The Mount Lavinia Civil Appellate High Court issued an order on November 14 to former cricket captain and former Minister Arjuna Ranatunga to pay compensation in a sum of Rs. 25 million to former Sri Lanka Cricket President and former Deputy Speaker Thilanga Sumathipala for making defamatory and false statements against the latter, during a media conference.
The Civil Appellate High Court issued this order after taking up the petition filed by Thilanga Sumathipala stating that he was insulted and defamed by statements made by former cricket captain Arjuna Ranatunga during a press conference held in 2003.
Sumathipala filed a case against Arjuna Ranatunga before the Nugegoda District Court stating that the relevant media conference was conducted in maliciously and demanded a compensation of Rs.500 million from Ranatunga.
The Nugegoda District Court which heard the complaint ruled that the plaintiff had been prejudiced and defamed by the defendant at the media conference. As the District Court had not issued an order to provide compensation to the plaintiff Thilanga Sumathipala he had appealed to the Civil Appellate High Court.
Gamini Marapana, PC, Navin Marapana PC and Attorney Thanuja Meeghawatte appeared on behalf of the plaintiff, while Senior Counsel Atula Herath appeared for Arjuna Ranatunga.
by dailynews sri lanka
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