Court restricts YouTube defamation against Army Commander

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court issued a conditional order today, preventing a YouTube channel from publishing and communicating defamatory information against Army Commander Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, under the newly enacted Online Safety Act.

Colombo Chief Magistrate Thilina Gamage issued the conditional order in favor of the Army Commander under Sections 24 (1) and 24 (2) of the Online Safety Act No. 09 of 2024. The order directs that the respondents, Lanka V news-YouTube Channel, and its owner Thushara Saliya Ranawaka, be informed of the order.

The petitioner alleged that the respondents had uploaded malicious and defamatory video content and statements against him, posing a threat to the country’s national security.

The respondent parties have been ordered to show cause under Section 24(6) of the Act. Senior Counsel Shiraz Noordeen represented the Petitioner in court.