The former director of the Criminal Investigation Department, retired Senior Superintendent of Police Shani Abeysekera, has filed a defamation case demanding 500 million rupees from veteran television anchor Chamuditha Samarawickrama.
The case has been filed on the grounds of defamation and emotional distress caused to Shani Abeysekera due to a malicious and defamatory statement made by Chamuditha Samarawickrama on one of his morning TV programmes.
He made this allegedly false allegation in a report prepared based on an incident that occurred at the Gampaha court.
The well-known TV anchor aired the footage in the morning programme of the Hiru TV channel on October 19, 2021. Therefore, a defamation case has been filed, claiming compensation to the tune of Rs 500 million.
Chamuditha Samarawickrama has been named as the first defendant in this case filed in the Colombo District Court, and Asia Broadcasting Corporation, which owns Hiru Channel, has been named as the second defendant.
When Shani Abeysekera went to the Gampaha court concerning another case, a person named Sugath Lakmi, who was arrested by the CID on another matter, allegedly accused Shani Abeysekera in a video footage.
Abeysekeara vehemently denied the accusations and said that he did not arrest such a person nor did he proceed to Malaysia for the arrest.
Through his case, Shani Abeysekara has alleged that his reputation was maliciously tarnished as a renowned and dutiful officer who conducted a number of crucial investigations while in the police service.
A band of lawyers, including Dilruksi Dias Wickramasinghe PC, is representing Shani Abeysekera, and lawyer Anusha Dheerasekera has submitted this complaint.
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