The defamation case filed by former MP Professor Ashu Marasinghe against former MP Hirunika Premachandra and another respondent, claiming that he was insulted due to the accusation of harassing a dog, was settled before the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
The case, which was filed in the Kaduwela District Court, was referred to the Magistrate’s Court at the request of the lawyers appearing for both parties, and accordingly, the legal action was taken up for hearing before Kaduwela Magistrate Aruna Indrajith Buddhadasa.
Professor Ashu Marasinghe had sought Rs. 500 million in damages from Hirunika Premachandra and Rs. 1 billion from the other respondent, Ms. Karadana Gamaralalage Wanitha Adarshanee Karadana, for statements allegedly made at a media conference in December 2025. The second respondent did not appear in court.
The case was settled after Hirunika Premachandra apologized to Professor Marasinghe in open court for the defamatory statement. The court was informed that she accepted that the video clips presented at the media conference had been tampered with.
Following the apology, lawyers appearing for both parties informed the court that they had agreed not to proceed with the case.