Asela Sampath, the National Organizer of the All Ceylon Restaurant Owners' Association, issued an apology and expressed regret to former Minister and Parliamentarian Dr. Channa Jayasumana for two false statements made by Sampath on June 21, 2021, on social media regarding the proposed manufacturing of the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine in Sri Lanka with the approval of the World Health Organization.
Sampath had made defamatory statements against Dr. Jayasumana, alleging that he had accepted monetary and other advantages related to the proposed program. As a result, Dr. Jayasumana sued Sampath for Rs. 500,000 for slander.
During the hearing at the Colombo District Court, Counsel representing Asela Sampath expressed his client's willingness to apologize to Dr. Channa Jayasumana in court.
Counsel V. K. Chosky, representing Dr. Jayasumana's interests, agreed to accept the apology on the condition that Sampath withdraw all statements made by him in this case and another case.
Subsequently, Asela Sampath made the apology in open court.
In a previous hearing, Colombo Additional Magistrate Kanchana Neranjana de Silva had warned Asela Sampath against making irresponsible statements about Dr. Jayasumana and ordered him to be released on two personal sureties of Rs. 500,000 each.
Deputy Solicitor General Deleepa highlighted that Sampath's baseless statements, made without medical knowledge, could hinder the nationwide vaccination program aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19.
