“I will prove that I am not guilty” amid of Death-Threats: Minister Rishard Bathiudeen

 

A notice has been released yesterday (4) to Industry Minister Rishard Bathiudeen to appear before court to plead his case regarding the illegal deforestation and rehabilitation in Wilapattu on the 16th of September.

This is response to the petition filed by the Natural Justice Center naming Minister Rishard alongside 6 others as those responsible.

To express his thoughts regarding the matter Minister Rishard Bathiudeen called a media briefing at the Industry and Commerce Ministry yesterday (6).

He shared his thoughts stating that this was a very good opportunity for him to prove his innocence.

He also claimed that he has evidence to prove that the deforested area where he settled families was in fact an area inhabited by people since 1906, and the list of people eligible for voting in 1990 will further confirm his claim.

He further elaborated that his endeavors to rehabilitate displaced peoples in Wilapattu was done in accordance to how it was done across the country.

He disregarded the frenzy created by this scenario as an attempt by extremist groups to exaggerate and needlessly portray the situation. He further stated that the media needlessly portrayed incident in an incorrect light.

The Minister concluded that he constantly gets anonymous threats and blackmail calls and stated that he will call a media briefing regarding this in the near future.

ACMC, contesting in this election in the Districts of Vanni, Ampara, Batticaloa, Trinco, Puttalam, and Kurunegala etc is expecting to win 8 seats, says Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, Leader of ACMC and Vanni Candidate.

“ACMC is looking to win 8 seats in this election-with 2 from list, ACMC has the potential to get 10 MPs in” he said.

“In previous elections, candidates gave various promises to the people of Mannar but did not fulfill them.  But as elected representatives of people here, we have done work.Therefore voters should, with this understanding, choose the correct candidates in the coming election.”