AKD Seeks Rs. 10 Bn in Defamation Suit Against SLPP MP

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The Colombo District Court has scheduled a hearing for January 21 in a defamation case filed by National People's Power presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake against two members of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), including MP Janaka Tissa Kutti Arachchi.

Dissanayake is seeking Rs. 10 billion in compensation for alleged defamatory remarks made against him. 

The case stems from a public meeting held by the SLPP on August 19, 2023, in Central Colombo, where Kutti Arachchi reportedly claimed that Dissanayake had "invested five billion in Malta."

Dissanayake argues that this statement was intended to portray him as corrupt and acting with dishonest intentions, suggesting he receives large sums of money from abroad for ulterior motives.

During today's court session, lawyers representing Kutti Arachchi requested additional time to file objections. The court granted this request, setting the deadline for January 21.

Dissanayake's lawyers maintain that the accusations have caused significant harm to his reputation, prompting the substantial compensation claim of Rs. 10 Billion from the respondents.