Civil Appellate High Court Mount Lavinia today (17) ordered National Sports Council Chairman – Arjuna Ranatunga to pay Rs 25 million to former Deputy Speaker – Thilanga Sumathipala.

The case was filed in 2017 by Sumathipala, alleging that Ranatunga had made defamatory statements pertaining to him during a media briefing in 2003.

Sumathipala had sought a Rs. 500 million compensation, stating that Ranatunga’s statements had tarnished his reputation.