Jathika Hela Urumaya Media Spokesman Nishantha Sri Warnasinghe today hit out at the Western Province Chief Minister Isura Devapriya, saying that he had deliberately sabotaged the vote of the expenditure heads of the Western Provincial Health Ministry and other ministries.

Addressing the media at a special press conference at JHU headquarters, Warnasinghe pointed out that the Chief Minister was not in the chamber when the vote was taken. This was in total violation of the principle of collective responsibility of the Provincial Ministers, he added. Warnasinghe pointed out that Devapriya had entered the chamber later and asked for the right to cast his vote, claiming that he did not hear the bell.

Chief Minister Isura Devapriya yesterday took oaths in the ministerial portfolios held by Warnasinghe. However, Warnasinghe revealed that the Western Province Governor officially informed him of his ouster four hours after Devapriya had taken oaths.

Warnasinghe also asked for an explanation regarding the legal basis for his ouster.

He pointed out that he was in the forefront in the fight to create a new political culture. However, certain elements are trying to undermine the gains by the present government since they want to bring back the old political culture, he argued.

Meanwhile, speaking to Asian Mirror yesterday, Warnasinghe hit out at the Chief Minister, arguing that he was also controlled by the pro-Rajapaksa group in the Provincial Council.