Wickremesinghe's Pre-Election Ministerial Shake-Up

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe sacked four junior ministers who backed the Rajapaksa dynasty ahead of the presidential elections. The move aims to consolidate support for his independent candidacy against SLPP's Namal Rajapaksa. A new grand coalition supports Wickremesinghe amidst political tensions.

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Thursday dismissed four junior ministers from his government, a move viewed as an effort to purge Rajapaksa supporters ahead of the September 21 presidential elections.

A statement from the president's office cited Article 47 (3) of the Constitution as the basis for the decision.

The ousted ministers are State Minister of Ports and Aviation Services Premalal Jayasekara, State Minister of Power and Energy Indika Anuruddha, State Minister of Agriculture Mohan Priyadarshana de Silva, and State Minister of Highways Siripala Gamlath.

These ministers had declared their support for Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna's (SLPP) Namal Rajapaksa, a candidate from the prominent Rajapaksa family.

The Rajapaksas have withdrawn their backing for Wickremesinghe, who is running as an independent candidate, though he leads the United National Party.

The decision to remove the ministers coincided with the launch of the People's United Freedom Alliance, chaired by Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena. The alliance includes over 25 political parties rallying behind Wickremesinghe in the presidential race.

Gunawardena stated, "We have formed this alliance to contest the parliamentary election that will follow the presidential election."

Wickremesinghe assumed the presidency in 2022 after Gotabaya Rajapaksa was ousted. Initially seen as a temporary leader, he was appointed through a majority vote in parliament by the SLPP.

Some younger SLPP members, instrumental in assisting Wickremesinghe's efforts to revitalize the economy, have pledged their support to him rather than the Rajapaksas.

The SLPP announced plans to take disciplinary measures against those members supporting Wickremesinghe's candidacy over Namal Rajapaksa.

(With inputs from agencies.)