News
US embassy denies bribe charge
View(s):The United States embassy yesterday dismissed as “baseless” allegations made by Resettlement Minister Gunaratne Weerakoon that he was offered a bribe by the US ambassador in Colombo. “The allegations by Minister Gunaratne Weerakoon are baseless. They reflect a fundamental misunderstanding of our engagement with senior government officials and our policy towards Sri Lanka as well as the U.S. political and economic system,” a US embassy official said.
Minister Gunaratne last Thursday said the outgoing US Ambassador Michele Sison had offered him a Green Card and a house in the US.He made the allegation while speaking at a public meeting in Aranwela. Meanwhile former Minister Navin Dissanayaka, who crossed over to the UNP last Sunday said he would make a statement to the CID next week regarding the alleged offer of Rs. 100 million made to him to stay in the Government.
Mr. Dissanayake said the CID had contacted him and asked him it to come to its headquarters to make a formal complaint.