Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardana says that there is a conspiracy to link his name to the much talked about Garlic Scam.
He told Neth FM radio that if no justice is done to him from the government side on this matter, he would consider bidding farewell to politics.
Bandula Gunawardena went on to say that at this moment he would stay silent and not comment on any matter regarding the government which is not related to him.
Meanwhile the Mawbima newspaper report that the minister has also sent a letter of demand (LOD) to former Executive Director of Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) Thushan Gunawardana, who stepped down from his position recently citing ‘unavoidable circumstances’.
In the LOD sent to Thushan Gunawardana, the minister has demanded 1 billion rupees as compensation for damages caused to his reputation and political life by the comments made by the former Executive Director of CAA regarding the Garlic scam.
Minister has also filed a complaint with the IGP over Thushan Gunawardena’s recent statements to the media, blaming the Minister and higher authorities for several major corruption issues pertaining to Lanka Sathosa and the CAA that are reportedly currently taking place.
Thushan Gunawardena had exposed the corruption issues during an exclusive interview with journalist Chamuditha Samarawickrama recently.
Responding to the allegations, Minister Bandula Gunawardena said Thusahn Gunawardena was a political appointee and challenged him to prove his accusations by providing concrete evidence.
Minister Bandula Gunawardena further said if he is found guilty of any of the accusations he will resign from his ministerial portfolio and will never engage in politics again.(NewsWire)