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UPDATE - Lohan Ratwatta resigns from his portfolio

15 September 2021 01:38 pm - 42     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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  • PM informs President this is not a political matter but a matter of discipline
  • A female figure was present with Ratwatte in Prison
  • Although PM wanted resignation from all portfolios, Lohan still continues in the Gem and Jewellery authority ● He had allegedly threatened them on the spot by pointing his personal firearm
  • He had first broken into the Welikada Prison with his friends with an excuse of visiting the gallows

State Minister of Prisons Management and Prisoners' rehabilitation, Lohan Ratwatte who has been caught in a controversy over allegedly threatening Tamil prisoners at the Anuradhapura Prison on Sunday, yesterday tendered his resignation to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa following instructions by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Following rising calls by the public for an immediate investigation and action into the incident, Prime Minister Rajapaksa who is in Italy telephoned Ratwatte late on Tuesday night and instructed him to resign from all his portfolios immediately before the SLPP party sacks him from his position.

Ratwatte had immediately responded in a positive manner and had informed the Prime Minister that he would send in a resignation letter to the President.

Prime Minister Rajapaksa had then telephoned President Gotabaya and told him to accept Ratwatte's resignation stating this was not a political issue but a matter of discipline.

The Daily Mirror learns that Prime Minister Rajapaksa, as the leader of the SLPP will upon his return to the country, appoint a committee to investigate the allegations against Ratwatte, and if found guilty, the party will take disciplinary action against him. However although Prime Minister Rajapaksa had informed Ratwatta to resign from both his portfolios, that of Prison's Management and as the State Minister of Gem's and Jewelry Related Industries, government sources yesterday confirmed that Ratwatte would continue as the State Minister of Gem and Jewelry Related Industries and had tendered his resignation only as the State Minister of Prison's Management and Prisoner's Rehabilitation. Even in his resignation letter, Ratwatte had mentioned his resignation only from this ministry and added that he acknowledged his responsibility for the incidents that took place at the Welikada and Anuradhapura Prison premises.

President Gotabaya accepted his resignation immediately.

Ratwatta is alleged to have first broken into the Welikada Prison last week with his friends who were all intoxicated, with an excuse of visiting the gallows. It is alleged that most of his friends were dressed in shorts and they had threatened the prison guards to let them through. The Daily Mirror learns that a female figure was also present with Ratwatte at the time. Authorities are yet to disclose her identity but the Committee for Protecting Rights of Prisoners yesterday alleged that it was a model/beauty queen who was present with Ratwatta at the time. They said the CCTV footage would reveal more details in the future. Then on Sunday, Ratwatte is alleged to have gone to the Anuradhapura Prison and had made two Tamil Prisoners kneel down before him. The Tamil National People's Front MP Gajen Ponnambalam alleged that Ratwatte had pointed his personal firearm at them and had threatened to kill them on the spot.

Since then there have been rising calls from the opposition political parties and civil society to arrest Ratwatta and launch an immediate probe. However, surprisingly prison officials including the prison spokesperson have maintained a deafening silence over the incident while Ratwatte has gone silent and is yet to answer the queries from the media.(JAMILA HUSAIN)

 


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  Comments - 42

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  • lalith de silva Wednesday, 15 September 2021 01:44 PM

    Thank you PM, take action and show that you will not tolerate that kind of madness

    Siribiris Wednesday, 15 September 2021 01:47 PM

    Step down from prisson management and re appoint as minister of Police administration ?

    roobarbie Wednesday, 15 September 2021 01:49 PM

    Is nt this the guy accused of murder some years ago during a political election camapign in Kandy area?

    Kamal De silva Wednesday, 15 September 2021 01:51 PM

    I believe this is the first time that something like this is happening. Hats off to PM and President. Please take our country in the right direction.

    ranjit Wednesday, 15 September 2021 11:22 PM

    he will get a better post soon

    Mizaru Wednesday, 15 September 2021 01:53 PM

    Ha Ha Ha. I told this hours ahead. Not step down. This fellow is mad and dangerous. Put him behind bars.

    Mizaru Wednesday, 15 September 2021 01:55 PM

    I have heard of some people ( of course pseudo patriots) as to what the UN can do. This is one.

    Mark Anandappa Wednesday, 15 September 2021 01:57 PM

    The Investigation will be forgotten

    Mizaru Wednesday, 15 September 2021 02:01 PM

    Good riddance of bad rubbish. Put him behind bars and he is a danger to the civil public.

