The District Court of Kaduwela issued enjoining orders against ITN, Rupavahini, Swarnavahni and Derana from broadcasting “Janapathi Janahamuwa” or similar program today or any day upto 8th January as it favours incumbent president and common candidate or other candidates were not afforded similar airtime and would violate elections commissioner’s media directives.
Ronald Perera PC with Nalin Amarajeewa and Suren Fernando appeared for the Plaintiff.
Paul / January 5, 2015
As long as there are some crumbs of democracy left like this, there is still hope for Sri Lanka.
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Pena Kiyanna / January 5, 2015
This Kaduwela magistrate is [Edited out]. The decision will be appealed to a higher court and [Edited out]
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srilal / January 5, 2015
Rajitha reveals every thing , bad luck MR , almost all the dirty work which you have planned getting busted , only two days left , pack your bags Mr President !
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=782072901828763&pnref=story
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kk / January 5, 2015
Sri lal
Day dream until 8 of January , then wake up and see who is still president
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Suresh / January 5, 2015
Mr President, your time in office is over. People are very keen to see a real change. We hope that you will pack your bags and leave with respect. People have made up their minds to vote for Maithri. All latest election forecasts tell us Maithri is leading far ahead of you. It is reported that Maithri will get more than 58% vote this time. The breakdown of vote bank in percentage has been made in the following format.
1) UNP (United National Party) 34%.
2) JHU (Jathika Hela Urumaya) 3%
3) DP (Democratic Party) 3%
4) TNA (Tamil National Alliance) 6%
5) SLMC (Sri Lanka Muslim congress) 5%
6) JVP (Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna) 4%
7) UPFA (United People Freedom Party) 3%
Today, only a very few people think in communal line, most of the Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims and others want to liberate the country from the grip of Rajapakshe’s family dictatorship.
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srilal / January 6, 2015
KK ,
Day dreaming ? why the hell Shashindra Rajapaksa fled the country then ? all the MR lackeys will come to their senses only on the 9 th morning , till then let me day dream for a world without Rajapakses ,KK or whoever hang on mate for another 48 hours ,let’s see who is day dreaming !
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Estate Labourer / January 5, 2015
The elections will be over by then.
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Amarasiri / January 5, 2015
If Fair election with No Fraud
Mahinda Rajapaksa
Best Average Worst
0.592 0.4465 0.301
59% 45% 30%
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Abu Mukarram / January 5, 2015
Everything seems to be working in good order and can hope for change it seems. God willing
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patriot / January 5, 2015
My3 seems to know he is going to lose. Anyway, without these programs also cannot win my3.
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Navin / January 5, 2015
Your3 have always failed, Patriot. Perhaps you should try a Viagra program. Please note no money-back guarantee.
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Taraki / January 5, 2015
….or he could try abhi-shaker my3
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Dom / January 5, 2015
I hope the state-media respects its the orders.
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dcn / January 5, 2015
It is a great news for peace lovers. Justice has prevailed. These instituitions must respect this order and act accordingly.
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Mithura / January 5, 2015
At least this time we can see that there are some people doing the right thing and being fair.
The one sided campaigning last time, where posters and decorations ONLY belonging to the Rajapaksas were seen and others torn down by goons, were very unfair. If our officials did their duty and acted honestly, then the people of Sri Lanka might have a chance of a fair election.
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georgethebushpig / January 5, 2015
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Plato. / January 5, 2015
The Million dollar question is whether the state media will carry out the orders of the court or carry out the Presidents directive.This is the reason why a change is an urgent need,to restore RULE OF LAW.
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douglas / January 6, 2015
This decision by a District Court, if I remember correct, a FIRST in relation to violation of Election Laws by Public Institutions will definitely go down in the history books. The general public of this country must hail this as a rear victory, yet a landmark in the Judiciary.
Connected with this decision, my thoughts are reflected on some other issues involved in the subject matter of the case. These “Public Institution” such as the SLBC, Rupavahini etc.have been directly involved in promoting only one candidate and he is no other than the sitting President. It is the primary function of the Heads of these institutions to conduct the affairs in accordance with the laid down regulations and more than any other to “Honour and Comply” with the Laws of the country in relation to the forthcoming election. Those “Heads” especially of the SLBC and Rupavahini have been acting and directing the affairs entrusted to them with such arrogance giving us the impression “who the hell” are you listeners?
Then when it comes to the very candidate – the sitting President, has not shown any regard or respect to the Law in relation to the elections. Has he set an example to the rest? NO. That itself shows how the Highest Executive of the country behaves and it is nothing but “immoral” and “disgraceful”. So what more we could expect from such a candidate in the future, if he is to wins?
The next point is: I blame all these on the “system” that prevails. If our laws and systems are provided for the requirement to immediately and automatically relinquish the position once the election is declared and entrust all the responsibilities and duties in a body on a “Caretaker Position”, all these “misuse” and blatant violations of Laws of the country will never arise. At present the incumbent having declared election and contesting for the very same position once again continues to exercise all the powers attached to the Executive Presidency. He is given “carte blanche” to use all public resources that are at his disposal, in his favour. This is the big “HELL HOLE” our country has to “concrete and cemented”. Hope this issue would be addressed in due course.
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upali / January 6, 2015
Hail ! District judge of Kaduwela. your decision will be written in the history of SL as that which saved DEMOCRACY.
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Chandra / January 6, 2015
Time magazine in 1973 chose a little known low-level judge John J Sirica as the man of the year. He was the person who heard the watergate scandal case which ultimately led to the resignation of Richard Nixon. John J Sirica reminds me of the Kaduwela District Judge, a rare breed in the present system. hats off to you sir
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Silly Me / January 7, 2015
This is a standard enjoining order that any one should be able to obtain. The implication in highlighting the action is that the timing of the same has some strategic value and that it favours the person who obtained it at the expense of the sitting President and that no Judge who thinks of himself would issue such order. But it can also be argued that whatever be the promises of Good-Governance, if in the minds of a person who thinks of himself and that he thinks that MY3 will win the elections would he not follow the standard procedure to his advantage? (JR promised the Dharmista Samajaya and what did we get when he departed? A country engulfed with anarchy.)
Whatever, be the ifs and buts, assuming that the law of the land prevails at all times irrespective of who wins the elections and if the respondent maintains one of the following, namely, that it did not intend to broadcast that program on those days; or the EC directive is not applicable to it; or both and that the enjoining order was obtained wrongfully then what would be the cost the petitioner has to incur for payment as damages to the respondent? It would be an interesting question, academically, that should it be held that the order was obtained wrongfully and that the damages should be paid and in the event the petitioner wins the elections, to what extent would the immunity from legal action of a President be applicable in this instance when it comes to the order of payment of damages.
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Samantha / January 8, 2015
Mr got shit on his face by this great act!
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