Judge directs News Editor to produce news bulletin text

Sarath Malalasekera and Charumini de Silva

The Colombo Fort Magistrate and Additional District Judge Lanka Jayaratne yesterday directed the News Editor of Sirasa TV to produce the full text of the TV telecast on July 21 news bulletin recorded at a private hospital where Sarath Fonseka received medical treatment.

The judge made this order on an application by the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) who informed the court that Sarath Fonseka had spoken to the media at the hospital premises when he went to the hospital for treatment.

Sirasa had telecast this text over their news bulletin on July 21, 2011, the CCD officials told court. Directing Sirasa to produce the cassette the judge put off further hearing for August 29, 2011.