In a letter to the minister, the union demands he withdraws the remarks.

The letter quotes Karunanayake as having said that the TUs admitted they were in the wrong when the former director of customs noted at the meeting that they wanted a policy with political implications that adversely affected the country.

Signed by the union’s secretary J.A. Gunatilake, the letter says the TUs wanted a meeting with the president as well as the finance minister, customs director, customs administration and the investigators to discuss the releasing of Prado vehicles.

Although a seat was allotted for the finance minister, he was absent at the meeting, says the letter.

Copies of the letter have been sent to the president and the director general of customs.

Gunatilake further says in the letter that the entire meeting has been videoed, and challenges the minister to prove his statement and if he does so, says he will dissolve the union and resign from his position as a superintendent of customs.

Given below is the letter in Sinhala: