President Maithripala Sirisena has removed Tourism and Christian Religious Affairs Deputy Minister Arundika Fernando from his ministerial posts with immediate effect.

The President’s Office confirmed that the President removed Deputy Minister Arundika Fernando using the powers vested in him under Section 46. 3 (a) of the Constitution.

Section 46. 3 (a) holds that ‘a Minister of the Cabinet of Ministers, a Minister who is not a member of the Cabinet of Ministers and a Deputy Minister, shall continue to hold office throughout the period during which the Cabinet of Ministers continues to function under the provisions of the Constitution unless he – (a) is removed from office under the hand of the President on the advice of the Prime Minister; (b) resigns from office by a writing under his hand addressed to the President; or (c) ceases to be a Member of Parliament.'

Former Deputy Minister Arundika Fernando was previously called before the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) of the Police to make a statement on the recent trip he had made to Japan, where he had met with Udayanga Weeratunga, former Ambassador to Russia who is currently wanted on an INTERPOL warrant.