion for the economic damage caused to them.

They stated that these books are sold at Rs. 300 each and prayed Court to appoint a commission to calculate the profit gained by the defendant so far.

Attorneys at law Ali Sabeer and Irusha Kalidasa instructed by Paul Ratnayake Associates appeared for the petitioners.