Hashim, Rahuman deny any ties with extremists

• I have always worked with Buddhist monks: Kabir

By Yohan Perera   

A former UNP MP and a former minister yesterday denied reports -- citing proceedings of the PCoI on the Easter Sunday attacks  --  which alleged that they had been associated with extremists. 

Former minister Kabir Hashim denied he had worked with two Turkish terrorists who had come to Sri Lanka in the guise of investors. “I vehemently deny these allegations as I have never associated with these two persons,” he said.“I have always worked with Buddhist monks in my Kegalle electorate and has even donated land to build Buddhist Temples,” he said.   
Mr. Hashim said some interested parties were out to destroy him politically.   

Meanwhile, former UNP MP Mujibur Rahuman also denied the statement given by former MP Wijedasa Rajapaksha to the PCoI. “Mr. Rajapaksha has mentioned my name on the list he had handed over to the commission as having been associated with extremists. I have never associated with any extremist,” he said.   Mr. Rahuman said he had written to the PCoI seeking an opportunity to crossexamine Mr. Rajapaksha.