Asia Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), which operates Hiru TV, has rejected a letter of demand sent over a news report concerning Minister K.D. Lal Kantha, stating the claims of defamation will not be accepted.

In a legal response dated April 21, lawyers for ABC said the April 16 news report was not intended to defame Lal Kantha and was published without malice.

The company said a subsequent internal review found calculation errors in figures relating to the Minister’s declaration of assets and liabilities.

According to the letter, corrections were broadcast on April 18 across Hiru TV and affiliated media platforms, including radio, website, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube.

The corrections included revising the reported total value of securities from Rs. 383.9 million to Rs. 143,475.08, and changing the total gross value of assets from over Rs. 466.4 million to over Rs. 80 million.

ABC said the corrected report was given the same level of publicity as the original story and the inaccurate content was removed from its platforms.

The broadcaster further denied liability for any compensation and said any legal action seeking damages would be resisted.

The letter also alleged there were errors in Lal Kantha’s declaration under the Anti-Corruption Act and claimed the declaration had not been filed in compliance with the law.

It further stated that if legal proceedings are initiated, the broadcaster would seek action against Lal Kantha for what it described as deliberate violations of statutory provisions.

ABC also said it would raise allegations in court that Lal Kantha had been involved in deliberate damage to public property and inciting violence against law-abiding citizens, and argue that he does not possess a reputation capable of being tarnished.

The company added it would defend its broadcasting rights against any interference. (Newswire)

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