Enjoining order against Fonterra lifted
Gampaha Additional District Judge Indika Kalingawansa yesterday vacated the enjoining order she had earlier is- sued preventing Fonterra Brands Lanka Private Limited from selling or distributing its products through agents as well as any form of advertising in a misleading manner.
On August 16 the court issued this order following an action filed by Saman Rathnapriya, Nalaka Harindrapriya and E. A. Jayasinghe, president, secretary and treasurer of the Government Nursing Officers’ Association.
Meanwhile the Court reissued summons for contempt on the Managing Director of New-Zealand-based Fonterra Brands Lanka Private Limited and three other directors for violating court orders and allegedly committing contempt of court. The summons on Managing Director, Leon Clement, Director Malcolm Smith, Director Janaka Harshadewa Polwatta Gallage and Head of Marketing Anura Kumara of Fonterra Brands were returnable on September 24.
Filing contempt charges, the plaintiff had complained that Fonterra had violated the court order issued on August 16 preventing the company from selling all its products, distributing or selling through agents as well as any form of advertising in a misleading manner.
According to the contempt charges, the company also had violated the order which prohibited it from releasing misleading statements to the media and holding media conferences and distributing hand bills stating that their products did not contain any chemical substances that are harmful to human consumption.
Upul Jayasuriya with Sandamal Rajapaksha instructed by Upul Deshapriya appeared for the plaintiffs. Manoj Bandara, Isuru Balapatabendi and Binara Gunasekera instructed by Sudath Perera Associates appeared for Fonterra and other defendants.