Petition against Rupavahini filed in SC

[TamilNet, Thursday, 22 November 2001, 15:33 GMT]
A petition seeking interim injunction order against the State owned television station- Rupavahini prohibiting it from telecasting programmes in support of the ruling People's Alliance, seventy two hours before the date of poll has been filed in the Supreme Court Thursday. Mr. Srinath Perera, President Counsel and a UNP candidate contesting the forthcoming general election from Colombo district has filed the petition.

The Chairman of the Rupavahini Corporation the Secretary General of the ruling People's Alliance have been cited as the respondents in the petition.

All election propaganda should come to a halt seventy-two hours prior to the date of election, according to law. But according to information received that the ruling People's Alliance is likely to continue its propaganda through the State owned television Rupavahini till the last date of poll. Therefore the Court should issue an interim injunction on the Rupavahini Corporation prohibiting it from telecasting election propaganda programmes 72 hours before the date of election, the petition states.

The petition is likely to be heard in the Supreme Court next week, court sources said.