Minister Wijeyadasa resigns to contest polls; President wish him best

Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe has announced today that he is resigning from the Ministerial portfolio following his recent decision to contest the upcoming Presidential Elections. 

The former Minister addressed the media today to inform his decision to step down from the Cabinet of Ministers, followed by his intention to contest upcoming polls under the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) ticket which is crippled with internal politics and factions supporting different candidates. 

His decision to resign from the Cabinet of Ministers came in the wake of a letter sent by President Ranil Wickremesinghe last week appreciating his service as Minister during which many legal enactments and laws were passed in keeping up the government’s agreement with the International Monetary Forum (IMF). 

In a letter addressed to the Minister on Friday (28), President Wickremesinghe noted that the past two years have been a transformative period for the country's legal system, marked by extensive reform in line with the requirements of the IMF and World Bank programmes. 

"Your leadership and commitment have been crucial in driving these progressive changes, fostering a more just and equitable legal system in our country. However, with your recent announcement of candidacy for the upcoming Presidential elections, I presume you have decided to step down from your role as a member of the Cabinet of Ministers, 

"I wish to express my sincere gratitude for your significant and active contributions to the Cabinet of Ministers during your tenure as the Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms. Your service and dedication to legal and Constitutional reforms are deeply appreciated. I wish you all the best in your future endeavours," President Wickremesinghe said in the letter.