Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga has denied categorically that UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, met her during the Presidential Election Campaign of 1994 and provided her with confidential information regarding the campaign strategies of the late Gamini Dissanayake – the UNP Presidential Candidate.

Issuing a statement her office said, “Madam Chandrika Kumaratunga has noted with surprise, reports of statements made by several Senior Members of the present Cabinet to the effect that Mr. Ranil Wickremasinghe, Leader of the UNP, met her during the Presidential Election Campaign of 1994 and provided her with confidential information regarding the campaign strategies of the late Mr Gamini Dissanayake – the UNP Presidential Candidate.”

The statement also said that Madam Kumaratunga categorically denies this assertion. Mr Wickremasinghe did not at any time, give her any information about Mr. Dissanayake’s or the UNP’s campaign.

The office of the former President Sri Lanka further revealed that Mr. Wickremasinghe did pay a courtesy call on her after she assumed duties as Prime Minister, in his capacity as the outgoing Prime Minister. He also called on her at the time she left office as Executive President. Likewise Madam Kumaratunga called on President D B Wijetunga, at the time he retired from office to bid him farewell. This is a customary practice of cultured persons.

In conclusion the statement pointed out , Madam Kumaratunga wishes to add that she is not in any way surprised that senior members of her party failed to understand this, as very few of them took the trouble to indulge in this little courtesy at the time she left office as President.

Source : Asian Tribune