State Minister of Aviation Faizer Mustapha today said that he has tendered his resignation to the PResident.

It is said that he made this decision in order to give more time to his legal career.

While Mustapha was not willing to express the reasons behind the decision, it is widely believed that the appointment of Ajith Dias as SriLankan Airlines Chairman without his knowledge was the main reason.

Rumors about Mustapha's imminent resignation have been ongoing for more than a week.

Meanwhile, Mustapha said that he will continue to support the government despite his private reason to resign from the State Ministerial portfolio.