Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa sent a letter of demand to Foreign Minister Managala Samaraweera, seeking Rs 1 billion in damages over an alleged defamatory statement the latter had made, local media reported on Wednesday (13).

The letter of demand sent to Samaraweera by Attorney-at-Law Athula Priyadarshana de Silva, on behalf of his client Mahinda Rajapaksa, stated that the allegations were defamatory and had caused discredit to his client.  

While the damages caused to Mr Rajapaksa’s reputation by the comments cannot be estimated his client will be seeking a sum of Rs 1 billion as compensation, the letter of demand said.

It also warned that in the event Samaraweera fails pay the aforementioned sum within 21 days, legal action will be instigated against him.  

During a media conference at UNP headquarters on May 07, Minister Mangala Samaraweera claimed that foreign intelligence agencies had informed the government that former president Mahinda Rajapaksa and his family members had deposited US$18 billion in secret offshore accounts. 

Releasing a statement on May 08 Rajapaksa said that members of his family have no secret offshore accounts or illegal overseas investments in front companies.

Meanwhile MP Namal Rajapaksa, elder son of the former president also said that if Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera can prove that his father or a member of the family has stashed away US $ 18 billion in overseas accounts, he will quit politics.