President to decide on fate of Governors

Pics by Gayan Amarasekara

By Sandun A Jayasekera

President Maithripala Sirisena will soon take a decision on Governors Azath Salley and A.L.M. Hizbullah, former Minister Duminda Dissanayaka said.   

Mr. Dissanayaka added that a group of SLFP members expects to meet President Sirisena to discuss the allegations levelled against Eastern Province Governor Hizbullah and Western Province Governor Salley and steps to be taken on both.   

In response to a journalist at yesterday’s news briefing at the SLFP head office auditorium, Mr. Dissanayaka hinted that it was unlikely that the no confidence motion handed over to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya with only 66 signatures by a group of SLPP members yesterday against Trade and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen will see the light of day.   
“Leave alone it’s passage in Parliament, but the no faith motion is unlikely to get the support of all JO members,” Mr. Dissanayaka pointed out.   

The SLFP would take a decision on the no faith motion against Minister Bathiudeen after a discussion with the party’s Parliamentary group.   

UPFA General Secretary Mahinda Amaraweera said the violence perpetrated against Muslims in Chilaw. Kuliyapitiya, Minuwangoda and Gampaha last week has erased the good name earned by Sri Lanka after the Easter Sunday massacre.   

The armed forces, the STF, the Police, clergy and the media played a big role to maintain peace and interfaith harmony after the Easter Sunday carnage but the opposite of it took place and sporadic attacks on Muslim trade establishments last week gave a bad name to Sri Lanka’s image, Mr. Amaraweera said.   

“The ultimate result of these attacks is that the people – the tax payer - will have to pay for the damages caused to Muslims in those areas which will be another burden to the people,” he stressed.   

Former deputy Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna said the country was gradually returning to normalcy and all Sri Lankans must assist the police, armed forces and the STF to maintain law and order.