Minister Sunil Watagala is facing a massive Rs. 1 billion writ from MP Namal Rajapaksa after being publicly linked to an alleged drug trafficking network during a media conference.
On behalf of MP Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney Sanka Karunaratne has issued a writ of one billion rupees against Minister Sunil Watagala. The writ was sent on September 10, 2025. The reason for this legal action is a statement made by Watagala at a media conference held in the Homagama area on or around September 6, 2025. At that time, he made remarks regarding two containers suspected of being tied to drug trafficking and displayed a photograph of Namal Rajapaksa to the media, implying that he was connected to a drug network.
Watagala stated at the press briefing, “These people are behind this drug supply network.” Namal Rajapaksa’s lawyer stresses that this statement is false, baseless, and malicious. The legal letter further claims that this statement has caused serious damage to Rajapaksa’s reputation and has created a false opinion in society. It also points out that this statement triggered a protest in the Tangalle area on September 8, 2025.
Namal Rajapaksa, a lawyer by profession, has been serving in Parliament since 2010 and has also held the position of Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports. He is the national organizer of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna and stood as the party’s candidate in the 2024 presidential election. His legal counsel highlights that Rajapaksa has built a strong reputation for public service, political leadership, and youth empowerment both in Sri Lanka and abroad.
The letter instructs Sunil Watagala to hold a media conference within three days and issue a public apology to Namal Rajapaksa for his statement. If he fails to comply, he is ordered to pay compensation of one billion rupees within 14 days.
If these demands are not fulfilled, Attorney Karunaratne has stated that he will proceed with filing a lawsuit demanding damages along with legal fees and other costs.
