President dumps dissenting duo

• Vocal Ministers Wimal Weerawansa and Udaya Gammanpila sacked after they openly criticise handling of economy
• Gamini Lokuge, SB Dissanayake replace sacked ministers; Pavithra Wanniarachchi gets new Power portfolio
• Weerawansa thanks President for removing him, Gammanpila says will lead national struggle
• 11 constituent parties in Govt. set to hold press conference today

By Chandani Kirinde

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa last evening removed Wimal Weerawansa and Udaya Gammanpila from their ministerial portfolios and made several changes to his Cabinet amidst growing criticism of the Government’s 

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa

Wimal Weerawansa

Udaya Gammanpila

handling of the economy.

Weerawansa and Gammanpila lost their portfolios after having on Wednesday openly criticised the way the Government is being run with Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa coming in for harsh condemnation for his inability to get the economy on track.

The two MPs who are part of the 11 constituent parties in the SLPP led Government, which on Monday unveiled a National Policy of their own, were informed of their removal by a letter signed by the President last afternoon.

The President then moved swiftly to replace them with Gamini Lokuge appointed as the new Energy Minister replacing Gammanpila and S.B. Dissanayaka as Industries Minister in place of Weerawansa. Pavithra Wanniarachchi was brought in as the Minister of Power, the former portfolio of Lokuge.

Soon after his sacking, Weerawansa who heads the National Freedom Front (NFF) took to twitter and posted the letter sent to him by the President informing him that he had been removed from office and added  “Thank You” as a comment.

Gammanpila also took to social media to say that they have always emerged from among the people and would give leadership to the national struggle. “We will not curse the darkness but will light a candle,” Gammanpila said.

The removal of the two high profile ministers comes amidst growing disquiet among the constituent parties of the SLPP including the SLFP led by former President Maithripala Sirisena who has repeatedly hinted that withdrawing support for the Government is an option open to them.

The two sacked ministers as well as other representatives of the 11 constituent parties are expected to address a press conference today to explain their future plans.

The criticism by the sacked duo on Wednesday was not the first time as they previously expressed reservations over several Cabinet decisions ignoring collective responsibility and risking possible expulsion.