By: Ovindi Vishmika
March 19, Colombo (LNW): MP (Dr) Archchuna Ramanathan has been served a legal notice demanding LKR 500 million in damages over alleged defamatory statements made on Facebook.
Attorney-at-Law Balachandra Thinesh issued a formal letter of demand on behalf of his client, Mr. Ratnam Sriharan, a 59-year-old German citizen and philanthropist, accusing Hon. (Dr) Archchuna Ramanathan and H.B. Samarakoon of publishing defamatory statements on Facebook.
The controversy stems from allegations made on February 12, 2025, where the accused reportedly linked Mr. Sriharan to criminal activities and financial misconduct.
The defamatory posts also included private family photographs, which allegedly subjected Mr. Sriharan’s wife and daughter to emotional distress and public humiliation.
It further revealed that these claims have severely damaged Mr. Sriharan’s reputation within the Tamil-speaking community and tarnished his professional standing.
Dr. Ramanathan’s time in Parliament has not been without its challenges. He even has faced warnings from the Speaker of Parliament regarding alleged inappropriate remarks and social media activities that have been deemed disruptive. His actions have sparked debates about responsible communication by public figures, and he now faces legal and parliamentary scrutiny.
However, the legal demand calls for the immediate removal of the defamatory content, a public written apology, and a formal undertaking to refrain from further false statements. Failure to comply within 14 days will result in defamation proceedings.
