BREAKING: Foreign Minister resigns ahead of no-confidence motion

Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake resigned today in the face of the second no-confidence motion filed against him in Parliament.

Denying charges alleging that he received money for an apartment from a bond dealer when he held office as the Finance Minister, Karunanayake claimed his innocence. However, he said he was resigning as there were attempts by the Opposition to destabilise the coalition government over the issue.

"There is no base for allegations leveled against me. I am not involved in any of it. However, certain groups and the media have already judged me as guilty."

A second no-confidence motion was filed against him with 32 signatures of Opposition MPs.

“I am sacrificing my position for my party, for those ministers and backbench MPs who love the party, for my supporters. I am sacrificing my post for a new political culture in Sri Lanka. I sacrifice my post for better governance in the country. I am sacrificing my post to protect democracy in the country, for the coalition government formed by the President and the Prime Minister,” Karunanayake said.

Karunanayake’s alleged involvement in the controversial bond issue came into light when he gave evidence at a Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry.