Former Power and Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody has sent a Letter of Demand seeking Rs. 500 million in damages from Prasad Siriwardena over allegedly defamatory remarks made during a public meeting.

According to the letter sent through Attorney Sampath Yalewatta, Prasad Siriwardena had accused the former minister of financial misconduct during a media briefing held on or around March 22.

The letter states that Kumara Jayakody, a qualified engineer with over 30 years of executive experience, has maintained an unblemished professional and political record. It also notes that he recently resigned from his ministerial portfolio following allegations related to substandard coal imports, in order to allow independent investigations by the Presidential Commission probing the matter.

The attorney further claims that the allegations made by Prasad Siriwardena are baseless and were intended to damage both Jayakody’s personal reputation and the image of the National People’s Power.

Accordingly, the Letter of Demand seeks Rs. 500 million in compensation and instructs Prasad Siriwardena to make the payment within 14 days. The notice warns that legal action will be initiated to recover the amount, along with legal interest and court costs, if the payment is not made within the stipulated period.

Jayakody is also currently facing charges filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption over a case dating back to his time as a state official.