Lal Kantha rejects Ranjan Jayalal’s remarks on gifts, says party will reprimand him

Newswire reports that Kaduwela Mayor Ranjan Jayalal made remarks concerning private companies giving gifts and hampers during an event about canal-bank stabilisation work in Arangala, Malabe, on Sunday the 8th. The supplied report excerpt does not include the full account of what Jayalal said.

Newswire reports that Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunnetti condemned the remarks in an interview with News First’s Ilakkkaya programme. Handunnetti said they did not represent the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, the National People’s Power or their members and supporters, and argued that the government should apply the law to its own representatives first.

Newswire reports that Handunnetti said disciplinary action had been proposed and that Jayalal should publicly acknowledge and correct his statement. He also referred to past expulsions of party members for misconduct and said the episode should serve as a warning to party members and public officials.

Newswire reports in a separate, truncated report that Minister K.D. Lal Kantha rejected Jayalal’s remarks and said the party would reprimand him. That excerpt provides no further detail about the proposed response or its timing.