Prasanna claims Rs. 200 Mn damages from Dayasiri
Chief Government Whip, Urban Development and Housing Minister Prasanna Ranatunge has sent a letter of demand claiming Rs.200 million as damages from Dayasiri Jayasekera MP for allegedly making a defamatory and false statement that an liquor licence received by Ranatunge has been issued in the name of an excise officer residing in Makevita area, Gampaha.
The Minister has sent this letter of demand through attorney Nadeesha Hettiarachchi while informing Jayasekera MP that if the relevant compensation for damages caused to his reputation is not paid within 14 days, a lawsuit will be filed charging the amount and legal interest on it.
Attorney Nadeesha Hettiarachchi has stated that the comments made by MP Dayasiri Jayasekera about his client Minister Prasanna Ranatunge at a meeting in Matara, Akurassa were given publicity through newspapers, social media and TV channels and those comments are completely false.
Attorney Nadeesha Hettiarachchi points out in the letter that the relevant false statement has the potential to cause serious damage to the public trust placed on his client who was elected to the parliament after obtaining a high number of preferential votes in the General Election and now is a powerful Cabinet Minister in the government.
The Attorney also points out that regarding this statement made by MP Dayasiri Jayasekara, his client had sought information from the Excise Commissioner General and following this his client had assured that no excise licence has been issued to him or on his recommendation to anyone else.