Dilith Jayaweera's case against BBC Sandeshaya dismissed by HC, "with costs"

Jayaweera filed the case claiming the Sandeshaya BBC Sinhala Service on the 26th of October 2011 had broadcast an interview with Shan Wickremesinghe, the Chairman of the TNL Network (PVT) Limited and for carrying an article quoting the same, and thereby stating that he was defamed.

Prior to filing the case with the Colombo District Court, in a Letter of Demand to the Sandeshaya BBC Sinhala Service, Jayaweera claimed the interview contained remarks which claim that he was involved in ;

- Money Laundering

- Made money through unlawful, illegal, and dishonest means

- Drug Trafficking

- Owns or leases out a suite at a luxury hotel in Colombo along with Duminda Silva and several others

- Threatened and/or caused to threaten Shan Wickremesinghe and Sudantha Jayasundara with death.

Citing that the interview had caused defamation to him, Dilith Jayaweera filed the case against the Sandeshaya BBC Sinhala Service on the 10th of February 2012 seeking 10 Million Sterling Pounds as damages.

Colombo District Court Judge Rashantha Godawela on Tuesday (12) dismissed the case with costs after a prolonged trial.

On the instruction of the D. L. & F De Saram legal firm, President's Counsel Romesh De Silva along with Counsel Maxi Bastian, Sugath Caldera, and Wasantha Kumar Niles appeared on behalf of the Sandeshaya BBC Sinhala Service.

President's Counsel Ali Sabry and Counsel Samith Fernando appeared for the interests of businessman Dilith Jayaweera until March 2020.