Public Security Ministry Secretary Major General (Rtd) Jagath de Alwis has questioned if claims made by former Consumer Affairs Executive Director Thushan Gunawardene were real or if they were a 'publicity campaign'.

His comments come on the heels of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa instructing Public Security Minister rear Admiral (Rtd) Sarath Weerasekera to conduct a comprehensive investigation into allegation Gunwardene has made about receiving death threats and also that a white van had arrived near his residence looking for his house.

"He gives all these stories to the newspapers. He first gives the information about the death threats to the newspapers. Therefore, we also have doubts as to whether this is a propaganda campaign. People with more reasonable issues lodge complaints and remain silent,” the Morning newspaper reported him as saying.

However, de Alwis said an investigation would be held and necessary action would be taken. 'There is no room for such threats' he said.