12 June, 2007 - Published 17:51 GMT

PM 'protecting' Defence Secretary

The main opposition in Sri Lanka has accused the powerful Defence Secretary of ordering the eviction of Tamils from the lodges in Colombo.

The United National Party (UNP) says the government is now trying to protect Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, the younger brother of the President.

UNP lawmaker Dayasiri Jayasekara told journalists in Colombo that Defence Secretary Rajapaksa has given instructions to evict the Tamils in a meeting held on 31 May.

'Responsible' for eviction

Expressing 'regret' over the move, PM Ratnasiri Wickramanayake said that government accepted the responsibility for forcefully transporting nearly 400 Tamils to the north and east.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has ordered a full investigation.

If found guilty, the government will not hesitate to take action against any official who is responsible, PM Wickramanayake said.

The PM was however trying to safeguard President's brother who actually gave the order, according to the UNP.

'Only 300' from 17,000

"PM is trying to save Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa," parliamentarian Dayasiri Jayasekara said.

In an interview with the BBC's Roland Buerk, the Defence Secretary has hinted that he knew of the eviction.

Accusing the West and UN of "bullying" and "double standards", Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said the government wanted to send 'only 300' from over 17,000 Tamils to their homes.

Both UN and Britain have rejected the accusations.