News
Chief Magistrate orders forensic examination of three mobile phones and computer belonging to suspects
Alleged defamatory campaign targeting SJB MP Kavinda Jayawardana
By A.J.A. Abeynayake
Colombo Chief Magistrate Tanuja Lakmali on Thursday (30) ordered the forensic examination of three mobile phones and a computer belonging to suspects who had allegedly conducted a defamatory campaign, online, targeting Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Kavinda Jayawardena. The devices will be sent to the Government Analyst for a detailed report.
The order was issued after the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) sought court approval to examine the devices as part of its investigation into a complaint lodged by MP Jayawardena. The MP claimed that some of the content targeting him was sexually explicit and defamatory, causing him insult and psychological distress.
Following the investigation, four suspects were arrested and later released on bail. The suspects—identified as Sahan Fonseka, Arusha Liyanage, Tharaka Wickramasinghe, and Dhanushka—are residents of Mount Lavinia, Ginigathhena, and Attidiya.
According to the CID, the third suspect had managed the social media account through which the defamatory material was shared, while the other suspects were involved in executing the online smear campaign.
This information was revealed during a previous court hearing.
President’s Counsel Nalin Laduwahetty appeared on behalf of MP Jayawardena, while Senior Counsel Ranawaka represented the first and second suspects. The case has been scheduled to be heard again on 31 July.
It has been reported that former Inspector General of Police (IGP) C.D. Wickramaratne has been found dead at his residence in Athurugiriya this morning (17)
it is suspected that he may have taken his own life.
A heated argument broke out between Jaffna District MP Archchuna Ramanathan and Fisheries Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar during the Kilinochchi District Coordination Committee meeting held yesterday (16).
A video footage of the incident shows the MP and the Minister engaging in a heated verbal exchange, following which a physical confrontation appeared to develop when the Minister attempted to grab files reportedly in the possession of MP Ramanathan.
“If you lay a hand on me, I’ll lay a hand on you too… got it?” Ramanathan is heard telling the Minister during the exchange.
Police and officials present at the meeting intervened to prevent the situation from escalating further.
The circumstances that led to the confrontation were not immediately clear.
Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith has filed an intervening petition before the Court of Appeal in connection with a petition filed by former head of the State Intelligence Service, Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay, challenging his arrest and detention under the Prevention of Terrorism Act over investigations into the Easter Sunday terror attacks.
The Cardinal has sought permission from the court to make submissions in relation to Sallay’s petition and requested that it be dismissed.
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