Garumunige Tilakaratne

The Respondent was charged with having unlawfully and improperly caused the publication of a news item in the "Divaina" newspaper of 12.11.90, to the effect that Mr. Dharmasiri Senanayake, M.P., had stated, in a speech made at Ambalankana, Aranayake, that the Presidential Election petition had already been proved and that if the petitioner did not succeed it would be the end of justice in this country: that these words contained an imputation that the allegations contained in the aforesaid petition have already been proved and that if the petitioner is denied success in that petition, it would amount to a total negation of justice in this country; and that the Respondent had thereby committed a contempt of this Court punishable under Article 105(3) of the Constitution. He pleaded not guilty.