Sri Lanka, Feb. 21 -- Chief Government Whip Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said in Parliament yesterday that the recent statement made by Sports and Tourism Minister Harin Fernando during a recent tourism-related event in India is not the collective view of the government.

The Minister said this while replying to a question raised by Member of Parliament Wimal Weerawansa whether the statement made by Sports and Tourism Minister Harin Fernando that Sri Lanka is part of India is the collective opinion of the Cabinet of Ministers.

Addressing a tourism event to promote Sri Lanka for Indian tourists, Minister Harin Fernando is reported to have stated that Sri Lanka was a part of India.

Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara...