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MTV challenges SLPP ‘Letter of Demand’ as strong-arm tactics
View(s):SLPP candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s lawyer has urged Sirasa TV to refrain from distorting a verdict delivered by the Central District of California in the United States over a case instituted by Ms. Ahimsa Wickrematunge over the assassination of her father, Lasantha Wickremathunge, the slain Editor of the Sunday Leader newspaper, but the TV channel has defended its broadcast of the news related to the case.
Attorney at law Senarath Weragoda has written to the head of Sirasa that after a detailed hearing the District Court in California had dismissed the case on October 17, 2019 following a motion being filed that the court had no jurisdiction to hear the case.
He said that parts of the court ruling was being distorted with false claims.
He said that at a press conference given by Dr Rajitha Senaratne and Attorney-at-law Shiral Lakthilaka a claim was made that it has been admitted that the assassination had been carried out on behalf of the Sri Lankan government which is a distortion of facts to mislead the public.
He said there was no such findings made by the District Court and therefore the statement was false.
He said wide publicity had been given to the statements by Dr Senaratne and Mr Lakthilaka on Sinhala and English news bulletins and also on the website and on Youtube.
He said four distinguished President’s Counsels had shared their legal opinion at a press conference on the matter, but the channel had failed to give any publicity to their statements.
He said such false statements should not be used against one of the leading contestants at the upcoming elections.
MTV defending itself said that the media institution had given adequate prominence to the candidate in its routine election coverage and the controversial remarks made against the candidate, by certain politicians, are merely of their own opinions, not of the institution.
Attorney-at-Law T.R.W. Gunasekara on behalf of the channel wrote to the lawyer representing Mr Rajapaksa, countering the allegations.
Stressing that details of this particular case are common knowledge, MTV pointed out that it is also known in the public domain that, this particular case had been dismissed by the US Court on the basis, inter alia that Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, being the Defendant to the said action, was entitled to Common Law foreign official immunity and that, the US District Court lacked subject jurisdiction in the matter.
The letter states that, specific contents of the pleadings in the case, nor the exact details of the judgment of that court, were not matters that were known, the SLPP lawyer annexed a purported, uncertified and unverified document, which appeared to be that the case had been dismissed.
The lawyer for MTV also said that his client is shocked and dismayed that a lawyer representing the SLPP candidate, thought it fit to write a dubious letter, which is “nothing less than an attempt to intimidate, threaten, bind and gag a prominent media institution.” Regarding the four President’s Counsels (PCs) who have expressed their views on the judgment given by the US court, MTV urged the SLPP lawyer to send a letter in writing, requesting to telecast the said discussion, “without resorting to conjectural and speculative allegations.”
The network also stressed further that it has neither the inclination nor imperative or motive to cause any form of prejudice to either Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa or any other candidates, but its only concern is with the freedom of speech, the Right to Information, and to allow the constituency to make an informed and intelligent decision to choose the candidate of their choice.