ASP vying a governor post to represent Catholics

Br Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya

Sri Lanka Labour Party Leader A.S.P. Liyanage, whom once said that the President had promised him a governor post, said that he is ready to govern a province specially representing the Catholic community.

He said that the Catholic Council had reportedly focussed its attention on seeking one of the nine Governor’s posts for a Catholic because currently there are no single Catholic among the nine governors.

“I am a Catholic and my party is with President Maithripala Sirisena. I will be a strong supporter of the government. Due to recent terror attacks in the country and the current political situation, the Catholic community appear to have distance from the President and the government. I believe that the President will appoint me as a governor specially considering the reconciliation and equality,” he said.

Mr Liyanage was appointed as the Ambassador to Qatar in March 2017 and resigned earlier this year amidst controversy. He was expecting to be appointed as a governor during the recent reshuffle of governors. But he was not appointed as a governor.

He said he had resigned from the Ambassador post after completing two years which he said that had fulfilled the responsibility which the President had given.

Liyanage once said that as the Leader of the Sri Lanka Labour Party, which is an associated party of the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA), he is planing to expand his party with the intention of fielding candidates for upcoming Provincial Council.

It was reported that following the resigning of Azath Salley and M. L. A. M. Hizbullah as the governors of Western and Eastern Provinces respectively, the President had a discussion with senior members of the government to fill those positions and some members reported to have nominate ASP Liyanage’s name for a governor position.