Kandy district MPs called to Temple Trees: More Ministers on the cards?
May 3, 2010 10:51 pm
President Mahinda Rajapaksa has called the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Members of Parliament returned from the Kandy district to Temple Trees tomorrow (May 4). This follows the committee to probe the alleged election malpractices at 37 polling centres in Nawalapitiya, handing in its report to President Mahinda Rajapaksa today.
The committee was headed by the Attorney-at-Law W.G. Karunajeewa and the members were former IGP Chandra Fernando, Attorney-at-Law Saliya Mathew and Professor Rohana Lakshman Piyadasa. Attorney-at-Law Champani Padmasekara was the Secretary to the committee.
After recording evidence from politicians and officials of Local Government authorities in the district, the public and the clergy, the committee appointed by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) had concluded that no ruling party member was involved in any of the alleged incidents.
On April 8, immediately after polls, the Elections Commissioner annulled the votes of several polling centres at Nawalapitiya and one at Trincomalee. A re-poll was held on April 20.
Meanwhile, sources close to the government said that the
reason behind President Rajapaksa calling the
Former Minister and Media sSpokesman on National Security Keheliya Rambukwella is tipped to be appointed the Minister of Media and Information, these sources said.
One time Chandrika loyalist and later the United National Party’s (UNP) National Organiser S.B. Dissanayake who backed President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the last Presidential poll is likely to be appointed as the Minister of Higher Education, sources said.
Similarly, former Ministers Arumugam Thondaman, Dr. Sarath
Amunugama and Tissa Vitharana are also to be offered portfolios thus increasing
the strength to 42. Several Deputy Ministers including
Photo caption: The committee handing over its report to President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees this evening. - (Pic. by Sudath Silva)
