Chief Government Whip Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said in Parliament yesterday that the recent statement made by Sports and Tourism Minister Harin Fernando during a recent tourism-related event in India is not the collective view of the government.
The Minister said this while replying to a question raised by Member of Parliament Wimal Weerawansa whether the statement made by Sports and Tourism Minister Harin Fernando that Sri Lanka is part of India is the collective opinion of the Cabinet of Ministers.
Addressing a tourism event to promote Sri Lanka for Indian tourists, Minister Harin Fernando is reported to have stated that Sri Lanka was a part of India.
Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara said that the statement made by Harin Fernando was an invitation to Indians to visit Sri Lanka by highlighting the historical relationship between India and Sri Lanka and those who have not listened to the entire speech make various allegations against the Minister.
In response to that MP Wimal Weerawansa said that “I don’t want a correction personally. If so, the Minister should explain that he did not make such a speech to the public. But the Minister has not made such an explanation yet.”
Responding to an earlier statement made by Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar urging Indians to visit Sri Lanka, Minister Harin Fernando invited Indian tourists to visit Sri Lanka, stating that Sri Lanka is part of India.
Ishara Mudugamuwa