Issuing a statement, the UNP said, ?We also believe that action should be taken to eliminate corruption and malpractice in the admission of students. But the action [should] be taken according to the norms of justice and the specified procedure.

?It is the Education Ministry that should first investigate and report to the Public Services Commission for necessary disciplinary action in cases like this. Investigations done by the mafia unit called the Presidential Investigation Unit are not acceptable,? the UNP charged.

?It is the view of the majority in the country that mafia units are operated for carrying out vindictive acts for political reasons.?

Earlier the JHU also charged that interdicting the principals of several Buddhist schools was part of a conspiracy against the leading Buddhist schools in the country.