Ashu Marasinghe defamation case settled in court

By Buddhika Kumarasiri 

Colombo, May 19 (Daily Mirror) - Former Parliamentarian Prof. Ashu Marasinghe’s defamation case seeking Rs.1.5 billion in compensation from former Parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra and another respondent over an alleged statement that he abused a dog was settled before the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court yesterday after the parties reached a compromise.

The case, originally filed in the Kaduwela District Court, had been referred to the Magistrate’s Court at the request of the lawyers appearing for both parties. The matter was taken up before Kaduwela Magistrate Aruna Indrajith Buddhadasa.

Prof. Marasinghe had sought Rs.500 million in compensation from Hirunika Premachandra and Rs.1 billion from the other respondent, Karadana Gamaralalage Wanitha Adarshani Karadana, over statements allegedly made during a media conference in December 2025.

The second respondent was not present in court.

The settlement was reached after Hirunika Premachandra apologised to Prof. Marasinghe in open court over the defamatory statement. Court was informed that she had admitted the videos presented during the media conference had been doctored.

Following the apology, lawyers representing both parties informed court that they had agreed not to proceed with the case.