Prasanna Withanage v. Saraths Amunugama, Minister of Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Development of the Northern Region and Others – sllr 2001 volume 1 page 391

In Prasanna Withanage v. Sarath Amunugama (with respondents including the National Film Corporation), the court addressed whether the suspension of the release and exhibition of the film “Purahanda Kaluwara” infringed fundamental rights under Articles 12(1), 14(1)(a), and 14(1)(g) of the Constitution. It was determined that the action of suspending the film—on the basis of Emergency Regulation 14 (ER 14) and Section 6 of the National Film Corporation Act—lacked lawful authority, failed to satisfy requirements of natural justice, and breached the audi alteram partem rule. The findings established that the regulation did not apply to actions by film producers or distributors, and the respondents’ suspension of the film’s release was arbitrary and unlawful. Relief was granted by ordering the