Baseless allegations to tarnish me- Minister Wijenayake

Chaminda Perera

Cultural Affairs Minister Piyasiri Wijenayake yesterday said certain elements were engaged in a futile effort to deter the Government's endeavour to effect a cultural renaissance in the country by levelling baseless allegations against him.

"We are committed to carry forward President Mahinda Rajapaksa's vision towards the creation of well cultured society and our program continues unabated despite various allegations which are aimed at hampering this process," he said.

Addressing the Media at the Cultural Affairs Ministry, the Minister refuted the allegation made by UNP parliamentarian Dayasiri Jayasekera that the fuel bill of his official vehicle topped over Rs. 180,000.

"A Government Minister can use three vehicles but I use only one vehicle and its diesel bill was only Rs. 47,000. We are using public funds in a very responsible manner and not a single occasion have I used this vehicle for my personal purposes," the Minister stressed.

The Minister said he felt that the diesel bill for his official vehicle was high and informed the Ministry Secretary for the implementation of a mechanism to prevent this situation just two weeks before UNP parliamentarian Dayasiri Jayasekera alleged that his diesel bill was as high as Rs. 108,290.00. He said the Ministry has put in place a new plan to effect a cultural renaissance in the country and certain elements who oppose this move are engaged in tarnishing his public image by levelling various allegations against him.