Harin challenges MR to deny taking cash from China through affidavit

• Condemns intimidation of local journalists involved in reporting

UNP Media Spokesman Minister Harin Fernando yesterday issued an open challenge to former president Mahinda Rajapaksa to prove that he that he had never received any financial favours from the China Harbour Corporation, giving an affidavit.

Outlining the many credentials of the New York Times to establish its credibility, the Minister insisted that the paper would not print a falsehood as some claim.

“The New York Times is ranked 17th in the world by circulation. So it never misleads its readers by publishing fake news.” said the Minister.

Condemning the intimidation of local journalists, who were involved in writing the investigative piece, by Rajapaksa and his supporters, the Minister called on the former president to publicly deny receiving any financial assistance from the Chinese company.