The thero and MP Wimal Weerawansa are co-leaders of the PNM

United National Party (UNP) parliamentarian Sarath Ranawaka accused the government of illegally offering a supreme land near the capital to Elle Gunawansa thero.

A piece of land worth millions of rupees was offered to the thero free of charge, the Kalutara district parliamentarian told journalists in Colombo.

The UNP said there has been high level corruption in the Land Reforms Commission (LRC), which comes under the purview of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

'Irregularities' in LRC

Gunawansa thero is the leader of the Patriotic National Movement (PNM), a strong supporter of Rajapaksa administration's policy on national question.

Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna's (JVP) parliamentary group leader, Wimal Weerawansa, is a co-leader of the Sinhala nationalist PNM.

	Gunawansa thero is an influential political activist in Sri Lanka

Parliamentarian Ranawaka said Gunawansa thero was offered another land by the government much cheaper than the current market price.

Though it is necessary that the minister should sign the titles when a government land was offered, President Rajapaksa has not signed the documents, he added.

The UNP says the party is planning to lodge a formal complaint with the Bribery Commission on alleged irregularities in the LRC.

The irregularities were investigated by the COPE parliamentary committee, the MP added.