FMM says CJ's personal opinion hinders fair hearing for 'Aksharaya'

The Free media Movement (FMM) says that CJ Sarath Nanda Silva's comments in open court on the film Aksharaya could have a chilling effect on the freedom of expression.

The chief justice made several strong statements on Asoka Handagama's film and even accused the film maker of trying to systematically to defame the judiciary.

In a statement the FMM says that it is firmly of the view that the CJ's gratuitous comments have prevented a fair hearing of this case, diminished the standards of judicial conduct and compromised the independence of the judiciary.

Freedom of speech

Justice Silva was critical on a scenes said to be in the film depicting the judiciary.

The public performance board that earlier permitted the screening has been ordered to review its decision and report back to the Supreme Court.

	Judiciary urged to respect film viewers right to make own conclusions

The FMM points out that the Chief Justice has purportedly made remarks from the bench which the watchdog views as having grave implications for the freedom of expression.

Speaking to Sandeshaya the convener of the freemedia movement Sunanda Deshapriya said that he had vivewed the film and that there was nothing derogetrey.

“The comments of the chief justice are of a personal nature and it has nothing to do with the law’’ said Deshapriya .

The remarks allegedly made by the Chief Justice are a clear and unjustifiable intrusion upon freedom of expression in that they are in effect an imposition of the Chief Justice’s personal moral perspectives on the subject matter of the film, says the FMM.

The watchdog adds that the judiciary should similarly respect the right and capacity of adult Sri Lankan film-viewers to come to their own conclusions about the film and its content.

The Chief Justice has been often criticised in the media on his personal conduct and judicial decisions.