Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake sought to file preliminary objections against the case filed by former Southern Provincial Minister D.V. Upul's demand for damages.

Ramanayake's lawyers made this request from Colombo District Court today, on several grounds. Ramanayake argues that the jurisdiction in the case does not fall to Colombo District Court.

Also he said that the said incident does not warrant the payment of damages.

The District Court gave Ramanayake until November 25 to file objections.

D.V. Upul filed the civil suit last April, seeking damages of Rs.500 million from Ranjan Ramanayake, claiming the deputy minister had defamed him at a media briefing held in February.

Upul argued that Ramanayake made accusations of using political power to obtain a loan of 76 billion, and then defrauding that money.