Hudson Samarasinghe, former Chairman of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC), has withdrawn the defamation case he filed against Nirmala de Alwis, widow of renowned lyricist and media personality Premakeerthi de Alwis. The case, seeking Rs. 800 million in damages, was formally withdrawn on July 25 before the Colombo District Court, following the recent passing of the defendant.
Representing Samarasinghe, Attorney Madhava Rupasinghe informed the court that since the defendant is now deceased, the plaintiff no longer wishes to proceed with the case. Accordingly, the presiding District Judge granted permission for the case to be withdrawn and ordered its closure. Attorney Navodya Gamagé, appearing for the defendant, did not object to the request.
The case stemmed from a controversial statement made by Nirmala de Alwis during a commemorative event held on July 31, 2014, marking the 25th death anniversary of Premakeerthi de Alwis at the SLBC premises. Speaking in the presence of then-President Mahinda Rajapaksa, she stated, “Mr. President, the killer of Premakeerthi de Alwis is in your entourage.” The remark was subsequently quoted in a report published by Lankadeepa on August 3, 2014, under the headline “Nirmala accuses Hudson Samarasinghe of killing her husband.”
Hudson Samarasinghe filed the defamation suit on October 23, 2014, through Attorney Sanjaya Fonseka, claiming that the statement and the resulting media coverage caused severe damage to his personal reputation and public image. As a well-known public figure and former Member of Parliament, Samarasinghe maintained that the accusations had irreparably harmed his dignity.
The case, which had seen multiple hearings, was last called on July 18, 2025, when the plaintiff appeared before court to face cross-examination, as ordered by Colombo District Judge Sandun Withana. Representing the plaintiff were Attorneys Madhava Rupasinghe and Nigan Balasuriya, under the guidance of Senior Counsel Sumedha Mahawanniarachchi. The defense was represented by Attorney Navodya Gamagé, acting on the instructions of Senior Counsel Lakshan Dias.
Given the defendant’s death, Samarasinghe decided not to proceed with the legal action, bringing the high-profile defamation case to an official close.
