Finance and Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera has requested the Police to probe those spreading false allegations that one of his secretaries was among those arrested in Dubai, including underworld kingpin Makandure Madhush. 

Samaraweera, in a letter to the CID Director, stated that UPFA MPs Thenuka Vidanagamage and Dilan Perera have made false claims about the matter even after he publicly denied the rumours at a press conference in Colombo.

The Minister added they falsely claimed that he was involved in getting a diplomatic passport to a person who was arrested in Dubai.

The Finance Minister also said he would initiate legal action against media institutions that gave publicity to the false allegations in a highly irresponsible manner. 

Meanwhile, some media reports state that the diplomatic passport holder who has been arrested in Dubai is a member of the Kamburupitiya Pradeshiya Sabha. 

However, according to the law of the country, Pradeshiya Sabha members are not entitled to diplomatic Passports by virtue of office.