Campaign to defame Ranil, alleges Ruwan
United National Party (UNP) Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene firmly condemned the baseless statements made since the last Presidential Election, which have continuously spread defamatory and false information targetting former President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
He further noted that while social media reports on October 6 stated that written orders had been issued for the police officers assigned to the security detail of the Eighth Executive President Ranil Wickremesinghe, including the Chief Security Officer, to immediately report to the designated police stations, the Acting Inspector General of Police has denied these reports.
Wijewardene made these remarks during a special briefing to the media in Colombo yesterday (07).
Additionally, he pointed out that neither President Ranil Wickremesinghe nor Mrs. Maithree Wickremesinghe had ever used the Presidential residence for personal purposes and that it was used solely for official duties. He also dismissed the claims of luxurious meals and the employment of foreign chefs as completely false and politically motivated defamatory statements aimed at character assassination.
Continuing his remarks, Ruwan Wijewardene stated:
“Since the last Presidential Election, we have seen a constant stream of defamatory and false information being spread on social media against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe. As the United National Party, we strongly reject these statements. Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe rendered a yeoman service to this country, including steering the collapsing economy towards recovery. Yet, some are relentlessly spreading false and defamatory information targetting him.
“There are also social media claims that the security personnel assigned to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe have been removed.
“On Monday, October 6, a written order was issued by Deputy Inspector General of Police – Human Resources Management, Sisira Kumara, on behalf of the Acting Inspector General of Police, regarding the transfer of officers. Accordingly, the order was for the security officers assigned to the Eighth Executive President, including the Chief Security Officer, to report immediately to the designated police stations.
“However, a few hours after these reports circulated on social media, the Acting Inspector General of Police issued a statement denying the media reports, confirming that all officers assigned to the security detail remain in their positions. We trust that he will pay close attention to this matter. Furthermore, a faction linked to the government is attempting to create animosity against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
“Moreover, in recent days, a video of a kitchen in a foreign country was circulated on social media, falsely claiming it to be the kitchen of the Presidential residence used by the former President. These misleading claims are being shared by individuals with low intelligence who fail to understand the truth.
“During his Presidency, Ranil Wickremesinghe only used the Presidential residence in Colombo Fort for official duties, both domestic and international. It must also be noted that President Wickremesinghe and Mrs. Wickremesinghe lived in their private residence.
“Furthermore, it is essential to clarify that the food provided for guests during official events at the Presidential residence was prepared under the guidance of chefs employed at the residence, with ingredients sourced from local suppliers.
There was no occasion where printed foreign food menus or luxurious foreign dishes were arranged, nor were the services of foreign chefs hired based on the personal requests of President Wickremesinghe or Mrs. Wickremesinghe. The false claims circulating about these matters are nothing more than low-level political defamation.
“The United National Party expresses deep regret over this vile character assassination campaign against a leader who, during the most challenging period for Sri Lanka, stood firm and did not abandon his responsibilities, helping the country recover from a severe crisis. We also trust that the people of this country possess the intelligence to distinguish between truth and falsehood.
“At the same time, we call on the current government to focus on fulfilling the expectations of the people as mandated, rather than wasting time engaging in petty defamation campaigns.”
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