Participating in the committee stage debate on budget 2015 under the expenditure heads of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, MP Gunawardena said that he did not come to politics to purchase helicopters. “I challenge the opposition to come and check my assets any time they want. I am open and my dealings are transparent. I have nothing to hide,” he said.

“My assets are not newly earned. We always used to have money. We have not come from the gutter to do politics and earn from it. We have strong base. If someone becomes rich after coming to politics then that is wrong. I invite and challenge UNP MPs to come and check our assets anytime they want. I have helicopters too for my personal use.

Purchasing a helicopter is no big deal. If you have no money you could go to a bank and apply for a loan to purchase a helicopter,” MP Gunawardena said. (Special Reporter/HC)