Opposition MPs Gayantha Karunathilaka, Harshana Rajakaruna, and Kins Nelson have raised concerns over the government’s mentioning of their names in connection to a list of people who had obtained fuel sheds through political links.
Addressing the Parliament today, Chief Opposition Whip Gayantha Karunathilaka said that the fuel station mentioned had been obtained by his grandfather, even before he was born.
“The only fuel station in my family was started in 1955 by my grandfather. That fuel station has remained with my family over the last 70+ years. It is not illegal. As such, I do not understand why my name has been mentioned. He urged the government to investigate the history of his family’s fuel shed and consider whether it was just to include his name in the list,” he said.
Also commenting on the matter, Opposition MP Harshana Rajakaruna said his name has also been included in the list of persons who had obtained fuel stations using political influence.
Refuting the claims, MP Rajakaruna said they were false and that he does not own a fuel station at present.
“My grandfather had owned a fuel station. This was even before I was born. However, we do not own a fuel station now. Our relatives have the right to do whatever business they want. Stop using our names and claiming political influence,” he said.
Also speaking on the matter, Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP Kins Nelson, from the Polonnaruwa District, clarified that he does not own any fuel station.
Along with the other SJB MPs, he called on the Speaker to correct the false information regarding them.
The three SJB Parliamentarians’ comments come after Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra disclosed in Parliament yesterday that several Opposition politicians have associated with a major distributor in the country causing the fuel distribution crisis.
“We also found out that former President Chandrika Kumaratunga, the personal security officer of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, former Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, the sister of former Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi, former Minister Prasanna Ranatunga and friends of SJB MPs Harshana Rajakaruna, Ranjith Madduma Bandara and Gayantha Karunathileka have been associated with the fuel distributor,” the Deputy Minister informed Parliament.
Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra further alleged that the opposition was behind the fuel distribution crisis in the country. (Newswire)
