Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake announced that he would resign from the ministerial portfolio. 

"The history and time will decide the position I deserve," the Minister said, while making a statement in Parliament, a short while ago.

"From now onwards, I will continue to function as a backbencher."

"There is a conspiracy to destroy the government. I will not let them destroy the government and the party. I will protect the government to the best of my ability," he added. 

"I sacrifice my position for democracy and good governance. I have always conducted myself in a transparent manner," Karunanayake added, quoting several religious scriptures. 

He also expressed gratitude to his wife and children, for standing by him. 

He said he never earned money through illegal means and never committed illegal acts.

"Most of the MPs representing the House have visited my residence for various reasons. They all know how I live. Even the ones who have signed the no-confidence motion against me personally aware of the way I lead my life," Karunanayake added. 

Karunanayake said the Attorney General's Department official, who questioned him at the commission, was driven by other interests. "I don't want to say whether it's for promotions or for other reasons. But in the past, even the ones who are remotely connected to a minister were not summoned before commissions. Now, under this government, the situation has changed ," the Minister added. 

He said he made immense sacrifices on behalf of the UNP, for 32 years, and even gave an election symbol to Common Candidate Maithripala Sirisena to contest the last Presidential election.