By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana   

As the Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP Nalin Bandara Jayamaha  alleged that three cabinet ministers have given orders to SP  Keerthiratne to open fire at the protesters in Rambukkana on Tuesday,  Minister Kanaka Herath denied the allegation.

   “It has been three ministers from Kandy, Hambantota and  Kegalle District have ordered SP Keerthiratne to open fire at the  protesters of Rambukkana. I request a full investigation on the incident.  It is essential to examine the phone conversations of these Ministers,”  he said.   

Also he alleged that SP Keerthiratne was a police officer  who have been illegally promoted as a result of political influence. “This SP was once given a punishment transfer after having found under  the influence of liquor during duty hours.   

Minister Herath who responded denied the charges. We have  never influenced the police in any way,” he said while calling for an  investigation on the incident to determine the truth.