Minister of Health Nalinda Jayatissa has filed a lawsuit in the Colombo District Court seeking Rs. 1 billion in compensation from National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa and a private television channel.
According to reports, the case was lodged on March 3, following allegations made against Minister Jayatissa.
The lawsuit stems from a statement made by Weerawansa at a recent public rally, where he claimed that Minister Jayatissa had purchased goods using a credit card belonging to an unregistered pharmaceutical company.
The allegation was later shared via Weerawansa’s Facebook account and given prominence in the main news broadcast of the private channel on February 7, 2026.
Minister Jayatissa argues that the remarks were defamatory, both directly and indirectly, and have damaged his reputation.
He has requested the court to order the defendants, jointly or separately, to pay the compensation for the defamatory statements. (Newswire)