PM speaks on behalf of Ravi

Jan 24, 2017

Government sources say prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has told several ministers that he would never agree, if the president requested him to remove Ravi Karunanayake from the position of finance minister. He has recalled how J.R. Jayewardene did not take accusations seriously within his government against ministers Lalith Athulathmudali and Gamini Dissanayake. 

Certain persons in the government are jealous of Karunanayake’s abilities and talents, the PM has said, stressing that it was only the finance minister who had defended him whenever Sajith Premadasa challenged him. Karunanayake was way ahead of Premadasa when considering their talents and popularity, he has added.

 

President too, washes his hands off

 

Several UNP politicians, at a meeting with the president following the cabinet meeting on January 17, suggested that a powerful minister from their party should be removed, as he is accused of serious financial fraud and misuse of state property, in order to save the government of accusations.

 

Responding, the president said that as per his agreement with the UNP and in accordance with the 19th amendment to the constitution, it was up to the PM to decide on the subjects of the ministers.

 

Ravi has to answer for Malik, Paskaralingam, Ratwatte

 

Commenting on this, a senior minister said that Karunanayake might have been accused over economic affairs of the government, but that the related orders had been issued by two powerful officials close to the PM.

 

Also, a businessman-minister close to the PM is supplying anti-Karunanayake material to the media, he said, noting that it was the finance minister who had been the main contributor of funding for UNP campaigning at every election.