Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation Minister K.D. Lal Kantha has filed a lawsuit against Hiru TV seeking Rs. 10 billion in damages. This is in connection with the publication of a malicious news story by misinterpreting the assets and liabilities declaration submitted by him.
Minister Lal Kantha claims that the statement of assets and liabilities submitted by Hiru TV on April 16, 2026 was presented with a misinterpretation, and that it was false to say that “Minister Lal Kantha has assets exceeding Rs. 460 million and securities of 10 private institutions exceeding Rs. 380 million and 390 million.”
The statement states that the value of the shares owned by his daughter, which are currently worth nearly Rs. 143,000, has been incorrectly stated as Rs. 38.3 million. It also states that the facts presented by Hiru Channel that the total value of its assets exceeds Rs. 460 million are completely false.
Accordingly, Hiru Channel has been asked to pay compensation of Rs. 10 billion within seven days of receiving this statement for the damage caused to its reputation by publishing the said news.