EPDP alleges NPP propagating lies over ministerial portfolio

The EPDP has denied the NPP’s claim that its leader Douglas Devananda sought a ministerial portfolio in a future NPP government when he met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to exchange views on proposed fisheries projects and poaching carried out by the Indian fishing fleet in Sri Lankan waters.

In a strongly-worded statement, the EPDP has contradicted a declaration made by JVP National Organiser and former MP Bimal Ratnayake during a public rally held in Jaffna in support of NPP candidates contesting the Jaffna electoral district.

The EPDP accused the NPP of propagating lies ahead of the forthcoming general election. The EPDP said former Fisheries Minister Devananda and President Dissanayake had discussed matters pertaining to talks between Sri Lanka and India on the poaching issue.

“The discussions covered projects launched during Devananda’s tenure as the Minister as well as fresh initiatives. Altogether, 37 specific issues were taken up over the phone,” a senior official said, adding that they had met at the Presidential Secretariat on Oct 25, four days before the Indo-Lanka dialogue on fisheries issues.

The party spokesman emphasized that Devananda had not made any statements about ministerial portfolios or an assurance received from President Dissanayake in that regard. “We didn’t seek any political advantage,” he said, urging Bimal Ratnayake not to deceive the public.