Appeal to telecast Janapathi Janahamuwa fails again

Thursday, 8 January 2015 01:34 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Colombo High Court turns down appeal by Rupavahini, ITN and Swarnavahini The Colombo High Court yesterday turned down three appeals by two state-owned television channels and one private broadcaster seeking to overturn enjoining orders issued by the Kaduwela District Judge earlier this week. Three appeals were filed by the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, ITN and Swarnavahini in the Civil Appellate High Court of Colombo, seeking suspension of the order that prevented the telecast of Janapathi Janahamuwa on 5 January as campaigning ended. The enjoining order was obtained in response to a petition filed by opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena, who claimed the telecast would violate election laws since he was not being afforded equal airtime. Although papers were not served on the Common Candidate or his lawyers, his lawyers appeared before the Appeal Court and objected to the Appeal. Having heard lengthy submissions by all the lawyers the court decided that it could not set aside the enjoining order at this stage, and stated that they would be giving a ruling on 12 January on the preliminary objection raised by the common candidate’s lawyers. Therefore the enjoining orders issued by the District Court of Kaduwela continue to remain in force. Meanwhile an attempt to have the enjoining order suspended in the Kaduwela District Court was also rejected by the district court judge. Kushan de Alwis PC and Kaushalya Navaratne appeared for the TV stations. Ronald Perera PC, Nalin Amarajeewa, Chathura Galhena and Suren Fernando instructed by Sandun Gamage appeared for Sirisena. (DB)

Poll preparations

Ballot boxes being brought to polling stations across the country for today’s presidential election. A total of 66,100 Police personnel have been deployed for election duties and they will each be armed with a T56 weapon – Pix by Shehan Gunasekara

First election fatality

Violence in the 2015 presidential poll claimed its first fatality on election eve, when Shantha Dodangoda succumbed to his injuries after a shooting in Kahawatta last week. Ratnapura resident Dodangoda, a father of three was critically injured when gunshots were fired while a stage was being erected for an Opposition rally in Kahawatte. Two other persons were injured in the shooting, polls monitors said. The Kahawatte Magistrate has ordered the arrest of Deputy Minister Premalal Jayasekara over the violence. However, police have been unable to make the arrest so far.