Ravi to resign today? Thilak Marapona as Foreign Minister

 Ravi to resign today? Thilak Marapona as Foreign Minister

Foreign Minister Mr. Ravi Karunanayake who was subjected to discredit with allegations relating to the bond scam is expected to resign today, political sources say.

After Aloysius being connected to the issue of bribery and having acquired houses from him and was thus subjected to an outburst across the media, Mr. Karunanayake has not attended

yesterday's cabinet meeting either. Later, Mr. Ravi Karunanayake was summoned to President's Secretariat and the Premier and Minister Rajitha has joined in a discussion with him there. According to allegations aimed at Minister Ravi Karunanayake, it was discussed there that he should vacate his post from his position as Minister and if not it would be a black mark on the incumbent Yahapalana government.

Prior to this, on the occasion when Minister Thilak Marapona had to face dishonour over the Avant Garde issue he had to resign and Ravi likewise should step down, it was suggested. The best solutions that could be taken in respect of this issue was discussed in this instance. As such, if at all Mr. Ravi Karunanayake was exonerated from all allegations at this discussion it was expressed at the confrontation that he would accept a ministerial portfolio and his resignation is most likely to be effected this afternoon (10), it was reported. It was also proposed yesterday that Mr. Thilak Marapona be appointed for the vacancy of Foreign Minister, it was reported.

Minister Ravi Karunanayake was the focus of discussion at yesterday's discussion of the cabinet meeting and Minister Patali has made a speech appreciating procedures of the bond scam commission. The idea brought forward by Minister Harin Fernando was that, just as much as the commission took action to convict those of Yahapalanaya, the point about not convicting those of the last regime should be taken into account and the President said that he would take action in future about it. The Prime Minister Mr. Ranil Wickremasingha informed ministers of Sri Lanka Freedom Party who represent the government yesterday (9) that he would have a discussion with President Mr. Maithripala Sirisena about the topic of expelling Foreign Minister Mr. Ravi Karunanayake from his ministerial portfolio.