Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali today (28) granted permission to the Internet Surveillance and Intelligence Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department to obtain information from six social media accounts that had spread false news that was defamatory of the Court of Appeal and Court of Appeal Judge Balendran Shashi Mahendran.
The court has made this order after considering a request made by the intelligence unit to allow permission to ask nine questions to the social media networks and obtain answers in relation to the investigation into a complaint filed by Court of Appeal Judge Balendran Shashi Mahendran.
The judge has alleged in his complaint that Pillayan has been acquitted of the case filed against him in connection with the shooting death of MP Joseph Pararajasingham, which was highly discussed in the country, and that he has posted false information on his social media accounts in a way that is insulting to the Court of Appeal and him, and that he has also posted photos of himself in his official uniform for that purpose.
The investigating officers told the court that the case in question was never called before him and was never heard as a case, and that the Registrar of the Court of Appeal had sent written information to the Criminal Investigation Department in this regard, and the judge has pointed out in his complaint.