Colombo District Court issues injunction against YouTuber Sudantha Thilakasiri (aka “Suda”) for defaming Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Online attacks blocked until July 30.
Diyawadana Nilame Secures Court Injunction Against YouTuber “Suda” Over Defamatory Posts
The Colombo District Court has issued a temporary injunction against controversial YouTuber Sudantha Thilakasiri, popularly known as “Suda,” and another individual, preventing them from publishing or sharing any defamatory content targeting the Diyawadana Nilame of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Pradeep Nilanga Dela Bandara.
The order was granted by Colombo Additional District Judge Sandun Withana following a defamation complaint filed by the Diyawadana Nilame himself.
As per the ruling, the court has barred both Sudantha Thilakasiri and Damith Nuwan Kodithuwakku Arachchi from making or distributing defamatory remarks against Pradeep Nilanga Dela via their respective YouTube channels or any other online platform.
The injunction will remain in effect until July 30, pending further legal proceedings.
This move underscores the growing legal scrutiny over defamatory and unregulated content circulated on digital platforms, especially when targeting high-ranking religious or cultural officials. The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy is one of Sri Lanka’s most revered religious sites, and the Diyawadana Nilame serves as its chief lay custodian—a position of national significance.
The legal action signals that public figures are now increasingly turning to the courts to protect their reputation from what they allege to be false or malicious online attacks.
Further hearings are expected later this month as the case unfolds in Colombo District Court.
