Rishad Challenges Rev.Aananda Thero

In a press Conference held  today in CWE Head Office Auditorium Minister of Commerce and Industry Hon.Rishad Bathiudeen said that during last  few days malice propaganda slinging mud on him has been carried out by some Forces.One of  such forces is an organization formed t protect Wilpattu Forest Reserve   led by Rev.Aanantha Thero.They made use of electronic,press media network , Facebook and Webs to do  this extensive propaganda campaign in Shinhala and English Languages.Rev. Aananda Thero has invited Youths under the  guise of protecting Wilpattu  by telling them lies to carry out  this propaganda campaign.Youths who gathered for the demonstration have told Rishad that Rev.Aananda Thero has voiced communally spreading hatred among ethnic groups  A Religious leader making such false allegation is unbecoming of a Religious leader. He has accused that Wilpattu Forest Reserve has been destroyed and Muslims were brought from out side and settle there.Further drug business has also been carried out in Wilpattu areas, where Muslims were settled.All these  utter lies has been uttered by Rev.Aananda Thero.Rishad has thrown a challenge to Aananda Thero  to prove that Rishad has settled even a single Muslim family in Wilpattu. Minister categorically stated that if Rev.Aananda Thero proves that Rishad has settled even a single Muslim family in Wilpattu Forest Reserve,he would leave Politics.   If they are really patriotic and interested  in protecting the Environment ,he challenged them to come for a debate in any of the electronic media organizations.Give me the day,time and venue for the debate.Unlike other MP’s ,I shall not remain  silent or get frightened to speak on behalf of Muslim’s resettlement.If I also do like other MPs ,there won’t be any one to speak on behalf of them.Allah who  blessed me to this world is with me.I shall come over all obstacles placed on our path to resettle Muslims in their own native land.I am prepared even to sacrifice my life for the   sake of settling displaced Muslims.If the President ask me to to resign from my Ministry Portfolio ,I will oblige.If a new electoral system is to be introduced ,it should satisfy all the groups in the island including minorities.If Major Parties tries to impose a new electoral system against the wishes of Minorities ,I will come forward to fight against it.  During question time ,one of the press men asked why can’t Refugees be settled in Jaffna.In answering he said that they were chased out from 5 villages located between Wilpattu and Mannar.What the Refugees wanted are  to  settle them in their own land  where they lived for decades.Their names were registered in those electoral areas where they lived.Their dry ration card bears evidence.They were resettled after following all government procedures. Despite these facts they deliberately carry out false propaganda,Rishad said.