Video: UNP vague on John’s junket

7 January 2014 11:12 am

The main opposition United National Party (UNP) was vague in its response when asked whether Chief Opposition Whip John Amaratunga was accompanying President Mahinda Rajapaksa during his Middle East tour.

 “Mr. Amaratunga has informed UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake that he was going on this tour to visit religious sites and as such the party has given him permission to do so,” UNP spokesman Gayantha Karunathilake told a news conference today.  
 
But when asked about Mr. Amaratunga’s participation along with the President at some of the bilateral discussions at a time the UNP had repeatedly criticised the Government for the huge amount of money it spends on foreign tours, Mr. Karunathilake said the party’s view on this matter would be made public later.

(Lahiru Pothmulla)