FR petition filed by MTV/MBC to be taken up in October

Colombo (News1st): The fundamental rights petition filed by MTV Channel Private Limited and MBC Network Private Limited against intimidating the Sirasa Media and obstructing media freedom will be taken up for argument by the Supreme Court on the 24th of October. The fundamental rights petition was taken up before the bench comprising of Justices, L.T.B.Dehideniya, Murdu Fernando and S.Thurairajah. Both Colombo Municipal Councilor Kithsiri Rajapaksa, named as the first respondent in the petition, and his attorney were not present in court today (Jan 30). President's Counsel Sanjeewa Jayawardena appearing for the petitioner presenting facts to the court said the first respondent was ordered by the court to file objections against the petition on the 30th of September, however, it was only filed 04 months after the deadline. On the night of the 04th of April 2018 when a no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister was taken up for debate, a group lit firecrackers opposite the MTV/MBC Head Office premises causing obstruction and intimidation. It was revealed the group was led by Colombo Municipal Councilor Kithsiri Rajapaksa and when the petition on the matter was considered by a bench including Former Chief Justice Priyasad Depp, it was decided to take up the petition filed by MTV Channel Private Limited and MBC Network Private Limited on the 29th of June.