Minister K.D. Lal Kantha has issued a legal notice against Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Private) Limited, accusing the local broadcaster of misrepresenting his 2025 assets and liabilities declaration and publishing defamatory content.
The notice, dated April 18, states that Hiru Media Network aired a news segment on April 16 alleging the minister’s assets exceeded Rs. 4.6 billion, citing details from his declaration.
Lal Kantha contends the figures were deliberately exaggerated and misinterpreted, particularly claims regarding property and company shares in his daughter’s name.
According to the legal notice, the declaration submitted to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) included assets under his name, his wife’s, and his daughter’s, but the broadcaster presented them in a misleading manner.
The minister argues that the report, along with its republication across digital platforms under the headline “Minister Lal Kantha’s assets exceed Rs. 4.6 billion,” was intended to damage his reputation.
The notice further claims that the broadcast has caused severe harm to the minister’s public image, portraying him as corrupt and misleading voters, supporters, and the wider public.
Minister Lal Kantha is seeking Rs. 10 billion in damages within seven days and has warned that failure to comply will result in legal proceedings, including recovery of costs and interest.
The minister also indicated he would petition authorities to revoke Hiru Media Network’s broadcasting license, alleging misuse of a public frequency for partisan and defamatory purposes. (Newswire)
The post Minister Lal Kantha seeks Rs. 10 billion in damages from local broadcaster appeared first on Newswire.