Remove Wijeyadasa: PM tells President

22 August 2017 08:20 am - 61 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday communicated to President Maithripala Sirisena his party’s decision to expel Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe from his post, it is learnt.

Mr. Rajapakshe drew criticism from his party over the allegation that he was deliberately delaying the institution of legal action against those accused of corruption and frauds during the previous regime.

However, the Minister denied it saying he could not interfere with the independent functions of judiciary.

The United National Party (UNP)’s Working Committee took him to task on August 17 in this regard. He was given time till yesterday to explain his position to the party. At the party’s parliamentary group meeting, it is learnt that State Minister Sujeewa Senasinghe inquired whether Mr. Rajapakshe had responded to the allegations.

It transpired at the meeting that he had not done so. Accordingly, the UNP decided that Mr. Rajapakshe should step down or be removed from office.

Afterwards, the Prime Minister called on the President to notify the party’s decision. Constitutionally, the President has the authority to remove a Cabinet Minister. (Kelum Bandara)

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Comments - 61

ANTON Tuesday, 22 August 2017 08:45 AM

" WHY ??? WHAT HAS HE DONE ??? I DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING"

Perumal Tuesday, 22 August 2017 01:22 PM

I will not allow Gota to be arrested as long as I am the Minister of Justice. Therefore I will not resign.

Snowy Tuesday, 22 August 2017 09:06 AM

I am waiting for statements from the bald headed tribesmen.

lkcricket Tuesday, 22 August 2017 11:47 AM

Please be aware that you great great grand parents are tribes. I am proud to be part of my tribe and that is Sinhalesse.

ieme Wednesday, 23 August 2017 04:19 AM

sinhalesse?

Jaliya Thursday, 24 August 2017 03:50 PM

My tribe is NOT Sinhalesse and I am not proud of it.

Alex Tuesday, 22 August 2017 09:13 AM

Why waiting? Do it now. His removal was too late even 6 months ago.

gamini Tuesday, 22 August 2017 09:15 AM

most welcome decision for the betterment of the country

DenguReduced Tuesday, 22 August 2017 09:19 AM

When Dengu patients increase , Govt. opened new wards not new hospitals. Is it wrong? Similarly, when there are more court cases pending on a long queue, add new locations (or branches) to existing types such as Magistrate or District or High courts. We can test President and Prime Minister here, whether they are genuine or not . People are not foolish. If they protect corrupted people, New independent societies should be formed.

hari Mani Tuesday, 22 August 2017 09:26 AM

Finally the government is waking up to its promises. Better late than never! Srilanka as a country has a bright future with ethnic harmony prevailing under the current regime. Well done; finally the country is moving in the right direction...

Dasun Perera Tuesday, 22 August 2017 11:56 AM

Harmony? What harmony? Ministers are at each others throat. Protests everywhere. Do you see any harmony when watching daily news on TV?

Nimal Tuesday, 22 August 2017 09:29 AM

WR needs to be removed from his post immediately. He is undermining the Govt. and an obstacle to legal proceedings against corrupt individuals of the former regime.

Saman Weerasinghe Tuesday, 22 August 2017 10:37 AM

Well said Nimal, hereafter the country will lead towards Justice.

Aladeniya Kirimathaya Tuesday, 22 August 2017 10:38 AM

WR should be removed immediately without delay. good comment Nimal.

Sincere Tuesday, 22 August 2017 09:31 AM

My only question is: Now what will happen to the massive hording in the heart of the Maharagama town praising the Leader, ?

Wise Donkey Tuesday, 22 August 2017 09:34 AM

What's the delay, sack him now! He is a 'traitor' to the government and a real cut-throat. He is out to topple the government, for certain. Act now and waste no time!

Desmond Jeromme Tuesday, 22 August 2017 10:35 AM

Quick action please Hon. President.

Missaka Tuesday, 22 August 2017 09:38 AM

Do not try to manipulate the Legal system as per JR theories. Do not interfere with the work of the Judiciary. Facilitate resources to make the Legal Processes efficient and effective in the country. Interference will hamper the faith of the people on Judiciary that leads to grave consequences, which derails the Good Governance.

DING DONG. Tuesday, 22 August 2017 09:42 AM

DEFINITELY THE REMOVAL OF THE DUAL ROLES PLAYER WILL USHER THE GOOD GOVERNANCE A BRIGHT FUTURE EVEN IF IT IS TOO LATE. . via DM Android App

DING DONG. Tuesday, 22 August 2017 09:50 AM

THIS WISE DECISION SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN MUCH EARLIER. .. via DM Android App

JOLLY BIRD. Tuesday, 22 August 2017 09:55 AM

OF COURSE IT IS A FATAL BLOW FOR THE JOKERS FRONT .AND A TREMENDEOUS VICTORY FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE. via DM Android App

Blair Tuesday, 22 August 2017 09:57 AM

This is a man who was even implicated for AVANTE GARDE, where he denied but proved beyond doubt,and a man chased out by MR during previous regime.

sach Tuesday, 22 August 2017 11:43 AM

implicated for what?

delay Tuesday, 22 August 2017 10:01 AM

why delayed?

