UNP MP and Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake said he would reveal the names of the drug addicts in Parliament not inside the chambers, but in public allowing the "accused" to prosecute him for defamation if his claims are untrue. 

"I can reveal the names inside Parliament hiding behind Parliament privileges. But I am not shameless like Weeravansa or Rajapaksa who recently criticized judges in Parliament hiding behind privileges. If I say something I will say it outside which is fair by the accused, " Ramanayake said in a series of tweets early this morning. 

Ramanayake's remarks come in the wake of his controversial statement that there are 24 drug users in Parliament including Cabinet, state and deputy ministers. 

"I already have 24 defamation cases filed by drug lords & robbers with highly paid lawyers appearing. when I reveal names in public they will be more cases. I don't have a family to worry & I am not scared.I am wondering whether I need to spend rest of my life in courts, " the Deputy Minister said. 

"Good to see in parliament that Mahinda Rajapaksa who when president went to safeguard  a drug lord in Negombo when a STF raid  happened spoke against drug. 90% MPs I am talking about are in his side including the drug leader who runs Negombo, " he added. 

The UNP, however, has already appointed a committee headed by Lakshman Kiriella to ascertain the truth of Ramanayake's claims.