Maithri says there’s no option but to retire

 Saturday, 29 December 2012 

Secretary, Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena while participating in a book distribution ceremony in Pulathisi Mandapaya in Polonnaruwa, has indirectly said he had no other option but to retire.

Sirisena had made this statement with a sad face since Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne has re-commenced his public work. Sirisena’s dream of becoming the next Prime Minster after the demise of Premier Jayaratne has been shattered since Jayaratne is now even undertaking work assignments out of Colombo. The Prime Minister had even visited Kirivehera in Kataragama on the 25th and the Prime Minister’s media unit had released photographs of him in discussion with the chief incumbent of the temple.

Another reason for Sirisena’s depression is the move by MP Namal Rajapaksa to promote MP Roshan Ranasinghe in the Polonnaruwa District. Namal it is learnt is carrying out this operation with the President’s knowledge. Namal had appointed Roshan as a Vice President of the SLFP Youth Wing.

The President had removed Deputy Minister Duminda Dissanayake who was holding the post saying he was over age for the position and appointed Roshan to the place on Namal’s recommendation.

Roshan is a businessman who imports vehicles and vehicle spare parts from Japan and is now a close friend of Namal and Yoshitha. He imports vehicles required by Namal and Yoshitha from any part of the world.

It is Roshan who has set up a caravan park in the Yala National Park. He had also imported several limousines for Namal and Yoshitha.

Sources close to Sirisena said the Minister was helpless given the current situation where the government has set up a second line of leadership. The Minister has therefore decided to temporarily take a step back.