Political party leader among new Governors

SLPP wanted new faces brought in

Ceylon Workers’ Congress leader Senthil Thondaman was among three new Governors appointed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday (17). Senthil received the leadership of the party founded by his grandfather in March last year.

Senthil Thondaman is the first leader of a political party to receive appointment as a Governor. Thondaman succeeded Anuradha Yahampath, a viyathmaga activist who received the Governorship from the then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Similarly former Election Commission member P.S.M. Charles succeeded Jeevan Thiyagarajah as Governor of the Northern Province, the first instance a woman received that position. Charles served as the Government Agent Vavuniya at the height of the war.

Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, who last represented the UPFA in Parliament received appointment as Governor of the North Western Province, at the expense of Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda.

Political sources told The Island that in spite of claims that President Wickremesinghe wanted to remove some of the Governors to accommodate former defeated UNP lawmakers, the request for new appointments was made by the SLPP. (SF)