Deputy Minister of Public Security, Sunil Watagala, has sent a letter of demand requesting Rs. 2 billion in compensation from Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa.
This letter of demand was sent on September 22, 2025, by Attorney Manjula Balasuriya on the advice of Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala.
According to media reports, the letter of demand has been sent in response to an earlier letter dated September 10, 2025, in which Attorney Sankha Karunaratne, acting on behalf of MP Namal Rajapaksa, demanded Rs. 1 billion in compensation from Sunil Watagala.
Attorney Sankha Karunaratne sent the initial letter of demand claiming that a statement made by Sunil Watagala during a media discussion had damaged Namal Rajapaksa’s reputation.
In response, Sunil Watagala’s legal counsel stated that his client had not made any defamatory remarks, pointing out that Namal Rajapaksa is not a person of reputable standing, and that the Attorney General has already filed indictments against him for the alleged misuse of Rs. 70 million in the Krish transaction.
Therefore, it was argued that no statement made could have harmed his reputation, and the letter of demand dated September 10, 2025, was formally rejected.
The response also stated that if legal action is pursued, a counterclaim will be filed, and the case will proceed with cross-demands. All legal costs related to these proceedings will be sought from Namal Rajapaksa through the court.
Due to the defamatory nature of the letter of demand sent to his client, Sunil Watagala is now seeking Rs. 2 billion in damages for the harm caused to his reputation, to be paid within seven days of the date of the letter. If the amount is not paid within that period, legal action will be initiated in the appropriate civil court, as per his client’s instructions, the response further said.
The Deputy Minister’s response comes after MP Namal Rajapaksa had sought compensation, claiming that a recent statement made by Sunil Watagala at a media briefing in Homagama caused him reputational harm.
In his legal notice, MP Namal Rajapaksa alleged that the statement implied he was connected to the country’s drug supply network, thereby defaming him. (Newswire)
