Defamatory plaint withdrawn

Sandasen MARASINGHE

United National Party Parliamentarian Ravi Karunanayake yesterday agreed before the Colombo District Judge Sampath Wijeratne to terminate the defamatory plaint he filed against JVP Parliamentarian Sunil Handunnetti.

Karunanayake agreed to terminate the case following Handunnetti expressing his regret for the pain of mind caused to him from the content of the interview given by Handunnetti to the Independent Television Network and the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation on October 14, 2001.

Handunnetti further stated that he never intended to defame Karunanayake.

Plaintiff Karunanayake on an earlier date filed a plaint stating that the content of the interview given by Sunil Handunnetti to the ITN and the Rupavahini was defamatory about him.

President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva with Sugath Caldera appeared for the plaintiff instructed by G.G. Arul Praghasam while Sunil Watagala appeared for the defendant.