Sinha Ratnatunga v. The State – sllr 2001 volume 2 page 172

In the case between Sinha Ratnatunga (accused–appellant, Editor of the Sunday Times Newspaper) and The State, the court addressed the issue of criminal defamation regarding the publication of an article alleged to defame the President. It was held that the responsibility of an editor encompasses not only direct authorship but also the authorization and control over published content. The court reaffirmed the principle that defamation is to be assessed objectively, according to how a reasonable reader would interpret the material, irrespective of the accused’s claimed intention. The court relied on established defamation law principles and relevant precedents, emphasizing that press freedom is subject to limitations where reputation is unlawfully injured. The judgment clarified the scope of