Prison Reforms State Minister Lohan Ratwatte said he did not visit a sacred religious site in Anuradhapura under the influence of alcohol.

It was reported on social media that a heated situtation occured near Ruwanweliseya in Anuradhapura when a state minister, who was under the influence of Alcohol, had come to pay homage to the temple at around 1 am yesterday (07). Members of the security forces posted at the entrance of the temple had prevented the state minister and his vehicles from entering the premises.

Chief Incumbent of the Ruwanweliseya Ven. Pallegama Hemaratana Thera stated that such an incident was reported to him. However, the chief incumbent said he was not aware whether the state minister was under the influence of alcohol.

However, commenting on the matter, State Minister Lohan Ratwatte said he had no connection whatsoever to such an incident. He said there was a mud-singing campaign targeting him as he had started to "clean up" prisons.