Governor of the Wayamba Province – Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena has suspended the service of two principals who had previously come forward as National People’s Power candidates for the LG polls.

The duo had been previously reinstated to their positions by the Wayamba Provincial Council after the polls were postponed.

However, Mr. Abeywardena had suspended these reinstated principals over the stiff opposition of politicians from the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, reports say.

Meanwhile, it had been revealed at a special district coordination committee meeting in Kurunegala on Feb. 22 that there are attempts to remove the General Secretary at the Wayamba Provincial Council, who had reinstated these principals.
Housing and Construction Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, Kurunegala District Coordinating Committee Co-Chairmen North Western Province Governor Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena and Kurunegala District Member of Parliament Samanpriya Herath chaired this special committee meeting at the Kurunegala District Secretariat Auditorium.

Members of the SLPP have strongly emphasized that not just the principals backing the NPP, but also other candidates should be reinstated as soon as possible.

According to reports, General Secretary at the Wayamba Provincial Council – Ranjith Ariyaratne, and the secretary of the provincial education ministry – Nayana Kariyawasam, have been severely criticized at the meeting.

Stating that this was not a decision taken on their personal whims but on a recommendation sent by the main Ministry of Education, the officials have pointed out that they have not done anything wrong.

Minister Prasanna Ranatunga has stated that what they say cannot be accepted as it is the provincial council alone that has full powers to implement decisions with regard to government officials working under the institution.Responding, Mr. Abeywardena had stated that as a solution, he has already taken measures to suspend the reinstated appointments of the NPP candidates.