Hiru denies all allegations by Lalkantha, demands will not be complied with. A strong response from Hiru!

A strong response has been sent to the letter of demand issued to Hiru News by the lawyer of Agriculture Minister K D Lalkantha, regarding his declaration of assets.

The legal team of Hiru News has communicated that their client categorically denies all and singular the several claims, assertions, allegations and demands made in the said letter of demand, and that the Minister's purported demand will not be complied with.

The letter further states that Hiru News, recognizing the right of correction, published a correction immediately on the 18th of April 2026, during the 6.55pm and 9.55pm news bulletins of Hiru TV, as well as on other media channels owned by the organisation.

The response also draws attention to the Anti-Corruption Act No. 09 of 2023, stating that there are irremediable errors in the Minister's declaration, and that his Declaration of Assets and Liabilities has not been filed in compliance with the law.

The letter goes on to warn that should the Minister instigate any litigation against Hiru News, the organisation will invoke its rights as a corporate citizen to have him dealt with under the law, for deliberate violation of mandatory statutory provisions.

Furthermore, Hiru News has stated that in the event of any legal action, it will raise, among other matters, that the Minister has been involved in deliberate damage to public property and inciting violence against law-abiding citizens — as admitted to by him in public fora — and will accordingly take up the position that he is a person who does not have a reputation to be tarnished.