The Young Journalists Association of Sri Lanka has written to Minister of Justice, Wijeyeadasa Rajapakshe asking him to clarify if Attorney Dasun Nagashena appearing for fraudster Thilini Priyamali, is the same Dasun Nagashena mentioned in the Ministry of Justice website as the coordinating secretary of the Minister.

Nagashena appearing for Priyamali was recognized by Maithri Gunaratne PC appearing for the aggrieved as having worked or even works as a junior of Rajapakshe.

This piece of information was revealed after a controversy broke out over Nagashena and the Minister’s son Rakitha Rajapakshe appeared for Thilini Priyamali in courts following which the Minister’s took offence to its reportage by a daily English newspaper. The newspaper, had reported a comment made by Gunaratne in courts, where he comments in jest on how the Minister’s team of lawyers are present in court on behalf of Priyamali.

Following this the Minister’s raised a question of privilege in parliament claimed he does not have a chambers anymore and wanted action taken against the editor and reporter of the newspaper.

The YJA sending a letter in this regard to the Minister said the news report has not reported any fabricated news but what was only mentioned in courts. The YJA said if at all the Minister should take offence at Gunaratne for making the comment and not the media for reporting it. The organization also asked the Minister to clarify the status of Nagashena and if in fact he is working as a coordinating secretary for the Minister at the Justice Minister.

According to Nagashena’s own facebook account, he had also worked at the Ministry of Buddhasasana at the time Rajapakshe was the subject minister.