24 November 2017 11:37 pm
The minister yesterday issued a statement on the news item published in the Daily Mirror.
“My attention has been drawn to the news item, “SB calls former minister Wijeyadasa a Donkey” which appeared in the first page of your newspaper of 24/11/17 and wish to state that your interpretation was completely different to what I meant.
"It was never my intention to issue a statement that would embarrass former minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe. I broadly used that term in referring to those opposed to a programme like the Samurdhi, which was launched to alleviate poverty. My statement was not directed at him but one driven by emotion, and I express my regret if my statement had caused him any embarrassment,” Minister Dissanayake said.