Colombo, Aug 23 (newsin.asia) – Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, on Wednesday sacked his Justice Minister, Wijeyadasa Rajapakse, following a request made by the ruling United National Party which is headed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.
Subsequently Rajapakse has also been sacked as the Budha Sasana Minister.
Cabinet Spokesperson, Gayantha Karunathilleke said Rajapakse has been informed of the President’s decision.
UNP Leader, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe, had officially informed the President on Tuesday to remove Rajapakse from his ministerial posts over comments he had made against a cabinet decision regarding the Hambantota Port.
UNP General Secretary Kabir Hashim said in a statement that Rajapakse had been given time till Monday by the UNP leadership to rectify the statement but he had failed to do so.
Rajapakshe had allegedly said the sale of the Hambantota Harbour, which is a public asset, to a Chinese company was wrong and assured the public that he would not rest until he regains its ownership on behalf of the people.
The deal with China over the Port was decisive within the sphere of global politics as it has prompted India to demand possession of the oil tanks in Trincomalee, the minister had said.
The UNP General Secretary said that Rajapakshe had continued to make statements critical of the UNP and government decisions and therefore should be removed from his ministerial posts.