JHU Parliamentarian and General Secretary Patali Champika Ranawaka has apologized to Sir Lester James Peiris about the misunderstanding caused due to an edited photograph of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Sir Lester James Peiris.

Ranawaka on a press conference which was held earlier, presented a photograph in which President Mahinda Rajapaksa was embracing former LTTE Kumaran Padmanadan. Later it was revealed that the photograph was edited and that it was Sir Lester James Peiris who was in the original photograph.

However, writing a letter to the legendary film maker, Ranawaka extended a formal apology and mentioned that he was not at all aware that the photograph was not genuine. Ranwaka apologized to Dr. Peiris over any inconvenience that may have been caused due to the incident.

In his letter, Ranawaka has asserted that by publicising the photograph he wanted to point out that no legal action was carried out against the LTTE’s former second in command Kumaran Padmanadan , who was its chief arms procurer.

The Parliamentarian has also said that the picture was taken from the internet and it was not edited by someone affiliated with the opposition.

After sending the letter, Ranawaka had personally met Sumithra Peiris, wife of Dr. Lester James Peiris and applogized to her over the incident.

The letter JHU Parliamentarian Patali Champika Ranwaka sent to Sir Lester James Peiris is as follows: