Actress Madhavee Anthony has publicly apologised and withdrawn a defamatory statement she made on social media concerning an individual named Sanjaya Bandara.

In a statement released through her official Facebook account, Anthony referred to a post she published on 6 October 2025, in which she had named and posted a photograph of Bandara, describing him as a “political extremist bully and child abuser.”

Clarifying her remarks, Anthony admitted that referring to Bandara as a “child abuser” was not intended in its literal sense and acknowledged that the statement was false, baseless, and made with hostility. “I fully accept, with a clear conscience, that my statement describing him as a ‘child abuser’ was a malicious, untrue, and unfounded remark,” she stated.

Anthony further announced that she was fully withdrawing the statement and expressed her sincere regret for the distress caused. “I extend my heartfelt and profound apology to Mr Bandara and his family for the immense pain and suffering they endured as a result of my post,” she said.

The apology follows a letter of demand sent by Sanjaya Bandara through his attorneys, seeking Rs 100 million in damages over the allegedly defamatory post in October. The letter noted that the Madhavee Anthony’s publication had caused Bandara and his family severe mental anguish and reputational harm, and warned that legal proceedings would be initiated if compensation was not paid within seven days.