Five defamation suits have been filed in the Attanagalla District Court by several online lending companies against several social media activists who have spread malicious, inaccurate and unlawful misinformation about online lending using Facebook and WhatsApp.
Agampodige Thivanka Chaturanga Lakshman alias Tutu of Veyangoda, Tarinda Bandara Thiskumara of Gampola, and Vanni Atapattu Mudianselage Nilantha Kumara of Mahawa, have been named as defendants in these cases filed by companies belonging to the Digital Alternative Lending Association (DALA).
The members of DALA are AV Business Solutions (CashX), Fintech Software Solutions (Loanme), Zephyr Solutions (Pvt) Ltd.- Lotus Loan, Oncredit and S.F. Group (S F Group-Fino.lk).
Attanagalla District Judge Keshara Samaradivakara has issued orders to the defendants to appear in court on May 21, 2024.
The plaintiffs are claiming Rupees 500 million for the defamation and a further Rupees 350 million for the loss of business amounting to a total compensation of Rupees 4,250 million jointly and severally from the defendants, caused by the issuing false, malicious and hateful statements on social networks such as Facebook and WhatsApp, whereas the companies provide loans through online methods in accordance with existing laws.
These cases are filed and represented by Sudath Perera Associates claiming compensation for the prejudice caused to the plaintiffs by the malicious propaganda run by the defendants on social networks through Facebook and WhatsApp groups, under the name of “Victims of Injustice Due to Online Mafia”.
The plaintiffs claimed that they conduct business in accordance with the applicable laws of the country and are self-regulated through the non-profit body DALA registered under the Companies Act No. 07 of 2007.
Pointing out that lending through online platforms is popular across the world, especially in countries such as Poland, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Romania, Spain, Moldova, Vietnam, Philippines, Kenya, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Colombia and South Africa.
The plaintiffs have requested a decree against the defendants for the organized distribution of defamatory, malicious, inaccurate and unlawful misinformation regarding popular and lawful businesses worldwide, and have emphasized in the complaints that they will obtain injunctions against the defendants in the event these illegal actions are continued.
(dailymirror.lk)
