May 19, LNW(Colombo): A defamation case filed by former Parliamentarian Ashu Marasinghe against former MP Hirunika Premachandra and another respondent was settled before the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court after both parties reached a compromise agreement.
The case was taken up yesterday before Kaduwela Magistrate Aruna Indrajith Buddhadasa. Initially filed in the Kaduwela District Court, the matter was later referred to the Magistrate’s Court following a joint request made by lawyers representing both sides.
Prof. Marasinghe had sought a total compensation of Rs.1.5 billion over allegations made during a media briefing held in December 2025. The lawsuit demanded Rs.500 million from Hirunika Premachandra and Rs.1 billion from the second respondent, Karadana Gamaralalage Wanitha Adarshani Karadana.
The complaint stemmed from statements alleging that Prof. Marasinghe had abused a pet dog — accusations that gained significant public attention and sparked widespread discussion on social media and in political circles at the time.
However, with both parties agreeing to an out-of-court settlement, the legal dispute has now come to an end. Details of the settlement were not disclosed in open court.
The case drew considerable media attention due to the high-profile personalities involved and the unprecedented compensation claim.