Former Minister Wimal Weerawansa denied having said that the Dalada Perahera would be stopped if the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) came to power.
Speaking during a televised political discussion on September 12, he said others had made such claims during the last presidential election campaign.
Weerawansa said ending a traditional cultural festival such as the Perahera was no simple undertaking, adding that even a government pursuing secular policies could not simply stop it from being held.
He further alleged that the current administration held an anti-Buddhist position, but said it would not immediately move to prevent the procession. Any such action, he claimed, would come only at the final stage of a gradual programme.
