State Intelligence Service (SIS) Chief Tuan Suresh Salley yesterday appeared before the Colombo District Court to testify in a case filed against Father Cyril Gamini of St. Anthony’s Church, Negombo, over a defamatory statement which was made by him (Fr. Cyril Gamini) on the internet regarding the Easter Sunday attacks.
The case was taken up before Colombo Chief District Judge Sandun Withana. While testifying before the Court SIS Chief Salley pointed out that his and his children’s reputations had been damaged due to the statement made by Father Cyril Gamini. After considering the facts, the case was fixed for January 25, 2024, by the Colombo District Court.
The case was filed by SIS Chief Salley claiming that Father Cyril Gamini of St. Anthony’s Church, Negombo, had damaged his reputation by making a statement on the internet regarding the Easter attacks, and demanded that Father Cyril Gamini be charged compensation of Rs. 50 million for the damage to his reputation. The case was filed against a statement made on Zoom during a discussion about the victims of the Easter attacks by the International Justice Forum on October 23, 2021.
Attorney-at-law Pahan Weerasinghe appeared for the prosecution and attorney-at-law Wimal Ratwatte with President Counsel Shamil Perera appeared for the defence.
Dilshan Tharaka