• They say he should take full responsibility over economic crisis 
• Gammanpila said he would reveal as to who put the country into this crisis

By Ajith Siriwardana   

Sacked Ministers Udaya Gammanpila and Wimal Weerawansa yesterday strongly criticised Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa calling him an ‘Ugly American’ and said he should take full responsibility for the present economic debacle in the country.   

Speaking at a press conference convened by the eleven constituent parties of the government, sacked minister Udaya Gammanpila said an American citizen was deciding the fate of the country and said he would reveal as to who put the country into this crisis.   

“Someone who was ignorant of economy is handling the economy of the country today. I will reveal all facts with written proof as to who put the country into this turmoil.This is an intentional conspiracy. The country was taken to a similar situation where Indonesia had to face in 1997,” he said.   
Gammanpila said they would do their utmost to protect the country from this dark path even if they remained in the government or not.   

Sacked Minister Wimal Weerawansa said there was a rift within the government constituent parties even before this government came to power and added that Basil Rajapaksa insisted on contesting for the presidency and ultimately he had to support Gotabaya Rajapaksa due to their objections.   

He said Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna was just a private property of Basil Rajapaksa and that he had appointed his confidantes for the positions in the party.   

Weerawansa said the clash within the government was a clash of policies and added that it got worse when the 20th Amendment was brought in and during the issue of Eastern Terminal of the Colombo Port and Yugadhanavi agreement.   
He said they have no regrets over their removal and that they had only voiced their opinion against the government path violating its mandate.   

“If this economic crisis is resolved after our removal, we are happy,” he said and added that he would never function as a minister under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.   

Weerawansa said the eleven constituent parties of the government including Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), National Freedom Front (NFF) and Pivithuru Hela Urumaya would decide whether to remain in the government or function independently in Parliament following a party leaders’ meeting. 

*** Weerawansa said the eleven constituent parties of the government  would decide whether to remain in the  government or function independently in Parliament following a party  leaders’ meeting