We will never allow country's division - Dinesh

Chief Government Whip and Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said in Parliament yesterday that he has the courage to even leave the House if he is being dragged out for questioning a member for breaching the oaths taken by him in order to preserve integrity of the country in accordance with the Constitution.

Minister Gunawardena made this observation in response to a statement made by UNP MP Jayalath Jayawardena in connection with the incident that caused a commotion in the House on Thursday.

Minister Gunawardena stated that we have only one country and we would never allow anyone to divide it.

He said that in accordance with the Constitution, oaths have been taken to preserve the Nation's unity and there is no room for a member to support a separation of this country within or outside the country.

Stating that he responded to the statement by MP Jayalath Jayawardena as he mentioned his name, Minister Gunawardena said that those traitors gathered keeping all the channels across the world informed and if someone discusses with pro-LTTE groups he should have the courage to reveal his stance. "If I spoke with them, I will tell it in the open," the Minister said.

"The TNA members those days had dialogues with the LTTE and told it openly. If a particular member acts against the country after flying with a VIP passport, that is an incident that affects the dignity of the House."

He added that when one enters Europe, he could go anywhere freely.

The Minister also added that during the Parliamentarians four day stay in London, if he supported the country's division, or discussed to do so, conspired, accepted money or urged them to achieve their ends, he could not escape.

The Minister added that his responsibility as the Chief Government Whip is to protect the country, Government and the President. "Nobody is allowed to work against the Constitution," Gunewardena said.

UNP MP Jayawardene in his statement stated that Minister Gunawardena alleged on Thursday that he joined the protest with Tamil nationals at the Heathrow airport in London when the President arrived on November 29.

It was a baseless allegation, he said.

Jayawardena added that he went to Italy on November 19 and stayed in Rome and Milan.

He said that he went to London on November 24 and returned to Milan on November 28. He added that he returned to Sri Lanka on December 1.