"It’s a political threat to the public servants by the UNP."
- Lalith Weeratunga

By Athula Pushpakumara

Oct 04, Colombo: The Secretary to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has denied the UNP's allegations of using public funds to organize the Prime Minister’s political meetings at the 'Temple Trees'. The PM's Secretary said all allegations made by the UNP were totally false and baseless.

“It’s a political threat to the public servants by the UNP,” Mr. Lalith Weeratunga said. He added that the UNP has failed to submit any substantial evidence to support their claims.

Mr. Weeratunga, a prominent civil servant in the public service, said the government has not spent any funds for entertainment, and he has not authorized any payment for the same.

“I will respond to them shortly," he said of the allegations.

In a letter to Mr. Weeratunga, the UNP Assistant Secretary had said: “The United National Party has noted with dismay the abuse of public funds by the Prime Minister in using his official residence, 'Temple Trees', for political purposes. This is abuse not only of public funds, but of public property. On behalf of the UNP I am hereby putting you on notice that as Secretary to the Prime Minister and chief accounting officer of the Prime Minister's Office, you will personally be held accountable for the misuse of public funds and public property by your office for political purposes.”