Bowman v. Secular Society Ltd. – sllr 1982 volume 2 page 777

Brief
In the case between MALALGODA (applicant, a writer and poet) and the Attorney-General, the Inspector-General of Police, and associated officials (respondents), the court addressed whether the police seizure of a publication alleged to contain defamatory statements violated the applicant’s constitutional guarantee of freedom of speech and publication. It was determined that, while the Constitution protects freedom of speech, this right is subject to statutory limitations, notably in the context of defamation. The findings established that the applicant’s publication did not enjoy protection as it was considered defamatory, and that the seizure was justified under Article 15(2) of the Constitution. The decision reaffirmed the principle that fundamental rights such as free speech may be