The District Court of Kaduwela today (09) issued an enjoining order against former MP Wimal Weerawansa, following an application filed by Hayleys PLC.
The order restrains Weerawansa from making or publishing further defamatory statements concerning the company, its subsidiaries, or its board members.
In its plaint, Hayleys PLC, one of Sri Lanka’s largest conglomerates with operations spanning automobiles, power, agriculture, logistics, renewable energy, and retail, argued that its reputation and goodwill, both locally and internationally, had been repeatedly tarnished.
The company alleged that Weerawansa, through social media and appearances on Hiru TV’s Salakuna programme in February, April, and May 2026, made baseless and untruthful remarks directly or indirectly identifying Hayleys PLC, Kingsbury PLC, its automobile arm, Jetstar agency, logistics subsidiary, renewable energy ventures, and Hayleys Retail.
Hayleys further stated that despite issuing a Letter of Demand around May 25, 2026, Weerawansa continued to defame the company, including references to its board of directors and subsidiaries.
The plaint warned that “irremediable harm and mischief” would result if the court did not intervene. In addition to the enjoining order, Hayleys is seeking Rs. 6 billion in damages for reputational harm.
The District Court, satisfied with the pleadings, ordered Weerawansa to refrain from disseminating, communicating, or otherwise conveying any false, misleading, or defamatory statements relating to Hayleys PLC. The matter is scheduled to be called again on 23 June 2026.
Counsel Nishan Sydney Premathiratne, appearing with Shenali Dias and Ishara Jayakodiarachchi, represented Hayleys PLC, instructed by Chanuka Ekanayake. (Newswire)
