Categories: PoliticsHeadlines

Alleged Russian backing for Namal: Moscow seeks explanation from Colombo

Russia has sought an explanation from Sri Lanka as regards a recent claim by Finance and Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera that Russia funded a special propaganda unit backing UPFA/Joint Opposition MP Namal Rajapaksa.

A spokesperson for the Russian embassy in Colombo yesterday told The Island that they had noted Minister Samaraweera’s statement and requested an explanation from the Foreign Ministry. The Russian embassy said so, in response to The Island query whether Sri Lanka had taken up the alleged Russian project in support of MP Rajapaksa with the Russian embassy in Colombo in the wake of Samaraweera’s allegation.

Former Foreign Minister Samaraweera recently told a gathering in Matara that Namal Rajapaksa was receiving Russian help. Samaraweera said that he was making the statement with responsibility.

The accusations were directed at Russia in the wake of China being accused of funding President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s 2015 re-election bid to the tune of USD 7.6 mn.

Recently, former External Affairs Minister and Chairman of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Prof. G.L. Peiris alleged that the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe government was busy antagonizing Security Council members China and Russia by making frivolous charges.

Lankanewspapers

Recent Posts

LNP – Market value of EPF investments in CSE exceed Rs. 100 billion

The market value of the investments made by the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) in companies…

4 hours ago

LNP – Cigarette prices increased

The prices of cigarettes have been increased from tomorrow (January 11) in line with the…

4 hours ago

LNP – Liquor prices increase with excise duty hike

The prices of liquor will also increase by approximately 6% following the hike in Excise…

4 hours ago

LNP – Former Ambassador Udayanga Weeratunga arrested

Former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia, Udayanga Weeratunga, has been arrested by the Mirihana Police.

16 hours ago

LNP – Nearly 1,000 containers stranded at Colombo Port due to clearance delays

The Container Transport Vehicle Owners Association reports that between 800 to 1,000 container transport vehicles…

20 hours ago

LNP – Banks’ SRR under review for improved policy execution

Objective once again is to further make the monetary policy implementation effective while making it…

20 hours ago