SL diplomat wins settlement in Polish defamation case following Court injunctions

Saturday, 8 August 2026 01:46 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sanaka Samarasinha

A Sri Lankan diplomat has reached a settlement with European Radio for Belarus, a Warsaw-based publication, following two court-ordered injunctions in defamation proceedings in Poland, resulting in the outlet removing the disputed articles, issuing an expression of regret, and agreeing to bear legal costs, according to case records and a published statement by the outlet.

Sanaka Samarasinha, a senior career United Nations official, brought the action over articles published in 2023 concerning his earlier tenure in Minsk. The outlet has since removed the material and issued a statement on its platform:

“Guided by this mission and by respect for the individuals who are the subject of our publications, we hereby inform our readers that the articles concerning Sanaka Samarasinha have been permanently removed… The editorial team expresses its regret for the negative impact that the articles had on Sanaka Samarasinha’s good name. The parties have agreed to resolve the court dispute amicably.”

Reflecting on his years in Belarus and the reasons for bring the lawsuit, Samarasinha pointed to the work the false reports threatened to overshadow:

“Many inspiring people worked with me on so many important initiatives in Belarus at that time—from protecting disability rights to preventing violence against women, fighting HIV/AIDS and TB, and helping addicts rehabilitate. They should not feel let down and question the important work they did because of these false reports.”

The case was heard before the Warsaw District Court, which found the headlines sensational and concluded the content did not present clear factual allegations or establish a connection to Samarasinha’s official duties. The court extended the injunction for second year to ensure compliance, and although financial penalties were under consideration, the outlet removed the material before such measures were imposed. As part of the settlement, the publisher agreed to take the articles off its website permanently and to cover the legal costs of the proceedings.

Samarasinha, who previously worked as a journalist and human rights lawyer, chose not to pursue criminal defamation proceedings, limiting his action to civil remedies instead:

“I have always been a strong advocate of freedom of expression, and putting someone in prison for saying something they truly believe is anathema to me and should be a last resort. At the same time, with that freedom comes a responsibility to scrupulously pursue the truth. And when we fail the public in that sacred mission, we must be held accountable.”