General
Sri Lanka aviation minister steps down, president orders probe
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has ordered an probe over allegations made by the opposition leader while Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva will step down until its conclusion, a statement from the President’s media division said.
“President Gotabaya Rajapaksa ordered an immediate formal investigation into the allegations leveled by the opposition leader in Parliament yesterday (05) regarding a transaction between the Ministry of Aviation with a private company,” the statement said.
“Minister NimalSiripala De Silva will step down temporarily from the position of Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation Services on the instructions of the President until the investigations are concluded.
Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa made allegations in parliament regarding a Japanese construction company.
Minister de Silva had resigned denying the allegation and calling for an investigation, media reports said. (Colombo/Jul06/2022)