Gotabhaya’s defamation case against Lasantha fixed for trial

The Mount Lavinia District Judge Mahinda Samayawardena fixed the trial in the defamation suit filed by Defence Secretary, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa against the editor of the Sunday Leader newspaper for October 10.
In this case Mr. Rajapaksa cited the Sunday Leader Editor, Lasanatha Wickramatunga of Kandawatta Terrace, Nugegoda and Leader Publications (Pvt) Ltd as defendants. In his plaint the plaintiff had complained his reputation and goodwill was damaged due to the articles published on July 5 and September 2, 2007 in the Sunday Leader Newspaper and claimed Rs 1000 millions as damages.
He stated that he served the Sri Lanka Army as a lieutenant for two years during 1971 and 1972 and was a person with an unblemished character. According to the purported newspaper report, it was alleged that he had bought four outdated aircraft for a massive sum of money in 2006 from America. And the purchase was done outside the accepted tender procedure, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa estimated the damage caused to him at Rs. 1000 million, and demanded the amount with legal interest and other compensation.
Filing answer to the plaint, the defendant Lasantha Wickramatunga denied the allegations and justified the publication and claimed that it was published in the public interest and the public benefit. He asked that the action be dismissed. Mr. Wickramatunga also stated that the plaintiff voluntarily left Sri Lanka and became a citizen of the United States of America at a time several loyal sons of the soil were dying for the country.
When his brother became the President of the country he was brought back as Secretary of Defence which was an appointment of the President and by the President. He further stated that the plaintiff does not posses a character or reputation which is capable of suffering damage to the extent of Rs. 1000 million and the quantity of damage claimed by him was far in excess and has no legal basis whatsoever.
The defendants also stated that they have a moral social and public duty to bring the facts contained in the publications to the notice of the public.