Former Southern Province Minister D.V. Upul yesterday blamed UPFA General Secretary Mahinda Amaraweera for recommending his removal from the provincial ministerial portfolios.

Speaking to the media, he said that he was removed because he supported former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Meanwhile, he added that the new appointee is a relative of Amaraweera.

HW Gunasena was yesterday appointed as a Southern Province Minister removing DV Upul.