In November 2008, a fundamental rights application was filed by CPA along with several Media Organizations seeking relief and effective redress in respect of the infringement of fundamental rights guaranteed by Article 10, 12(1),12(2) and 14(1)(a) of the Constitution. The Petitioners respectfully sought an interim order suspending the impugned regulation of Private Television Broadcasting Stations gazetted on October 10th2008 (Gazette (Extraordinary) No. 1570/35) under Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation Act , No. 6 of 1982.
The Petitioners reiterated that the purpose of SLRC Regulations is the establishment of a new licensing regime pertaining to private television broadcasting stations and the monitoring and regulation of such broadcasting stations. The said Regulations do not, in any manner or form, relate to the issue of public security. Therefore they stated that the said SLRC Regulations does not fall within the ambit of “Law” as defined by Article 15(7), and is not a legitimate means by which the fundamental rights of the people guaranteed by article 14(1)(a) of the Constitution may be restricted in the interests of, inter alia, national security, public order and the protection of public health or morality.
CPA obtained leave to proceed and the case was mentioned on 2nd March 2009, and 2nd April 2009. The proceedings were terminated on 27th April 2009.