Minister Lakshman Kiriella denied claims that his staff members were involved in defamatory propaganda against President Maithripala Sirisena and causing racial disharmony in the country. 

Issuing a statement this evening, Kiriella said his staffers had merely translated an article published in the Colombo Telegraph into Sinhala and tried to circulate it among temples and political activists.  

The Minister said the content of the said article had not been denied by any party so far.

The Minister also added that members of his staff also had a right to make the public aware of important developments in the country. 

However, the Police today raided Kiriella's ministry premises at the World Trade Centre today and seized printers and computers that used to generate the alleged defamatory letters against the President. 

Meanwhile, three members of Kiriella's personal staff, who were arrested yesterday at the Colombo Central Mail Exchange yesterday,  are currently being questioned by the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD). 

They were arrested last night with 600 letters defaming President Maithripala Sirisena and causing racial disharmony.