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Court Revokes Seal on "Lanka" Newspaper
Mon, 01 February 2010 09:41
"Lanka" newspapers
(NIDAHASA News) The Gangodawila magistrate today revoked a CID decision to seal the Nugegoda office of "Lanka" newspapers as there was no threat to national security from an article which appeared in the publication.
The CID informed Court that in order to proceed with the case against the Editor of "Lanka", Chandana Sirimalwatte, the banning of the newspaper must be upheld. However, lawyers representing the newspaper reiterated that the ban has resulted in a violation of the right of expressing one’s opinion, guaranteed under the Constitution. They also pointed out that the ban violated the Constitutional right of equality for all before the law. They noted that the article in question over which the newspaper was banned, was carried on January 17th 2010 and has had no bearing whatsoever on the security status of the country nor has it affected its stability. Additionally, the CID has so far been unable to furnish the court with any adequate proof of the charges framed against the newspaper.
Having heard both sides, the Magistrate ruled that the CID had not presented adequate evidence in favour of the ban and therefore, court was moving to ensure the right of the people to information.
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