Speaking at a press conference held in Colombo today (13), Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle said that the Government is ready to set up a Select Committee of Parliament if the LTTE is willing to come forward and prove that present ruling Government secretly gave 1500 million rupees to them to restrain the Tamil populace of their areas voting against Mahinda Rajapaksa.

 Further he added that the Government can not take responsible action for rumours. "Just basing on the Opposition Leader's accusation and Luxman Senevirathne's request for a Parliament Select Committee, we can not further inquire in to the issue. We want the LTTE to come forward and say so if Mahinda Rajapaksa regime bribed them with 1500 million rupees. Then we will see," Minister Fernandopulle added .

Mr. Fernandopulle added that the Government is ready to face any motion of no confidence which the Luxman Senevirathne, MP of the United National Party said would raise against Minister Keheliya Rambukwella. "If they do so we also have the right to raise a motion of no confidence against Mr Senevirathne for revelation of misleading information discrediting Government officers and military officers," Minister added.

Minister Luxman Yapa Abeywardene, Minister Rajitha Senarathne and Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage also attended the press briefing held at the Government Information Department this morning.

Addressing the media Minister Rajitha Senarathne stressed although many parties accuse on various matters of the administration of the Government the only real problem it faces is the price increment of essential goods – amidst the war threat from the Tiger terrorists.

He further pointed out that the Government will never drop the welfare services it's offering to the public, such as free education, medical health facilities etc. "It is because the President and the Government have a very good understanding about the hardships the public go through. Even if we have to impose an increment of prices of any item it will be done with much care that the affect on the normal people would be minimal," he added.