Health and Mass Media Minister and Chief Government Whip Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa has issued a letter of demand seeking Rs. 1 billion in damages from former Western Provincial Council member Ajanta Niroshan Padukka over what he claims are false and defamatory statements.
The letter, sent through Attorney-at-Law Sampath Yalevaththa, relates to remarks made by Padukka during a media briefing held around February 1, 2026. At the briefing, Padukka alleged that Minister Jayatissa had used a credit card belonging to the owner of a blacklisted pharmaceutical company, spending approximately Rs. 1 million on purchases in India. He further demanded that the minister disclose details of the alleged transaction and resign from office.
Through his legal representatives, Minister Jayatissa has categorically denied the allegations, describing them as entirely false, baseless, and malicious. The letter states that he has never used such a credit card and that the claims were deliberately fabricated to portray him as corrupt and unfit to hold the position of Health Minister.
The letter also emphasizes that the statements have caused serious damage to the minister’s reputation, particularly given his long political career marked by integrity and an unblemished public image.
The demand letter requires Padukka to pay Rs. 1 billion in compensation within 14 days from February 2, 2026. It warns that failure to comply will result in legal action to recover the amount along with applicable interest and court costs.
