Duminda examining his conscience

A notable absentee during yesterday’s Cabinet swearing-in, United People’s Freedom Alliance MP Duminda Dissanayake said that he is unable to be a part of the new Cabinet with a clear conscience. 

“I could not participate in the ceremony yesterday with a clear conscience,” he said, speaking to Daily FT. 

Speculation was rife among political circles about possible defection by Dissanayake from UPFA to the UNP camp. 

Dissanayake, who held the Disaster Management Portfolio under the Coalition Government Cabinet before Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s sacking last Friday, was one of the first five to walk out of the Rajapaksa Government in 2014. He was later appointed the General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, led by Sirisena.

The Parliamentarian was also very vocal against Mahinda Rajapaksa, calling the Party leadership to take disciplinary action. However, Dissanayake was seen at the swearing-in ceremony of Rajapaksa as Prime Minister last Friday. 

When asked what his future action would be, Dissanayake said that he “intends to work according to his conscience”. (CD)