Parliamentarian and former State Minister of Justice, Anuradha Jayaratne, has filed a defamation lawsuit against Gampola Udapalatha Divisional Secretary Athma Dilrukshi Jayaratne, seeking Rs. 1 billion in damages.

The lawsuit was filed in the Kandy District Court, with the MP alleging that the Divisional Secretary defamed him by claiming he was illegally enjoying public property.

He states that she provided false information to her Facebook page and certain media outlets, which damaged his reputation.

This legal action was taken after a letter of demand was sent.

President's Counsel Buddhika Samarasinghe, representing MP Jayaratne, informed the court that the Divisional Secretary had deliberately and maliciously disseminated false information to harm his client's reputation.

The President's Counsel also revealed that an investigation by the Parliamentary Privileges Committee had determined that the MP had been defamed.

The committee's report has since been forwarded to the Attorney General, with a recommendation to file a case against the Divisional Secretary in the Supreme Court.

Furthermore, the Attorney General's Department has stated it will not represent the Divisional Secretary in this case, as it is a personal dispute.

When the case was taken up for hearing today, the defendant's party expressed a willingness to settle with the plaintiff.

Kandy District Judge Buwaneka Rajakaruna stated that the court would express its opinion on the matter at the next hearing.

Commenting on the issue, MP Anuradha Jayaratne stated:

"The Gampola National Heritage Organisation was established in 1999 by my father, who was a former minister and prime minister. At that time, I was a ninth-grade student and had no knowledge of it. However, this Divisional Secretary has used various social and mainstream media platforms to make statements and provide photos and videos with my name, damaging my image."

"I have stated in Parliament before that if I have defrauded or taken even a single rupee from that organisation, I would resign from my parliamentary career. But she has used a few people to slander me through the media, harming my reputation. This is why I have gone to court to seek justice."