• Aluthgamage says 22 SJB MPs received liquor license

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana   

Ruling party MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara had a showdown in Parliament yesterday over liquor licenses issued to parliamentarians.

During the debate on the mid-year financial performance of the government, Aluthgamage said that liquor licenses had been issued to 22 Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MPs including one of its party’s senior office bearers.   

During the debate on the mid-year financial performance of the government, Aluthgamage said that liquor licenses had been issued to 22 Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MPs including one of its party’s senior office bearers.   

“These MPs from the SJB had accepted liquor licenses from President Ranil Wickremesinghe through the back door,” Aluthgamage” revealed.   

 “We would like to know as to how a man who worked for a monthly salary of Rs 2500 has become a millionaire today. He has also purchased a house worth US $ 72 million abroad,” Madduma Bandara said.   

“You are talking of me purchasing a house abroad at US 72 million. It is a big sum . You prove your allegation,” Aluthgamage shot back.   
“There were number of court cases against you and you got the government to withdraw them,” Madduma Bandara said.   
“No cases were withdrawn but I was acquitted from seven cases as I was found innocent,” Aluthgamage replied.