I was misquoted: Asath Sally

11 May 2013 08:34 am

While stating that he does not advocate or support anyone to take up arms against Sri Lanka, former Colombo Deputy Mayor in an affidavit said he was misquoted by the Junior Vikatan magazine published in India.

“I gave an interview to the Junior Vikatan magazine published in India. I state that in the manner in which the interview was published I have been misquoted. Upon realizing this I requested them to publish a correction which has been republished,” he said in his affidavit which was sent to President Mahinda Rajapaksa on thirsday.

The content of the affidavit says:

I gave an interview to the Junior Vikatan magazine published in India. I state that in the manner in which the interview was published I have been misquoted. Upon realizing this I requested them to publish a correction which has been republished.

As a Sri Lankan Muslim I don’t advocate or support anyone to take up arms against the Republic of Sri Lanka as I am fully aware of the consequences and the costs of such a course of action as seen through the three decade war in Sri Lanka.

I have stood for and will continue to stand for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka and for equal rights of all communities.

If anyone is misled by the interview published in the Junior Vikatan or if anyone has been disturbed, I express my regrets.

I attended a conference organized by the “Popular Front of in India” purely on the basis of and invitation extended to me by the said organisation and I participated solely as an invitee for the first time. I had no prior knowledge of the said organisation’s background and their motives.

As a patriotic citizen of the Republic of Sri Lanka and who supports the sovereignty of Sri Lanka I will not and will not support anyone who makes statements against Sri Lanka or its national security and I condemn such actions and statements.