Western Province Council Member Udaya Gammanpila stated yesterday that he will offer the biggest prize given in a competition in Sri Lanka if anyone could prove that he decided to support President Mahinda Rajapaksa for monetary gains.

Speaking at a press briefing at Sri Lanka Freedom Party office yesterday, Gammanpila noted that there were rumors circulating that he had crossed over for money.

These rumors claim that he crossed over since the government agreed to consider a Rs. 800 million loan he had apparently taken from a government bank as bad debt. Others also claim the government agreed that a Rs. 15 million loan as bad debt. Meanwhile, stories were circulating that he was paid money to make his move, Gammanpila said.

He added that he will pay back the said amounts to anyone who proves that the stories are true. If someone proves that a bank loan of Rs 800 million was considered by the government as paid, he will give that person a prize of Rs 800 million, Gammanpila said. Similarly, if other stories are proven as true by anyone, that amount will be paid as a prize, he added.

Udaya Gammanpila, a leader of the Jathika Hela Urumaya from its beginning, left the government when his party decided to leave a few weeks ago. But later, Gammanpila returned, supporting president Mahinda Rajapaksa.