Fonterra sues Heladiva

Sandasen Marasinghe

Fonterra Brands (Lanka) Pvt Ltd is suing the editor of the Heladiva Irida Sangrahaya newspaper before the Colombo District Court alleging an article published in the newspaper was defamatory of the company.

The plaintiff Fonterra Brands (Pvt) Ltd which imports and distributes a large number of milk powder varieties including Anchor cited Sayuri Newspapers, Sayuri Printers and Publishers and the editor of the Heladiva Irida Sangrahaya Darma Sri Kariyawasam as the defendants.

Colombo District Judge Samapath Wijeratne put off the order for today whether to issue enjoining order restraining defendants from publishing similar articles in future publications.

The plaintiff citing the plaint through Sudath Perera Associates submitted that they were importing, processing, packing and distributing milk powder under the names of Anchor, Ratti, Red Cow, Anmum, Anlene and Anchor Shape.

The plaintiff also submitted that an article appeared in the Heladiva Irida Sangrahaya on March 15, 2009 containing material that were false, baseless and misleading.

The contents of editorial of the same newspaper was based on the same facts. The paper also stated that another article would be published with more details in the forthcoming publication.

The plaintiff pleaded before the court to issue an enjoining order restraining the defendants from publishing similar articles with false details. The plaintiff claimed Rs 1000 million as damages.