AKD demands Rs. 10 b from Kariyawasam and Kuttiarachchi 

NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake 

National People’s Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday fired off Letters of Demand through his legal counsels to Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MPs Sagara Kariyawasam and Tissa Kuttiarachchi over their recent public claims that Dissanayake had made significant foreign exchange investments in the island nation of Malta. 

While the allegations were first levelled against Dissanayake by Front Line Socialist Party (FLSP) member Duminda Nagamuwa, Kariyawasam and Kuttiarachchi were seen repeating the same allegations in public forums this week despite Dissanayake denying the accusations. 

The Letters of Demand noted that the statements made by Kariyawasam and Kuttiarachchi on two different occasions were widely reported in all forms of media and have thus publicly defamed Dissanayake. It noted the statements were false and malicious. 

“He asserts that he has suffered significant defamation and substantial harm to his reputation due to the groundless, untrue, and malicious accusations you have levied. Additionally, it has come to my attention that the statement was issued with the deliberate aim of undermining public confidence, esteem, and approval for him,” the letters read. 

Accordingly, the Letters of Demand have requested the duo to pay Rs. 10 billion each to Dissanayake for the ‘defamation, embarrassment and shame’ caused within 14 days of receiving the communique.  The counsel representing Dissanayake notified Kariyawasam and Kuttiarachchi that his client would pursue legal action for remedy if they do not make the payment within the specified timeframe.