Case between George Steuart Health and MTV Channel

Colombo (News 1st); Counsel for George Steuart Health (Pvt) ltd consented for the District Judge of Colombo to hear the defamation action filed by George Steuart Health (Pvt) ltd against MTV Channel Private Limited. When the defamation action filed by George Steuart Health (Pvt) Ltd against MTV Channel Private Limited came up before Additional District Judge Sandun Withana in Court No.6 on the 13th of January 2021, he refused to hear the case and made an order to transfer this case back to Court No. 1 to the Learned District Judge Hon. Rashantha Godawela to hear the case. When the case was taken up at District Court Number 01 on the same day namely the 13th of January 2021, Learned District Judge Rashantha Godawela informed both parties that he can proceed to hear the case in District Court Number 01. However, President's Counsel Romesh De Silva appearing for George Steuart Health (Pvt) Ltd, made an application to the court to postpone the case for him to obtain instructions from his client. The court allowed the application and ordered to call this case today. When the case came up today before District Judge Rashantha Godawela, Romesh De Silva P.C, Counsel for George Steuart Health (Pvt) Ltd, informed the court that he is consenting to this case to be heard before the Learned District Judge Honourable Rashantha Godawela. Counsel who appeared for MTV Channel Private Limited brought to the notice of the Court that when this case came up on the previous occasion, namely on 8th of January 2021, he had objected to a motion and an affidavit filed on behalf of George Steuart Health (Pvt) Ltd on the basis that it was in complete contravention of the provisions of the Civil Procedure Code and that therefore the said motion and the documents filed along with it by George Steuart Health (Pvt) Ltd, should be rejected – Counsel for MTV reserved his right to object to this, at the time of the Inquiry - Court allowed the said application made by the Counsel for MTV. The court fixed this case for Inquiry in regard to the application for an interim injunction on the 8th of February 2021 and the enjoining order valid up to 8th February 2021. Uditha Egalahewa President’s Counsel, Jeevantha Jayathilaka, Niranjan Arulpragasam, Damitha Karunaratne, N K Ashokbharan, Miyuru Egalahewa, and other counsels appeared for the defendant instructed by G G Arulpragasam. Romesh de Silva PC and Ruwantha Cooray Attorney at Law appeared for the defendant instructed by Sanath Wijewardena