Minister’s son caught smoking e-cigarette in school, MP alleges

MP also claims that a deputy minister’s daughter lodged a complaint with the HRC after being denied a prefect appointment, leading to pressure on the school principal

PM dismisses the claims, saying the govt. will not respond to gossip

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana   

Dropping a bomb shell in Parliament, opposition MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake yesterday alleged that a son of a cabinet minister had been found smoking an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) At Badulla Mahavidayalaya recently. “We have never heard of e cigarettes but this boy who happened to be a son of a cabinet minister has been found smoking an e-cigarette,” the MP said.   

Coming up with another shocking disclosure the MP said a daughter of a deputy minister who is also from Baddula has lodged a complaint with the Human Rights Commission against a school principal for not appointing her as a prefect.  

 “The Principal has been forced to appoint the child as a prefect after the lodging of the complaint,” he said.   

“Indictments will be filed against me for making these disclosures today,” he added.   

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya who referred to the allegations said the government will not respond to gossip.   

“We don’t respond to gossip. We understand that there are a few MPs who often crack jokes. We are happy that there are one or two such MPs in the opposition. “Parliament needs light moments as it cannot be serious all the time,” she said.