President Maithripala Sirisena has come under severe pressure from members of the government over the appointment of Anuruddha Polgampola as the State Timber Corporation Chairman. 

Polgampola was appointed to the position after his predecessor P. Dissanayake was arrested by the Bribery Commission while accepting a bribe of Rs. 20 million last week. 

Polgampola, a former member of the JVP, was sacked from the party after bribery and corruption charges surfaced against him. 

He later joined the National Freedom Front but was prosecuted for issuing invalid cheques to a private party and for misappropriating funds worth Rs. 7.5 million. 

When asked about this questionable appointment, a UNP Cabinet Minister said the President had to take responsibility for the appointment as the State Timber Corporation came under him. 

"This is a coalition government and we cannot interfere with appointments made by the President for institutions coming under his purview," he added. 

However, he admitted that there was an outcry on the part of the civil society against the appointment.