Yoshitha denies reports using state funds

The Prime Minister's office yesterday denied reports that Yoshitha Rajapaksa, the second son of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, had used state funds or travelled with his wife to India when the Prime Minister had undertaken an official visit there last week.

An authoritative official from Temple Trees told Daily Mirror that Yoshitha had accompanied the Prime Minister, at the latter's request, and had used his personal funds and not incurred any expenses on the state.

When contacted by the Daily Mirror, Yoshitha said he had sought permission and obtained leave from the Navy and the Ministry of Defence, to travel to India with his father, which was Prime Minister Rajapaksa's first overseas visit after having been elected to office last November.

Yoshitha also dismissed reports that his wife had accompanied him during the visit, terming such reports as 'fake news'.

"My wife was not with me. In fact she does not take part in political matters. Reports claiming that she accompanied the delegation to India are completely baseless," Yoshitha said.

Prime Minister Rajapaksa undertook a five-day state visit to India from Feb.7 to 11 and was accompanied by a 10-member delegation which included Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha, EPDP Leader Douglas Devananda, CWC head Arumugam Thondaman and UPFA MP Prasanna Ranaweera, who became unpopular for throwing chilli powder on some MPs in Parliament during the October 2018 constitutional crisis.

Ranaweera being part of the delegation to India with the Prime Minister came under heavy fire with many people questioning on social media as to why he was included in the trip. (JAMILA HUSAIN)