Kariyawasam denies stinting support for Premadasa

• Says Sirikotha did its best to support smooth running of presidential campaign 
• Denies allegations of campaign funds misuse  

United National Party (UNP) General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam yesterday denied that the party had stinted in its support of New Democratic Front (DNF) presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa and sidestepped allegations of the misuse of campaign funds.  

Issuing a statement in response to remarks made by Development Strategies and International Trade Deputy Minister Nalin Bandara, Kariyawasam said: “The main operations of Premadasa’s campaign were handed over to the operations office on Vauxhall Street and Tissa Attanayake was appointed the Head of Operations.”

Kariyawasam went on to say that the collection of funds for the election campaign was a responsibility of the Vauxhall Street office and any inquiries on the misuse of funds would have to be directed to that particular office.

“A number of review meetings were held involving those at a leadership level as well as those in lower tiers,” he said, adding that, “no accusations of this nature were made at these meetings.”

In the statement, Kariyawasam also said that the tasks assigned to the Sirikotha headquarters by the main operations office were carried out successfully and that any support from the party as well as any other duties requested from Sirikotha were carried out to the best of their abilities.