It is reported that the President has informed Sports Minister RoshanRanasinghe, who has been accused of breaking the unity of the Cabinet to meet him and apologize. Sources in the President’s office indicatethat the President informed the Minister about this on the 4th of August Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe has been accused of breaking the unity of the Cabinet by holding a press conference disclosing the details of a discussion in the Cabinet.
The minister said that as a farmer’s son, he regrets the decision not to release the water in the reservoirs for cultivation in view of the current dry season. He has also stated that millions of damages may be caused to the farmers due to the destruction of farming activities due to the non-release of water. Regarding the release of water from the reservoirs, it has been decided in the cabinet discussion that when the limited amount of water available for generating electricity is released for crops, the generation of hydro power will be hindered and due to this situation, electricity will be cut for many hours a day. Therefore, to protect the water and compensate the crop damage caused to the farmers.
However, several members of the Cabinet have complained to the President that the Sports Minister’s statement in a press conference against the decision taken by the Cabinet is against the collective commitment of the Cabinet. They have pointed out to the President that the Minister of Sports has deliberately violated the collectivenes of the Cabinet in such a way as to embarrass the government. After that, the President, who is the head of the cabinet of Ministers, has informed the Minister of Sports to give an excuse.
We would be able to hear in the near future does the Sports Minister conscientiously stick to his declared position as a farmer’s son or we will hear and see whether he apologize to the president in the near uture.
