Kurukulasuriya and Jayasekara v. Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation and Others – SC FR APPLICATION NO. 556/2008-2021

In the case between Sunil Jayasekara, Sanjana Hattotuwa (petitioners), and the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation with its management and related state authorities (respondents), the court addressed the issue of whether the abrupt termination of the live television programme “Ira Anduru Pata” constituted an infringement of fundamental rights, specifically freedom of speech and expression, freedom of thought, and equality before the law under Articles 10, 12(1), and 14(1)(a) of the Constitution. It was held that the respondents’ actions were arbitrary and resulted in a violation of the petitioners’ constitutional rights. The court reaffirmed the principle that criticism of the government and state institutions is a protected form of expression under both local and international law. Statutory