I Will File Rs. 100 Million Compensation Claim Against Leading Star Hotel: Sarath Weerasekara
01-Nov-2026.
Former Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Minister Sarath Weerasekara stated that the unauthorised manipulation and release of CCTV footage recorded at a leading star-class hotel amounted to a violation of his privacy and had caused him mental distress and damage to his reputation.
He said he had sent a letter of demand calling for those responsible to be identified and disclosed within seven days, the videos to be removed, and a written apology to be issued. If these demands were not met, he would file legal action seeking compensation of Rs. 100 million.
He made these remarks while addressing a media briefing held in Colombo on 31 October 2026.
Elaborating further, he said:
"The videos have been manipulated to create the impression that Buddhist monk Ven. Kassapa Thera and I visited the hotel at the same time. However, the monk visited the hotel on one day, while I visited on the following day. Footage recorded on two separate days has been combined to mislead the public.
"The original CCTV footage remains under the control of the hotel management. Its release without my consent constitutes a violation of my privacy. This has caused me mental distress and damaged my reputation.
"I have sent a letter of demand calling for those responsible to be identified and disclosed within seven days, the videos to be removed, and a written apology to be issued. Failing compliance, I will institute legal proceedings seeking compensation of Rs. 100 million.
"I also assisted in the pilgrimage undertaken to secure the release of Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera. On the fourth day of the pilgrimage, when several monks sustained injuries to their feet in Nittambuwa, I arranged medical treatment for them.
"I also arranged hospital admission for those affected by dengue fever. I visited the hotel specifically to see Ven. Kassapa Thera, who was suffering from a fever. There were six or seven people present at the hotel. I spoke with them for approximately 15 minutes. A hotel employee escorted me to the seventh floor.
"The person who accompanied me was my personal secretary. It is false to identify him as former intelligence officer Kapila Hendawitharana and claim that he was involved in a conspiracy to assassinate the President.
"The satyagraha campaign was called off only after the Mahanayake Theras of the three Buddhist chapters assured the organisers that they would intervene to secure a presidential pardon for Ven. Gnanasara Thera.
"I will also initiate legal action against Channel 4, social media platforms and the individuals concerned. In addition, I intend to lodge complaints with the Police, the Online Safety Commission and the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority."
