Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama
is in hot water following the statements
he made in favour of the suspension of
Pakistan from the Commonwealth in Uganda
last week.
However, the cabinet on Friday
decided to change its stance on the
matter in favour of Pakistan.
Bogollagama had spoken at the
Commonwealth Committee in Uganda in
favour of the suspension of Pakistan.
UNP MP Lakshman Kiriella stated that
the cabinet had to change its stance as
Sri Lanka has maintained a good
relationship with Pakistan and the
statement made by Bogollagama would
affect relations.
Speaking to The Sunday Leader
Kiriella said that Bogollagama should
step down from his position. "He (Bogollagama)
had made a statement in favour of the
suspension of Pakistan from the
Commonwealth. However, we got to know
that the cabinet today (Friday) decided
to change its position and that the
President would speak in favour of
Pakistan," he said.
"The cabinet decided to change its
stance because the country has been
maintaining good ties so far," he added.
Kiriella said the Minister had to
step down due to his statement made last
week. "He should step down from his
position as the Foreign Minister," he
said.
Speaking on the issue to The
Sunday Leader, a cabinet minister
admitted that the cabinet had changed
its stance with regard to the suspension
of Pakistan from the Commonwealth. "We
decided to be in favour of Pakistan at
the cabinet meeting," he said.
However, the Minister stated that
nothing was discussed with regard to the
action to be taken against Minister
Bogollagama.
"I am not aware of any action to be
taken by the government on Minister
Bogollagama. That was not taken up at
the meeting. We only decided to be in
favour of Pakistan," the source said.
