Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said the management of Derana tendered an apology over the incident where  UNP Parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayake allegedly gave a telephone call to Aluthgamage during a political programme.

Aluthgamage, who appeared on the same show last nigh, said he was in possession of all the details pertaining to the phone call which, according to him, was given from a mobile number that was registered under Ramanayake’s name.

The Minister also added that he was in a position to take legal action against Derana and its Director (News) Shehan Baranage over the incident.

However, as an immediate damage control measure, Derana TV removed its Director (News) Shehan Baranage from daily operations of the channel following the incident. The channel also started an immediate inquiry in the matter.

The controversy occurred when a  caller named Sunil from Matara gave a telephone call to Sports Minister Aluthgamage and leveled serious allegations against him saying the Minister’s wife was aware of all his alleged “malpractices”. Following the telephone call, Minister Aluthgamage walked out of the TV show, accusing Derana TV station of supporting the political campaign of the opposition.

Soon after the show, Aluthgamage lodged a complaint with the Mirihana Police and subsequent to the complaint, the Police later revealed that the telephone number of the caller is registered under UNP Parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayake’s name.