The fast unto death he launched regarding the nine school children denied a school was a last resort after all other avenues proved futile, Deputy Minister Palitha Thewarapperuma said.

Addressing the media yesterday, Thewarapperuma criticized the claim by Western Province Education Minister Ranjith Somawansa that he is carrying out politics based on physical prowess.

Thewarapperuma claimed that he is a politician who is in the side of the people and a person who tries to understand their plight.

He insisted that all officials including the Zonal Education Director and the Education Minister were informed of the problem faced by the nine children.

Even after the fast unto death was launched, five children and their parents were sent to the Presidential Secretariat to inform the President of the matter, he added.