    AIA Wednesday, 15 September 2021 02:01 PM

    But I thought this is a very mild incident compared to government’s great acts such as granting presidential pardon to a convicted murderer in prison and appointing him as the chairman of a state body and also allowing another murder convict last year to take oath as an MP. So why Lohan ??

    Sriyanth Mendis Wednesday, 15 September 2021 02:04 PM

    This week in Kopi Kade...

    Mizaru Wednesday, 15 September 2021 02:05 PM

    A disgrace to his alma mater.

    Mizaru Wednesday, 15 September 2021 02:07 PM

    This government is now crumbling. Now all we need is to have a strong opposition leader to steer the ship. We need a graduate preferably engineering for a Sri Lanka University. I am from Moratuwa University and a smart ass.

    Bandara Wednesday, 15 September 2021 02:09 PM

    All drama for UN sessions

    vince Wednesday, 15 September 2021 02:10 PM

    Jumping before being pushed. When is the police going to prosecute this reprobate? No disciplinary from the SLPP as usual. What a stupid party.

    Radalaya Wednesday, 15 September 2021 02:13 PM

    Arrest him. UN Human Rights Commission take note. This how we treat prisoners in Sri Lanka. Shame on Ratwattes.

    Nuwan Wednesday, 15 September 2021 02:15 PM

    Aney sweet fellow. Definitely worth a pardon

    joshua Wednesday, 15 September 2021 02:15 PM

    Resignation is not enough. He should be sent to the Prisons for his nonsense. Why police has not arrested him as yet???? As usual there are 2 laws in this country.

    Chanaka Wednesday, 15 September 2021 02:21 PM

    This could be a another drama!

    Dr Who Wednesday, 15 September 2021 02:22 PM

    Thank you Mr President. Lets move forward to make Sri Lanka a disciplined and a prosperous nation. Without discipline we won't be there.

    Ganesh Wednesday, 15 September 2021 02:22 PM

    As usual, an inquiry will find no fault, and will be reinstated. Oh what a show.

    RanjithT Wednesday, 15 September 2021 02:23 PM

    It only goes to show the level of Ministers in this country.

    Lasla Wednesday, 15 September 2021 02:23 PM

    Legal action must be taken against him n the friends.

    Lion Wednesday, 15 September 2021 02:23 PM

    I won’t be surprised if he is appointed as minister of justice after few months.

    KOLA KOTIYA Wednesday, 15 September 2021 03:29 PM

    ITALY DRAMA 1

    AC Wednesday, 15 September 2021 03:34 PM

    No questions and he has accepted the damage caused and put him to Jail no more inquiry needed and make dramas.

    anaa Wednesday, 15 September 2021 03:37 PM

    Drama

    mnsmart Wednesday, 15 September 2021 03:37 PM

    Mizaru - Mater or Alma mater has nothing to do with this sort of behavior.

    Hay Wednesday, 15 September 2021 03:49 PM

    Arrest him Punishment should be there

    Thimothy joseph Wednesday, 15 September 2021 03:51 PM

    PM, ask the president too to resign and appoint a capable person. Or you take over please.

    ram Wednesday, 15 September 2021 03:57 PM

    may be resigning from current profile is to accept PM or Ministry of Defence profile as the usual current govt. practice

    Colvin Silva Wednesday, 15 September 2021 04:05 PM

    Must be arrested and charged under the Penal Code.

    Gayan Wednesday, 15 September 2021 04:39 PM

    The victmised prisoners should be compensated.

    Joseph Wednesday, 15 September 2021 04:43 PM

    The investigation will reveal that it was the inmates that threaten the Minster

    K. Ranaweera Wednesday, 15 September 2021 04:50 PM

    He is suitable for the IGP post in Sri Lanka.

    Ajith Abeyawardena Wednesday, 15 September 2021 04:51 PM

    Will he be prosecuted..? Waiting to see how law of the country be enforced..

    chandra Wednesday, 15 September 2021 05:13 PM

    Michele Michele Michele Michele

    Jayampathi Wednesday, 15 September 2021 05:15 PM

    He has been asked to step down by the President.

    Lumbini Wednesday, 15 September 2021 05:25 PM

    This guy must go to prison. At least he should get punished this time.

    Nimal Wednesday, 15 September 2021 07:27 PM

    Let there be more UNHCR sessions in Geneva and more visits of the PM to Italy. I don't know why!!

    Nimal Wednesday, 15 September 2021 07:31 PM

    Please let us know how much spent for the chopper. As we have now reduced our three meals to two, we will pay the bill.

    Nomads Thursday, 16 September 2021 12:03 AM

    Another proud act of a governing body.Country is in turmoil and least you need is a psychopath .


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