Sri Lanka, Feb. 9 -- The Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, has initiated legal action seeking Rs. 1 billion each from National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa and a private television network over defamatory statements.

The complaint, filed through the Minister's legal team, centers on a public statement made by former MP Weerawansa on February 6, 2026.

The former MP allegedly claimed that Dr. Jayatissa used a credit card belonging to the owner of a blacklisted pharmaceutical company to purchase nearly one million items during a visit to India.

The statement was subsequently broadcast as a "Story of the Day" feature by a private TV channel on February 7.

Minister Jayatissa categorically denied the c...