President Maithripala Sirisena |
Sri Lanka’s minister of justice has been sacked after
criticising the government’s decision to sell a majority stake in a
newly built deep sea port to a state-owned Chinese company.
criticising the government’s decision to sell a majority stake in a
newly built deep sea port to a state-owned Chinese company.
Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe was removed by President Maithripala Sirisena
on Wednesday at the request of his own party – the United National Party led by Prime
Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe.
on Wednesday at the request of his own party – the United National Party led by Prime
Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The minister called the decision to sell 70 per cent of the shares in
the loss-making Hambantota port illegal and said he would campaign to
reverse the deal signed in July.
the loss-making Hambantota port illegal and said he would campaign to
reverse the deal signed in July.
The minister of justice was also accused of suppressing cases against
the former government led by ex-president, Mahinda Rajapaksa, in spite
public campaigns to expedite cases against them.
the former government led by ex-president, Mahinda Rajapaksa, in spite
public campaigns to expedite cases against them.
“I am denying all the allegations against me. I was only showing the
reality that the port deal was illegal and that it needed a two thirds
majority in the parliament.
reality that the port deal was illegal and that it needed a two thirds
majority in the parliament.
“I would remain in parliament as an ordinary member,” the sacked minister said.
Sri Lanka sold the stake in the port to China Merchants Ports Holdings for 1.1 billion dollars. (dpa/NAN)
Source: The Precision