Shantha Bandara demands 500 million in compensation for the insult caused to him and the Pohottuwa (SLPP party symbol) by the false accusations made against his son.

Former State Minister Shanta Bandara has lodged a complaint with the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission, stating that his son has no connection to the allegations of extorting 20 million rupees belonging to a Chinese national in the Kollupitiya area. He is requesting 500 million rupees in compensation for the damage to his reputation and that of the political party he represents, caused by the false propaganda.

Addressing the media, the former State Minister emphasized that the fabricated story linking his son to this crime is like a movie script. Pointing out serious inconsistencies in the police investigations regarding the incident, he accused investigators of providing conflicting information regarding the location where his suspect son was at the time of the incident. He further stated that the police, who initially claimed his son was within 500 meters of the incident site, later said he was in the Narahenpita and Rajagiriya areas.

Mr. Shanta Bandara stated that the police were unable to confirm these allegations during questioning by his lawyers in court, and declared that his political rivals are engaging in character assassination by targeting his minor son to take revenge on him. He also mentioned that the individuals behind this conspiracy and the reasons that influenced it would be revealed to the public in detail in the future.

In connection with the incident, Anuda Janadith Bandara, son of the former State Minister, was arrested on July 21, and the Fort Magistrate's Court granted permission for the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to question him for 24 hours. Subsequently, on July 23, Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasekara ordered Anuda Bandara and five other suspects to be remanded until July 27. The police informed the court that investigations would also be conducted into cryptocurrency transactions, in addition to phone and bank records.

Subsequently, when the case was recalled on July 27, Anuda Bandara and the five other suspects were granted bail. The court ordered their release on personal bail of 500,000 rupees each and also prohibited the suspects from traveling abroad. This granting of bail does not confirm the charges or result in an acquittal, and legal proceedings related to the incident will continue.