National Catholic Mass Communications Director Fr. Jude Krishantha Fernando has refuted recent claims by Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles involving the Catholic Church of Sri Lanka.

Minister Alles had earlier claimed that the Archbishop of Colombo had requested a favor from Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon after Reverend Father Cyril Gamini Fernando of the Catholic Church was apprehended over an accident.

Responding to the claims, Fr. Jude Krishantha Fernando said the mentioned incident is completely false and the Archbishop did not make any such request.

Addressing the media today (Dec 22), Fr. Jude Krishantha Fernando revealed that the Archbishop had only become aware of the arrest on the following day of the incident, by which time Reverend Father Cyril Gamini Fernando had been released.

Fr. Jude Krishantha Fernando also denied claims by the minister that Reverend Father Cyril Gamini Fernando had thanked Acting IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon following his release.

Urging Minister Tiran Alles to refrain from making such false claims, Fr. Jude Krishantha Fernando further requested the minister to prove his statement.