Rural Economy Minister Bandula Gunewardene who lashed out at the JVP on Wednesday challenged the JVP who murdered people, robbed gold and ruined the economy to prove he had been arrested in China or had been away from the country for a long period.

Referring to a statement issued by the JVP which he claimed had false allegations Gunew-ardene said that if at least one allegation could be proved within 14 days, he would resign from the cabinet portfolio as the UNF government was trying to establish a new culture in politics.

The minister denied attempts to sell gold in Central Bank vaults by the government and pointed out that what the government planned to sell was the gold looted by the JVP. "We will auction that gold through the Gems and Jewellery Authority", he said.

The minister also said that he had at no time in his political life referred to the alleged Batalanda torture chamber nor issued statements to that effect as claimed by the JVP.

He said the value of the gold "robbed" by the JVP would be estimated shortly before it was auctioned. (PG)