Unfair to blame Bathiudeen

• Niroshan mistakenly said will vote for NCM

By Sheain Fernandopulle 

While saying it was unfair to find fault with someone like Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, who has not been found guilty, Plantation Minister Navin Dissanayake said on Tuesday 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. The Prime Minister discussed the matter with the State Minister on Tuesday, he added.

Attempting to blacklist Minister Bathiudeen will only amount to an act of racialism