President announces that Wijedasa would be removed from ministerial post!

President announces that Wijedasa would be removed from ministerial post!

3.00 pm Update

Mr. Wijayadasa Rajapaksa has addressed the media and told that he accepts the letter directed to him about the President expelling him and that he would be relinquishing his duties from both positions relevant to him. As such, he has stated that he is in the process of handing over his vehicles. On a question posed to him whether he would in future be leaving the UNP, he has mentioned that he would not do so.

The Minister who said that he refuses to accept the statement he

expressed to Lankadeepa Newspaper as true about Hambantota Port being given on lease, thus by violating the collective responsibility; though was given time to correct that statement upto 6 in the evening of 21st, he had failed to do so. Accordinly, Secretary Kabir Hasheem directed the letter concerning violation of confidence reposed on Minister Wijedasa. The President had given ear to the request of the UNP revoking a Ministership belonging to the UNP and thus removed him.

The letter was received -- vehicles will be handed over; Wijedasa's office has informed

1.30 pm Update

After the President had given his sanction to the letter forwarded to him requesting the President Mr. Maithripala Sirisena to expel Mr. Wijedasa Rajapaksa from all positions as Minister by the UNP, the said letter was received by Mr. Wijedasa Rajapaksa, an officer of Mr. Rajapaksa has confirmed. The officer has further mentioned that it was mentioned in the letter that he has been removed from both Justice and Buddha Sasana Affairs and that the Minister has taken action to hand over all official vehicles so far utilised by him.

The President announces that Minister Wijedasa would be removed from the ministership --

12.30 pm Update

The President has granted approval to the letter forwarded to him to remove Minister Mr. Wijedasa Rajapaksa from all cabinet Minister portfolios. Accordinly, Minister Wijedasa Rajapaksa had been informed about it, it was reported.

In the same way, the General Secretary of United National Party Mr. Kabir Hasheem released an announcement yesterday (22) to the effect that Minister Wijedasa has by violating the collective responsibility last weekend by criticising Ministers of the party and policies of the government while in the capacity of a cabinet Minister. Therefore, the United National Party leadership made a written request from the President to expel Minister Wijedasa Rajapaksa from all cabinet positions he holds.