Removal of Wimal & Udaya was a policy decision: Dilum

COLOMBO (News 1st); The removal of two ministers in the Government was a policy-based decision, says State Minister Dilum Amunugama. 

Speaking during a press conference held on Friday (04), the State Minister pointed out that even State Minister Susil Premajayantha was removed from his position based upon President's policy that no one in the cabinet should criticize the Government. 

If that is the case, the State Minister said, the cause would have been the fact that the two Ministers held a massive convention which levelled heavy criticism against the country. 

Adding that there are instances in which even Ministers can level criticism, such as parliamentary group meetings and cabinet meetings, State Minister Amunugama stated that if they wanted to level criticism against the Government, they should have resigned and conducted such as a rally, which would have been better.

"If they feel they can attack the Government like this simply because they brought it into power, it cannot be permitted. Everyone accepts that these are hard times for the Government as well. When the ship is sinking they shouldn't jump off it. They must support the crew on board the ship to bring it back under control. The crew shouldn't jump off the ship and allow it to sink," he added.

Meanwhile, State Minister of Fisheries, Kanchana Wijesekara stated that he does not feel that the President made the decision alone, as he took the decision after holding a meeting with Ministers and the Prime Minister.

" If anyone doesn't fulfil the responsibilities entrusted with them, that opportunity should be given to someone who can do a better job. Minister Vasudeva didn't target the government or any person and level criticism. I don't feel like Minister Vasudeva participated in that discussion out of his own will anyway," he stated.

When inquired whether the Prime Minister consented to the decision, State Minister Kanchana Wijesekara said that although the President made the decision, the Prime Minister was present at the discussion.

Additionally, the State Minister said that as it was evident that the Energy Ministry was facing a crisis, queues for fuel and gas would have been managed in a better manner and the present power crisis could have been avoided. 

"The ministers should have ensured continuous supply of fuel, instead of simply saying that the fuel can only last for 2 or 7 days," he added.