Former Army Commander Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka lashed out at former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa for saying that the former Army Commanders were aware of a shelter being built at the President’s House.

Speaking to a news website, Fonseka said that he was not aware if such a bunker was constructed at the President’s House. He said that he offered the support of the army if the construction of a bunker was required. However, the former president continuously refused the request made by him, he said.

Therefore, he had not seen such a bunker or a house, Fonseka elaborated. He also said that this controversial 'luxurious underground palace' was constructed on the sly with collaboration with former Navy Commander.

Fonseka also said that the expenditure for the underground shelter has to be released to the public.

Speaking on the underground shelter, former president Mahinda Rajapaksa recently said that the place is a 'bunker' which was built to hold meetings of the Security Council at a time of an air attack. But contradicting his brother, Gotabaya Rajapaksa on October 28 described the place as a 'house', not a 'bunker'.