Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has not asked for foreign chefs, foreign food and additional security, UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene said today.

Mr. Wijewardene said in a special statement that the party believes the comment made by Acting IGP that the withdrawal of Mr. Wickremesinghe’s security was cancelled and that his security has been restored.

Following is the statement made by Mr. Wijewardene in this regard.

We have noticed a mudslinging campaign against former President Ranil Wickremesigne especially after the presidential election over social media. What is said in these reports are totally false and we vehemently condemn this exercise.

It was reported that security details of the former President have been withdrawn and the said officers are expected to report to the police divisions they have been transferred to.  However the Acting IGP has denied this report and said these officers are still engaged in providing security for Mr Wickremeisnghe. We believe the Acting IGP and expect him to focus on the situation.

Also neither the former President nor Madom Maithri Wickremesinghe used the President’s House for their personal use. They only used it for official work. The allegation that they have asked for foreign chefs and had consumed foreign food are totally false.  This is a statement which is issued with malice. Food was purchased for the President’s House from local suppliers.

Also the video which is circulated claiming it to be the kitchen at the President’s house is totally false. This is being shared by less intelligent persons.

We in the UNP are saddened by the mudslinging campaign which tries to assassinate the character of Mr. Wickremeisnghe who is a person who performed his duty towards the nation. We believe that the citizens of this country have the intelligence to understand the truth. We also like to tell those who are behind the campaign to focus on fulfilling the aspirations of the people who gave them a mandate to rule this nation.

(Daily Mirror)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by Daily Mirror has not been edited by SLM staff)