Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration and Management J. Dadallage defended former head of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission Anusha Palpita over the 'sil-redi' incident where he was allegedly involved in the expenditure of Rs 600 million to the people who observed sil.

This distribution allegedly occurred on a full moon day just prior to the 2015 Presidential Election.

In an interview to a vernacular newspaper, Dadallage pointed out that no one is guilty until proven and even the media had jumped the ship in declaring Palpita's guilt.

The said money had been allocated on a request of the then Presidential Secretary and with the knowledge and approval of the director board of the TRC, Dadallage said. The white cloth was purchased through another ministry.