It is reported that a group of Parliamentarians are attempting to remove the two governors who are currently enforcing the law in the Western Province and the North Western Province.
Air Force Marshal Roshan Gunathilaka who is the current Western Province governor as well as Admiral Wasantha Karnagoda, who is the current Governor of the North Western Province, are facing this predicament.
The MPs critical of the two governors have reportedly been very critical at a recent meeting of government MPs led by the President, claiming the two former military officers are running a military-like regime in their respective provinces.
However, ‘Sri Lanka Mirror’ learns that the reason behind these accusations are due to the governors taking strict measures with regard to corrupt irregularities such as illegal building approvals brought by the MPs and businessmen’s demands.
It is said that the majority of MPs who had been critical of the governors are state ministers and MPs who have themselves been accused of various irregularities. In contrast, the two governors are said to be very popular among the public.
MPs and state ministers such as Sanath Nishantha, Gamini Lokage, D. Weerasinghe, D.B. Herath, Jayantha Katagoda and several others led by Madura Withanage have raised their criticisms of the two governors in question.
“The Western Province governor does not heed to any politician in the province. Commissioners of local councils and municipal councils like Kotikawatta and Kotte have been transferred. Now Kataragama Divisional Secretary has been brought in. That gentleman may be a good person, but he doesn’t know how to do this job. We have asked to change this. But he is not ready to do so and now there are issues with us. How can one do politics with people like this?,” Madura has said.
Meanwhile, State Minister – Sanath Nishantha has also added, “Not only in the Western Province, but the North West Governor is also like this. He does not pay any heed to public representatives. A letter was sent urging government officials to boycott a certain state function attended by the President. The governor of North West does not give two hoots about the government or the regional politicians. One day, I was there when Presidential Advisor – Ashu Marasinghe gave him some advice. His response was on the lines of he did not care about that advice. Ask Ashu Marasinghe whether it’s a falsehood.”
