Deputy Minister of Social Services, Welfare and Livestock Development Ranjan Ramanayake yesterday (09) challenged National Freedom Front leader Wimal Weerawansa for an open debate.

Sharing a video on his official Facebook page Ramanayake said that he has never said anything about ‘hanging himself’ if 10,000 people attended the pro-Mahinda rally in Kandy.

“I didn’t say that I will hang myself if the organizers could bring at least 10,000 people to the pro-Mahinda rally which was held in Kandy. But Weerawansa is going here and there saying that I must now hang myself.  Therefore I would like to challenge Weerawansa for a face to face debate to prove whether I said such thing actually or not.”

“I don’t know why Weerawansa selected me as a subject for spreading his false rumors. But I have no hatred towards him. President Sirisena said he gained many votes just because of Weerawansa’s speeches” he further said.

The deputy minister said Wimal Weerawansa, Udaya Gammanpla and Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera were the people who should take the whole responsibility of former president Rajapaksa’s defeat.

“If Weerawansa accept my challenge then I can show ‘files’ I have about his corruptions. I handed over most of the files to bribery commission. I can still prove the corruptions done by Weerawansa” he said.