Attack on Journalists : FR petition to be taken up in January 2023

COLOMBO (News 1st); The fundamental rights application filed on behalf of eight journalists of MTV Channel (Private) Limited over the assault carried out against them on 9th July 2022, was taken up before the Supreme Court earlier today.

Journalists Sarasi Peiris, Waruna Sampath, Janith Mendis, T. Sinthujan, Imesh Sutherland, W. Weerakoon, V. Chandran and Lahiru Madhusanka Arachchi have been named as Petitioners.

Several parties including police officers and STF officers have been named as Respondents.

The matter was taken up before a bench comprising Supreme Court Justices Priyantha Jayawardena, A.H.M.D. Nawaz, and Mahinda Samayawardhena.

The Attorney General who appeared on behalf of the 1st  to 4th  Respondents i.e. I.G.P. Mr C. D. Wickremaratne, Senior D.I.G. Waruna Jayasundara, Senior D.I.G. Deshabandu Tennakoon, S.S.P. Romesh Liyanage, and for the 8th Respondent,  informed the Supreme Court that they will move to file limited objections, whilst the 6th and 7th Respondents also moved to file limited objections.

Counsel appearing on behalf of the 5th  Respondent i.e. S.S.P. Nizam Jamaldeen, informed the Supreme court that they have filed their objections and the Supreme Court directed to serve copy the Petitioners.

The Petitioners were allowed to file counter-objections.

President’s Counsel Uditha Egalahewa appeared on behalf of the eight Petitioners, with Damitha Karunarathne, Niranjan Arulpragasam, N.K.Ashokbharan and Miyuru Egalahewa instructed by Attorney-at-Law Charika Wanigabaduge.

The matter will be taken up on the 31st of January 2023.