While saying that it was unfair to find fault with someone like Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, who has not been found guilty, Plantation Minister Navin Dissanayake said yesterday Minister Bathiudeen turned emotional when he spoke at the Cabinet meeting about the false allegations levelled against him.
Responding to questions raised by journalists, Mr. Dissanayake said it seemed that many including the media were attempting to blacklist Minister Bathiudeen which only amounted to an act of racialism.
“All the UNP MPs will give their support to Mr. Bathiudeen when the NCM is taken up for debate,” Mr. Dissanayake said.
When asked about the statement made by State Minister Niroshan Perera that he would vote in favour of the NCM, Mr. Dissanayake said the State Minister had mistakenly said so.
“Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe discussed the matter with the State Minister yesterday,” he added.
(Daily Mirror)