Minister of Power and Energy and United National Front for Good Governance candidate Patali Champika Ranawaka on July 30 challenged former president and UPFA candidate Mahinda Rajapaksa for an open debate to prove Rajapaksa's innocence on bribing LTTE.

Addressing a public rally Ranawaka hit out at Rajapaksa saying that Rajapaksa's family was responsible for inventing 'white van culture' in order to achieve personal benefits.

"General public of the country will soon come to know who were responsible for the disappearance of journalist Pradeep Ekneligoda and the assassination of newspaper editor Lasantha Wickramatunga," Ranawaka stressed.

Ranawaka who held three ministerial portfolios in Rajapaksa government had challenged Rajapaksa several times that the latter should make a public statement on giving money to LTTE in 2005. On July 23, while addressing an election meeting Ranawaka stated that Rajapaksa bribed LTTE during the Mavil Aru battle asking not to attack the members of Rajapaksa family.

He even questioned why Rajapaksa gave Rs. 8000 lakhs using Tsunami funds through Emil Kanthan to LTTE. Rajapaksa even sent his secretary to Kilinochchi for discussions with Tamil tigers, Ranawaka told.

However issuing a statement Rajapaksa denied all those allegations and said that the ruling coalition leaders were trying to ‘mislead voters’ ahead of the general election.