Hooliganism on TV station: SC grants leave to FR

The Supreme Court granted leave to proceed with the fundamental rights petition filed by leading electronic media complaining of alleged hooliganism perpetrated by goons led by a Municipal Councillor.

The Bench comprising Chief Justice Priyasath Dep, Justices Sisira J. De Abrew and Vijith K. Malalgoda granted leave to proceed to Petitioners MTV Channel Ltd. and MBC Networks Ltd. for the alleged violation of their fundamental rights under right to equality and equal protection of the law as well as right to the freedom to engage in lawful trade or enterprise. The Court fixed the argument on 30 January next year. 

Petitioners cited Colombo Municipal Councillor Kithsiri Rajapakse, Slave Island Police OIC, IGP and the Attorney General as Respondents.

President’s Counsel Sanjeeva Jayawardane with Rukshan Senatheera appeared for the Petitioners. S. Dassanayake appeared for the 1st Respondents. Deputy Solicitor General Sumathi Dharmawardana appeared for the other Respondents.

Petitioners state the 1st Respondent together with his supporters and associates with Machiavellian actuations surrounded the office premises and the newsroom and attacked the same by throwing a massive quantity of fire crackers aimed at intimidating the petitioners and their employees.

They state that the 1st Respondent with his supporters and associates also obstructed the van and media personnel who had in their possession contemporaneous video content of interviews of personnel of government and opposition Parliamentarians.

They point out that the interview was on the results of the no-confidence motion held on 4 April 2018.

They seek the Court for a declaration that their fundamental rights have been infringed and that their lawful occupation profession, trade, business or enterprise has been infringed.

They are also asking the Court to award them Rs. 50 million as compensation.

(SSS)