President Maithripala Sirisena rejected three Cabinet papers presented by Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake, at the last Cabinet meeting, Cabinet Spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said. 

One Cabinet paper, according to the Minister, was to use 'Visumpaya' as the official residence of Karunanayake.

Another Cabinet paper was to appoint a Chief of Staff for the Foreign Minister. 

The move came in the wake of the revelation that controversial businessman Arjuna Aloysius paid the rent for an apartment used by Karunanayake and his family  

A sizable proportion of Cabinet members, during their inner circle talks, expressed dismay at the Foreign Minister's conduct.