SLT sues Manusha Nanayakkara

Sri Lanka Telecom PLC (SLT) has initiated legal action against SJB Parliamentarian Manusha Nanayakkara in the Colombo District Court on November 1, requesting him to pay a sum of Rs. 1 billion as damages, averring that irreparable loss and damage has been caused to SLT’s brand image and reputation by grossly unfounded and false statements.

Nanayakkara, on 03rd September 2021 alleged that SLT hosted National Medicines and Regulatory Authorities (NMRA) data storage, and wrongfully implied that SLT and Chairman of SLT intentionally destroyed NMRA’s data for ulterior motives. 

Under the legal action, SLT seeks a judicial declaration that the statements of Nanayakkara was made with the intention of causing mischief and defaming the company.

SLT states Nanayakkara has acted with express malice against the company, unlawfully and against SLT’s legal rights, in making the above statement and that Nanayakkara has no lawful defence based on truthfulness, public benefit or privilege.  Prior to instituting legal action, SLT sent two Letters of Demand to Nanayakkara requesting to publish a correction and to remove his erroneous posting from digital platforms to which Nanayakkara did not adhere to, even though at the time of him making the statement it was public knowledge that NMRA data was not held by SLT prior or after the incident and it was held by another company. Further, Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has initiated an investigation based on the statement made by the company on this issue and the CID has recorded a statement from Nanayakkara.