Former Public Security Minister Rear Admiral Dr. Sarath Weerasekara has issued a letter of demand to The Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo, threatening legal action seeking Rs. 100 million in damages over the alleged release of manipulated CCTV footage showing his visit to the hotel.
The letter, dated October 29, was sent through his lawyers, Perera Seneviratne Associates, alleging that CCTV footage recorded during his visit to the hotel on October 24 had been manipulated and circulated on several social media platforms.
According to the letter, the footage was allegedly altered to create the misleading impression that Weerasekara and a Buddhist monk entered a hotel room together or at approximately the same time.
His lawyers maintain that the impression created by the footage is false.
The letter further alleges that the hotel released the footage or still images in collusion with individuals operating several Facebook pages and YouTube channels, including Dasatha Lanka News, Channel 4, Gune Aiyage Kamare and Cyber News LK.
Weerasekara’s lawyers also allege that one Facebook page published the video with a misleading claim involving his secretary, falsely identifying the individual as former National Intelligence chief Hendawitharana.
The lawyers argue that the original CCTV recordings were under the exclusive possession and control of the hotel and could not have been circulated without its knowledge or involvement.
They also claim that the alleged release of the footage without Weerasekara’s consent violated his privacy and the hotel’s own privacy policy.
According to the letter, Weerasekara has suffered severe online harassment, mental distress and damage to his reputation following the circulation of the footage.
The former minister has demanded that the hotel, within seven days of the letter, identify those responsible for accessing, altering or releasing the footage and disclose the individuals or organisations to whom it was provided.
He has also demanded the removal of the footage from online platforms, a public clarification acknowledging the alleged manipulation, a written apology and an undertaking against further unauthorised disclosures.
The letter warns that failure to comply would result in legal proceedings without further notice, with Weerasekara reserving the right to claim Rs. 100 million in damages for alleged defamation, invasion of privacy, reputational harm and mental distress.
His lawyers have also indicated that complaints could be lodged with the Police, the Online Safety Commission and the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority. (Newswire)