Lokuge, Vasu on Premjayanth’s sacking

Water Supply Minister and General Secretary of the Democratic Left (DLF) Vasudeva Nanayakkara yesterday (04) said that it would cause severe harm to the ruling coalition if members of the parliamentary group were unable to express dissent.

He said so in response to media queries on the sacking of State Minister Susil Premjayantha over his criticism of the government.

Nanayakkara said that action should have been taken following  an inquiry. Claiming that he was not aware what had caused Premjayantha’s removal, Nanayakkara said that their expression of dissenting views on a particular contentious matter couldn’t be compared with that of an SLPP member as they represented different political setups.

Power Minister Gamini Lokuge told another media briefing that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had directed that members of the parliamentary group couldn’t speak at every platform. According to Lokuge, they could take up issues at the cabinet as well as the parliamentary group. The lawmaker questioned the appropriateness of his colleagues making statements, including at temples.

Minister Lokuge claimed that he got to know about Premjayantha’s removal through an SMS. (SF)