The Media Coordinator to former President Chandrika Kumaratunga, referring to our front-page story of October 24, headlined Save CBK Fund Launched said that Ms Kumaratunga hadn’t either requested anyone to collect funds or responded to messages from people who wished to raise funds to pay the ‘sum imposed by the Supreme Court’ in its judgment on land alienation for the construction of Waters Edge and a golf course.

The full text of the Media Coordinator’s letter to The Island:

"The article is a total fabrication. Mrs. Kumaratunga wishes to state that she has not requested anyone to collect funds for her, to pay the sum imposed by the Supreme Court. She has had no time to respond to the judgment as she has been away from Sri Lanka since late September, attending five important conferences in as many countries.

However, she has received messages from people who wish to raise funds to pay the courts but she has not responded to any.

The malicious intent of the author of the said news item becomes evident when he brings in a totally unrelated issue regarding Madam Kumaratunga’s late brother’s estate, employees and pet dogs. She has had no involvement in the management of Anura’s estate or any of his affairs before or after his demise.

President Kumaratunga views with disgust your newspaper’s efforts to malign her, by using, the late Anura Bandaranaike’s name in vain. She requests your newspaper to have the kindness to let his soul rest in peace at least now.

We will also appreciate it if your newspaper could abstain from publishing evidently false information with regard to Madam Kumaratunga."