SLFP REQUESTS PRESIDENT

TO REMOVE GOVERNORS SALLEY, HIZBULLAH

Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has requested its leader President Maithripala Sirisena to remove Governors of the Western and Eastern provinces Asath Salley and M. L.A. M. Hisbullah to defuse tension built up in the country over allegations against them, a party official said yesterday.

SLFP National Organizer Duminda Dissanayake told Daily Mirror a group of SLFP MPS made representation to the President several times and asked him to remove these two governors over allegations against them in connection with Easter Sunday’s terrorist attack.

MP Ven. Athuraliye Ratana Thera who was nominate to Parliament on the National List of the United National Party (UNP) has staged a fast in front of Dalada Maligawa in Kandy demanding the removal of these two governors and Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen. Commenting on the fast, Mr. Dissanayake said the appointment and removal of provincial governors was at the sole discretion of the President and therefore he should step in to take action. “There is a strong build-up of public perception against them. Therefore, it is advisable for the President to remove them from office to facilitate impartial investigations into allegations against them. It is better for their future as well,” he said. Afterwards, he said action could be taken against Minister Bathiudeen in consultation between the President and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. “First, we, as the

SLFP, should set an example by removing the two governors,” he said.