Marapana quits post

Law and Order Minister Tilak Marapana has resigned his portfolio. He submitted his resignation to President Maithripala Sirisena today amidst demand by many quarters for his quit.

He met Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe and held discussions. Thereafter, he submitted the resignation. “Since an investigation is underway about Avant Garde, I have decided to tender resignation,” he said.

Earlier, JVP categorically stated that it would move a no confidence motion on him. Several parliamentarians including Ministers demanded his resignation.

The criticism against him was that it was unethical for him to hold the portfolio of Law and Order under which the investigations into Avant Garde comes when he had appeared for the Company in his professional capacity as an Attorney at Law.

Marapana at the Parliament said he believes the whole controversy surrounding the Avant Garde issue is a result of a lack of understanding regarding the floating armoury and police officers eager to “gain points” with the new Government. “I think the reason for such confusion is due to the lack of understanding regarding the floating armoury,” the minister of Law and Order said.