Deputy Minister of Public Security Sunil Watagala has filed a lawsuit in the Kaduwela District Court against Mahinda Pathirana, well-known Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) supporter seeking Rs. 10 billion in damages for alleged defamation.

The legal action, filed under case number 8892/M, follows a Facebook post published by Pathirana in September 2025. The post alleged that Watagala, an attorney-at-law and member of the National People’s Power (NPP), had purchased a luxury apartment in the Cinnamon Life residential complex in Colombo.

Mahinda Pathirana’s social media statement further claimed that the source of funding for the property was suspicious and suggested it may have been obtained as a bribe. Watagala has categorically denied these allegations, describing them as false, malicious, and intentionally designed to damage his reputation and the integrity of his political movement.

Prior to the civil filing, Watagala lodged a formal complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on 16 September 2025, requesting a full investigation into the origin and spread of the claims. He stated that while he supports the principle of free expression, it should not be weaponised to disseminate targeted misinformation.

Watagala, who represents the Colombo Electoral District, was sworn in as the Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs in November 2024. Mahinda Pathirana is a well-known activist for the SLPP.