The story that Hulangamuwa worked with Ranil is a lie - Handunnetti's reply to Harsha

The government has strongly rejected the statement made by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Member of Parliament Harsha de Silva that Mr. Duminda Hulangamuwa, economic advisor to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, also served as an economic advisor to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Leader of the House and Minister Bimal Rathnayake, speaking in Parliament yesterday, emphasized that the statement in question was completely false. Therefore, he requested the MP to withdraw the statement.

The Minister pointed out that Mr. Duminda Hulangamuwa had informed him that he had never served as an economic advisor to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe or any other President or Prime Minister. The Minister also informed the House that the position he holds under the current National People's Power (NPP) government is the first time he has been appointed to such a position.

Mr. Bimal Rathnayake clarified that during his time as Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Duminda Hulangamuwa only held official positions by serving as a member of various committees. "Apart from that, Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe has not appointed him to any position," he further stated before the House.

This controversial statement was made by MP Harsha de Silva in Parliament on Wednesday. He had stated that Mr. Duminda Hulangamuwa, whom President Dissanayake consults, had previously served as an economic advisor to Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe as well.