MTV, MBC NETWORKS SUING SLRC FOR RS.500 MILLION

MTV Channel (Pvt) Ltd and the MBC Networks (Pvt) Ltd. have filed answer in the Colombo High Court to a plaint filed by the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC).

MTV and the MBC are claiming Rs.500 million from the SLRC as damages.

The MTV and the MBC, the defendants in the case, in their answer claim that on the averments contained in the plaint itself, the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union is a necessary party to this action and thus the plaintiff is guilty of non-inclusion of necessary parties to this action.

The defendants state that this action therefore is not properly constituted and for this reason alone, the plaint ought to be dismissed.

They maintain that the enjoining order, notice of interim injunction and summons have been issued by the High Court with a lack of care.

SLRC had obtained an ex-parte enjoining order at the Commercial High Court on the basis that the Asian Broadcasting Union had given the SLRC exclusive rights to telecast the 2012 London Olympic Games and subsequently the enjoining order was converted to an interim injunction. The defendants MTV and MBC challenged the decision of the CHC and the Supreme Court granted an interim order staying the operation of the High Court order of July 2 thereby permitting MTV and MBC to telecast the Olympic Games.

The defendants said the SLRC by wrong premises and by wrong means obtained the ex-parte enjoining order and the interim injunction.

The answer claiming Rs.500 million from SLRC was filed by President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva and Sugath Caldera instructed by G.G. Arulpragasam.