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In a response to Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka’s allegation that Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe had obtained bribes from Avant Garde Maritime Services (Pvt) Ltd., the minister said today he would sue Field Marshal Fonseka demanding Rs.500 million in damages for making a derogatory statement against him.
The minister told a news conference that he had asked his lawyers to take necessary steps to sue Field Marshal Fonseka.
“I have not taken a cent from Avant Garde. When JVP leader Anura Kumara made this allegation in parliament, I challenged him to a debate on this matter and said I would resign from my portfolio if it was proved correct. But he did not take up my challenge,” the minister said.
He said Field Marshal Fonseka was criticizing him during the past few months over several matters including that of my not taking action to arrest former defense secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa as demanded by the Field Marshal.
“He kept forcing me to arrest Mr. Rajapaksa even without any evidence but I refused to do so. He was keen on taking revenge from Mr. Rajapaksa,” the minister said.(Ajith Siriwardana)
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