Sharon Tuesday, 22 August 2017 10:09 AM

All this is fine. But we will not forget the Bond scam in the shades of Wijedasa... Waiting for the decision of PCoI

sobers Tuesday, 22 August 2017 10:11 AM

He can't blame saying about "interfering", when the world is so much advancing these delays can't be tolerated. If we need to follow his statement, then everyone will start robbing and the cases will go for "Donkeys years", and the accused will be dead and gone, leaving the kith and kin to enjoy the fraudulently earned wealth. He is not suitable for the said ministry. The government will become more unpopular if he is retained in the position.

sangapala Tuesday, 22 August 2017 10:18 AM

This govt has done a lot of good things - like giving people the freedom of speech. I know most will not agree with me, but having that is much much better than living in fear of one's life for expressing one's opinion freely.So I guess if the prez. and PM can work together to bring all the corrupt guys to justice before their term ends, it will be a win-win for all

sach Tuesday, 22 August 2017 11:58 AM

Was not PM threatening media an year ago for doing their job right?

Dr. A.C.B. Jayaweer Tuesday, 22 August 2017 10:18 AM

Thank you Sir, WR should be removed with immediate effect without any further delay. Mr. President quick action please.

L. P. Mendis Tuesday, 22 August 2017 10:19 AM

Million thanks for the right decision of our Hon. Prime Minister to sack WR.

S.T.M. Jabeer (Attorney-at-Law) Tuesday, 22 August 2017 10:24 AM

PM's decision is the right decision and now Mr. President should act fast to sack him.

Lal Weerathunga Tuesday, 22 August 2017 10:58 AM

Today itself President should sack him and establish justice in SriLanka.

Manuel Benjamin Tuesday, 22 August 2017 10:29 AM

Shame of Wijedasa, he should have resigned and gone to the back row and sat with Ravi rather than getting disgraced by everyone.

Gajang Tuesday, 22 August 2017 10:31 AM

Dear President and PM , there is more important things in the country than Wijeyadasa,Make immediate changers to the cricket board and the cricket selection committee

BV Tuesday, 22 August 2017 10:43 AM

Is cricket more important to the country than justice ? AMAZING !

BUSHEL Tuesday, 22 August 2017 01:21 PM

BV, if SAITM is importan why not crcket

J. Palitha Tuesday, 22 August 2017 10:33 AM

Will WW and Goma pilla will fast to death for this issue?

C. K. Kaviratne Tuesday, 22 August 2017 10:45 AM

Now WR will join with Mahinda and his rogues.

ananda Tuesday, 22 August 2017 10:49 AM

Good decision. Government should take bold decisions and move foreword and be strong. France. via DM Android App

Aladeniya Kirimathaya Tuesday, 22 August 2017 10:54 AM

Will he join with MR who funded him?

R. T. Ratnapala (Lawyer) Tuesday, 22 August 2017 11:00 AM

Green signal from big boss.... well done Sir. Now the honest President should put WR out.

willowsd Tuesday, 22 August 2017 11:18 AM

I sincerely hope that Mr WR would read these comments and do a self assessment for himself?

John Tuesday, 22 August 2017 12:27 PM

....and just GO!

DoubleYouAre Tuesday, 22 August 2017 01:23 PM

only comments of one side are published here

Smart Aleck Tuesday, 22 August 2017 11:30 AM

You don't need the Justice Minister to delay those cases. The lawyers ("Arabs") can do it by asking for dates "on personal grounds" and dragging the cases on for years.

ceylon Tuesday, 22 August 2017 11:31 AM

get rid of this corrupt man.nearly three years cover up the crimes againt the people and country. via DM Android App

hiddenagenda Tuesday, 22 August 2017 11:43 AM

MR told he is the chairman of SLFP. President has no permission to sack WR. Joke? Sometimes Jokes are true. Hidden agendas?

FireCracker Tuesday, 22 August 2017 11:44 AM

If WR sack, Ready with fire crackers.

sach Tuesday, 22 August 2017 11:59 AM

Seriously what wrong has wijeydasa done? Doing his job?

suresh Tuesday, 22 August 2017 01:02 PM

Sach-protecting the corrupt under the guise of independence of judiciary is that called doing the job?

Deal dasa Tuesday, 22 August 2017 06:13 PM

He repeatedly said , he doesn't have any involvement with Nissanka in Aventgard. But later it was proven in the US trip. He is lawyer , who protect his client for money.

facebook Tuesday, 22 August 2017 12:03 PM

Immediately, start war against corruption in facebook. Why delay in sacking WR by President? Last chance to get this country to correct path.

willowsd Tuesday, 22 August 2017 01:13 PM

101% agreed

corruption Tuesday, 22 August 2017 12:08 PM

99% comments are against corruption without party difference.

nimal Tuesday, 22 August 2017 01:12 PM

Why WR is supported by corrupted opposition? This indicate he is with them. Sack him .

daham Tuesday, 22 August 2017 02:44 PM

Yesterday, the President of The lawyers association said Special Courts can't be established as the constitution has no provisions for such a thing. Marapana too has advised So. what action against him unp?

Dhammika Tuesday, 22 August 2017 03:21 PM

DING DONG - you are coorect the BELL rang toooooo late.

s.shiha Tuesday, 22 August 2017 04:00 PM

Too Late decision...

upali Tuesday, 22 August 2017 05:54 PM

Dr.Wijedasa has done his job well and he has a backbone to stay when the dogs are barking. FNGOs are working.

ranjit Tuesday, 22 August 2017 11:24 PM

There will be a protest march tomorrow, which seems to be a common theme of JO

Ranjit Wednesday, 23 August 2017 06:15 AM

Talk, Talk, Talk. No Action. Please let us know in which way the country is heading?

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Remove Wijeyadasa: PM tells President

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