Hambanthota District UNP Parliamentarian Sajith Premadasa today distanced himself from the claims that he was instrumental in the "sudden resignation" of Saman Wagaarachchi, Editor of daily Lakbima.
Speaking to 'Asian Mirror', Premadasa said he was not in a position to remove an Editor of a newspaper that is owned by a Parliamentarian representing the ruling party.
{module LOLC}
He said there was no discussion with Lakbima Proprietor Thilanga Sumathipala with regard to Wagaarachchi or his conduct as the editor of the newspaper. It was widely reported in online publications over the past few days that Premadasa, along with his sister Dulanjalee Jayakody, had had a discussion with Sumathipala regarding the Lakbima Editor's removal.
Nearly two days after the story broke out, Wagaarachchi tendered his resignation to the management of Sumathi Publications (Pvt) Limited, the publisher of ''Lakbima".
Under Wagaarachchi's watch, columnist Chandrasiri Seneviratne wrote a column to the newspaper strongly criticizing Sajith Premadasa and his stance on fielding a "common opposition candidate" for the next Presidential Election.
When asked whether Premadasa's 'alleged' meeting with Thilanga Sumathipala prompted his decision to resign from the position, Wagaarachchi said he could not comment on the matter "at this juncture". However, he promised to make a public announcement on the matter in the near future.
