Former Governor Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon has filed a defamation case in the Colombo District Court seeking Rs. 100 million in damages for harm caused to his reputation and dignity by what he claims were false, defamatory, and hate‑filled statements made by Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure Samantha Vidyaratna.

The Chairman of Independent Television Network (ITN) and the Independent Television Network have been named as the second defendants in the case.

At a press conference held on 9 January 2025, Minister Vidyaratna alleged that the former Governor had forcibly acquired large tracts of land in the Haldummulla Bogahapelessa Reserve, and described him as a fraud and corrupt individual. 

He further accused Tennakoon of selling land at Rs. 100,000 per acre, seizing 5,482 acres with smugglers, and stealing mango plants, among more than 15 separate allegations.

According to the plaint, the statements and publications made by Minister Vidyaratna were false, defamatory, and malicious, and the allegations were baseless. 

It also states that these remarks were broadcast by the Independent Television Network in its news bulletins and the program Paththaren Eha.

In a statement, former Governor Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon confirmed that he has requested Rs. 100 million in damages for the defamation, along with legal interest on that amount from the date of filing until the date of judgment.

Case details:  Ranjith keerth plaint final (Newswire)

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Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure Samantha Vidyarathna has accused Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s Director General for Community Affairs, of illegally acquiring 18 acres of land belonging to the Department of Wildlife and Forest Conservation.

Addressing the media yesterday, Minister Vidyarathna said several complaints had been received from various parties, including environmentalists, regarding a racket involving land at the Bogahapelessa Forest Reserve, which was gazetted in 2013. 

Stating that the forest reserve belongs to both the Badulla and Monaragala Districts, Minister Vidyarathna said complaints had been received on the illegal acquisition of land and an unlawful electricity project in the area. 

He revealed that it had been found that a group had obtained 5482 acres of land in the area by giving instructions to officials without handing over proper documentation. 

“According to the project report, the land had been obtained by an individual identifying himself as K.T. Ranjith. We launched a probe to find this individual. It was found that he had used a fake NIC number for this purpose,” he said. 

Minister Vidyarathna said a probe into the NIC had found that it had an extra digit, and the original belonged to Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon, who served as former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s Director General for Community Affairs.

“This K.T. Ranjith is Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon, the former governor. Now it is evident who is behind this racket. These people have also obtained high-voltage power lines,” he said. 

Minister Vidyarathna e said as a solution to this issue, it has been decided to grant electricity supply to the Unakanda Village in the area, assuring that the racketeers will not be given an opportunity to benefit from this. 

His comments come after it was found that 18 acres of land at the Bogahapelessa Forest Reserve had been fraudulently acquired and that the CEB had approved a power project in the area at a cost of Rs. 120 million after receiving orders from the then President’s Secretary. (Newswire)

Minister Samantha Vidyarathna has accused former Governor Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon of illegally acquiring forest land through the use of forged documents and falsified information pic.twitter.com/w8TAG7vjIM

— NewsWire (@NewsWireLK) January 10, 2025

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