Minister K.D. Lal Kantha has lodged a complaint with the Ministry of Mass Media against Hiru TV, alleging the broadcaster published a false and misleading report regarding his assets declaration.

According to the complaint, the issue relates to a news report aired by Hiru TV based on the minister’s voluntarily submitted declaration of assets and liabilities for 2024/25 to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.

The minister stated that the report distorted facts and wrongly interpreted the contents of the declaration, claiming he owned assets worth more than Rs. 460 million.

He further alleged that the channel failed to seek clarification from him before broadcasting the report and later amplified the claims through social media and digital platforms.

Lal Kantha explained that under the Anti-Corruption Act No. 09 of 2023, declarations must include not only assets owned by the declarant, but also those belonging to a spouse and unmarried children living in the same household.

He said the declaration therefore included assets belonging to his wife and daughter, but the channel did not disclose this in its report.

The minister also alleged that shares purchased by his daughter in several companies — valued at around Rs. 90,000 at the time of purchase and currently worth around Rs. 143,000 — were intentionally misrepresented by the channel as securities worth nearly Rs. 380 million purchased by him.

The Minister said he has already sent a letter of demand through his lawyers seeking Rs. 10 billion in damages over the alleged defamation.

He maintained that the figures were intentionally exaggerated, particularly in relation to property and company shares registered under his daughter’s name.

“We have listened to all the insults with patience. When we take one step against them, they say it’s a mistake and ask for forgiveness,” he said, addressing an event in Anuradhapura.

There will be “no forgiveness,” but all legal avenues will be pursued, he added.

Although the channel later issued a follow-up report expressing regret and acknowledging an error in the asset calculation, the minister claimed it still incorrectly suggested that the shares belonged to him despite being informed in writing that they were owned by his daughter. (Newswire)

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