The case filed by George Steuart Health Private Limited against MTV Channel Private Limited taken up

COLOMBO (News 1st): The case filed at the Colombo District Court by George Steuart Health Private Limited against MTV Channel Private Limited was taken up today, before Additional District judge Honourable Chathurika de Silva. Today, MTV Channel Private Limited, through its registered Attorney Mr. GG Arulpragasam, filed objections seeking to dismiss the Plaintiff’s action as well as the application for interim injunction with 500% costs. In addition, MTV Channel Private Limited filed its Answer, making a counter-claim for Rupees 20 Billion from George Steuart Health Private Limited as damages on the basis that the said George Steuart Health Private Limited had obtained an Ex Parte Enjoining Order suppressing material facts, misleading court, with malicious intentions and had abused misused the judicial process. MTV Channel Private Limited also stated by way of its answer that George Steuart Health Private Limited had, through its frivolous, baseless and malicious action, caused a serious loss, mischief, damage, and harm to News1st - MTV’s goodwill and reputation – adding that News1st MTV Channel is held in high esteem as a trusted media organisation both locally and internationally, and has won a plethora of accolades for its fearless reporting and investigative journalism for the benefit of the people. MTV in its Answer also stated that the Director of the Plaintiff company Haputhanthrige Erandajith Ranasinghe who affirmed to an affidavit, had wilfully, deliberately concocted claims, and with the intention to mislead court - affirmed to a false Affidavit relating to the five purported causes of action with the clear intention of evasion of the truth. Therefore, MTV Channel Private Limited reserved its right to file contempt of court papers in terms of Section 183(b) of the Civil Procedure Code and also reserved the right to charge the said Director of the Plaintiff Company under the provisions of the Penal Code. Having accepted the Statement of Objections and Answer of MTV Channel Private Limited, Court fixed the case for interim injunction inquiry on 8th January 2021 and directed the Plaintiff, George Steuart Health Private Limited, to file replication on the same day. President’s Counsel for the Defendant vehemently objected to the extension of the enjoining order and reiterated the extensive submissions which were made on the earlier occasion the case was taken up. In response, counsel for the plaintiff George Steuart Health Private Limited stated that as MTV Channel Private Limited has already filed objections in this regard, and that the case is fixed for inquiry. Having heard the submissions made by both parties, the court only extended the Enjoining Order until 30th December 2020, and ordered for the case to be called on 30th December 2020. In ordering so, the Hon. additional judge emphasised to the Plaintiff and the other party that this case will be taken up before the learned District Court judge in Court Number 1 on the next date. Uditha Egalahewa President's Counsel, Jeevantha Jayathilaka, Niranjan Arulpragasam, Damitha Karunaratne, N K Ashokbharan, Miyuru Egalahewa and several other counsels appeared for the MTV Channel Private Limited, instructed by G G Arulpragasam. Appearing for George Steuart Health Private Limited is Romesh de Silva PC and Ruwantha Cooray, instructed by Sanath Wijewardena.