Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) General Secretary Duminda Dissanayake said the United National Party (UNP) action on Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe was a ‘good example’ to other parties.

Responding to a question asking why members of the SLFP were allowed to critique decisions made by the government, the Minister said, “This is a good example for all watching parties.”

When asked why the UNP decided to remove a Minister for criticizing the government’s decision the Minister deflected the question to the UNP.

He also commented on the common candidate for the 2020 Presidential Elections saying that President Maithripala Sirisena was still the party’s overwhelming favourite.

He said that in the event that President Sirisena refuses to contest, there were many other senior ministers in the party, including current Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva and Minister S. B. Dissanayake.