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