Ranasinghe says his life in danger

“… if anything untoward happens to me, the President and his Chief of Staff should be held responsible”

By Saman Indrajith

President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday removed Sports Youth Affairs and Irrigation Minister Roshan Ranasinghe from all posts in the government.

Ranasinghe told the media that he had received a letter from President Ranil Wickremesinghe informing him that he had been removed from all his ministerial portfolios and positions with immediate effect.

Delivering a special statement in Parliament yesterday morning (27) prior to his removal, Ranasinghe said that his life was at risk, and that in the event anything should happen to him, the President and his Chief of Presidential Staff would have to take responsibility.

“I may be killed on the road. I am not sure when it will happen. The President and Sagala Ratnayake should be held responsible for that. I fought against corruption and now I have to fight for my life. I demand my right to live for the sake of my wife and children. I am not ready to migrate to another country on a refugee visa. I have no intention of seeking asylum abroad,” the Minister said, making a special statement.

“I request the Chair not to expunge my speech from Hansard. I was among 134 who voted for the appointment the incumbent President. Is this what we get in return for voting for him,” the Minister queried.

Minister Ranasinghe said that if the crisis in Sri Lanka Cricket could not be sorted out under the present regime, it would be resolved somehow after the next Presidential election.

“I want to see this crisis come to an end. I want to send the corrupt who have been identified by the audit reports home. I need to hold those corrupt responsible for ruining the game of cricket in this country. Even if we fail to do it now, we will do it after the next presidential election,” he said.

Ranasinghe said that President Wickremesinghe had stated at the UN General Assembly that corruption should be eliminated. “If so, then why is he acting against me who is trying to eliminate corruption in Sri Lanka Cricket? I regret the way the executive powers are used to intimidate me. Now, I seek only my right to live. Who is Sagala Ratnayake? How come Cabinet orders are issued at his behest? Even some Cabinet Ministers are not aware of the fact that the Cabinet is being used to protect the corrupt. The Sports Law contains provisions vesting powers on the Minister of Sports to act against corruption. I call upon everybody to read the audit reports. See how many corrupt deals have taken place at the SLC. We are not here to protect thieves. The Cabinet powers are used to override the Sports Minister’s powers. Now, an order has been issued against the Sports Minister appointing interim committees to run SLC.”