UPFA says no move to remove Prasanna

Wednesday, 25 February 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) yesterday denied all claims regarding Western Provincial Council (WPC) Chief Minister Prasanna Ranatunga of being removed from his portfolio as the Chief Minster due to Ranatunga attending a pro-Mahinda Rajapaksa rally held in Nugegoda last week.

UPFA MP and Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) National Organiser Susil Premajayantha speaking to the Daily FT said that these claims were all lies as the party had not taken such a decision to strip Prasanna Ranatunga from the WPC Chief Ministerial post. “If such a political move was underway then as the Secretary of the UPFA I should hear about it or be informed of such a move. But nobody has informed me so far,” Premajayantha said. Earlier this week there was speculation about removing Ranatunga from his portfolio as the WPC Chief Minister and WPC Health Minister Ranjith Somawansa was tipped as the next Chief Minister, with a powerful Government Minister seen as the mastermind behind this move. When questioned about these reports Ranatunga had told the media that though he was unaware of such an attempt, he was ready to face any eventuality. (JP)