During oral question time in parliament today (Oct 20), United National Party (UNP) Parliamentarian Dayasiri Jayasekera asked the government to divulge particulars regarding Kumaran Pathmanaban alias ‘KP’.

Mr. Jayasekera also wanted to know what has happened to the gold and jewellery said to have been recovered by the Army during the final battles with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

In reply, Chief Government Whip, Minister Dinesh Gunawardene said that KP was taken into custody by the Sri Lanka Army and that he was still in Military custody.

Dayasiri Jayasekera asked whether KP was allowed to visit any areas outside Colombo, to which Mr. Gunawardena replied that he was taken to the Wanni only once to confirm some information that KP had revealed. Asked about the details, Minister Gunawardena said he could not reveal them due to security reasons.

Mr. Jayasekera then wanted to know how much of gold and jewellery were recovered by the Security Forces during the final battles against the LTTE.

Minister Gunawardena answered that 110 kilograms of gold and jewellery had been recovered, which have been valued at Rs. 490 million.

UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekera wanted to know where the stock of gold and jewellery were. In reply, Minister Dinesh Gunawardene said the valuables cannot just be handed over to any person or institution. Hence, the necessary legal procedures were being adhered to and the gold and jeweliery were in the process of being handed over to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.