Minister Lal Kantha Did Not Mention Any Individual by Name; Cabinet Spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa

15-Jan-2026

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Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Nalinda Jayatissa stated that Minister Lal Kantha did not mention any individual by name in his recent remarks, expressing surprise that certain media outlets had drawn in the Chief Incumbent of the Mihintale Temple.

He made these comments at the weekly Cabinet media briefing held at the Government Information Department in Colombo on January 13 in response to journalists’ questions regarding a speech delivered by Minister Lal Kantha.

Minister Jayatissa clarified that neither Minister Lal Kantha nor he had made allegations targeting any individual. He explained that Minister Lal Kantha had merely referred to “Mihintale,” which is his electoral constituency with approximately 75,000 voters, without naming anyone.

He stressed that media reports attributing the remarks to a specific religious figure were speculative and unfounded. He questioned how the media could claim that a Buddhist monk was targeted when no such reference had been made.

The Minister added that it was inappropriate for the media to assume that the remarks were directed at the Chief Incumbent of the Mihintale Temple, noting that if clarification were required, it should be sought directly from Minister Lal Kantha.