A media release by the ministry of Industry & Commerce, Resettlement of Protracted Displaced Persons and Co-operative Development says that the LoD demands Rs. one billion over a baseless allegation by Mr. Wickramasinghe concerning the minister's brother.
Mr. Wickramasinghe recently said that the minister and the minister's brother is involved in a scam where Pepper is imported from Vietnam and re-exported as Pepper from Sri Lanka.
He had added that minister Bathiudeen had been involved in the recent removal of the Customs Director General and the involvement was over the Pepper scam.
Noting that these allegations are baseless, the media release says legal redress was sought over the damage made to the minister's image.