JVP MP Sunil Handunnetti yesterday claimed that a six month's service extension had been given to People's Bank General Manager Wasantha Kumara despite the COPE's instruction to refrain from doing so and urged the government to recover the salary paid to him.

He told parliament that Mr. Kumara had been paid a monthly salary Rs.2.3 million, adding that he had also obtained Rs.35 million as salary arrears.

Mr. Handunnetti said Minister Lakshman Kiriella had also assured parliament that Mr. Kumara's service would not be extended and asked who was behind his service extension.

The MP said the Peoples' Bank rating had dropped to fourth place from second place, under Mr. Kumara and there was no reason to give him a service extension.

He said what he had done was to tour the world.

State Minister of Finance, Eran Wickramaratne said a service extension had been given to Mr. Kumara on a decision taken by the Peoples' bank and that his extension would end this month. (Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera)