The four former ministers who announced their resignation from the government today state that the recent appointment of special commissioners for Local Government Bodies was an attempt to handover the power base of the UPFA to its main opponent, the UNP.

In a letter addressed to President Maithripala Sirisena, they point out that this angered the grass-root members of the SLFP and denied the right of the people to elect their local representatives. The letter also said that it was impossible for them to stay in the government any further after the decision to appoint special commissioners.

Furthermore, they argued that as ministers, they are unable to provide answers for some of the questions raised on the policies of the government. For example, the government has stopped virtually all local level development work. People are inquiring as to why this happens when the President of the country is also the Chairman of the SLFP, the four resigned ministers said.

Dilan Perera, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, C. B. Ratnayake and Pavithra Wanniarachchi announced their resignation as ministers this morning.

(See below for the letter)