PM-finance minister dispute worsens to assaults!
Nov 12, 2015
The internal conflict in the government due to a dispute between prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and finance minister Ravi Karunanayake has now worsened to such an extent that even assaults are taking place over the issue.
The PM replaced the CEO of Sri Lanka Insurance, a relative of the finance minister, and the new appointee had gone yesterday (11) to assume duties, but only to be assaulted and driven away by the minister’s supporters.
Angered by the appointment, on the PM’s recommendation, by state enterprise minister Kabir Hashim, of a person by the name Keith Bernard, who had done nothing for the UNP’s victory, as the CEO, the finance minister’s supporters had assaulted him and drove him away. Karunanayake too, is angry that Sri Lanka Insurance chairman Hemaka Amarasuriya has not been asked to vacate his position, as he is an appointee of the PM.
Meeting the PM yesterday, the director board of Hotel Hilton stressed to him that the hotel belongs to the Treasury, which comes under the finance ministry, and that the state enterprise ministry has no powers to get involved. Losing his temper, he has ordered the chairperson and other directors to resign immediately without citing legalities and technicalities.
