Amidst the unstable political scenario of Sri Lanka, Dayasiri Jayasekara, the SLFP leader and Sports Minister informed president Maithripala Sirisena about a non existing fact.
According to the private Sirasa Television Network, which was on an agenda to back Sirisena’s move to oust Prime Minister Ranil Wickramsinghe, on Sunday Dayasiri informed President that they had 113 votes in parliament to form a government of their own.
However, when parliament began its session on Monday, the putsch had fizzled out. Instead of the 113 signatures of MPs supporting them, the SLFP/UPFA tabled a request for an adjournment debate with the signatures of just 20 MPs.
Obviously, being handicapped by lack of support in the parliament to oust Prime Minister, SLFP decided to remain in the government!
However, the information given by Dayasiri created an embarrassing situation for country’s President.
Today, there will be discussion about the ministerial reshuffle on Wednesday, and all eyes will be on Dayasiri. As he has proved himself as one of the most influential person in trying to topple the Ranil Wickramsinghe, it’s highly unlikely that he will remain as the Sports Minister.
If it happens, Dayasiri tenure will be remembered as one of the most Controversial in Sri Lanka history. Especially, his over-interest in cricket raised many eyebrows over the years.
There have been reservations about him that he acts like a ‘Cricket Minister’ instead of being ‘Sports Minister’.
During the India tour of Sri Lanka in August last year, he engaged in war of words with Iconic Sri Lanka fast bowler Lasith Malinga over the certain loopholes of SLC.
Interestingly, after that Malinga hasn’t played for Sri Lanka in any form of the game and now he is mulling over the retirement!
In another interesting story, it has learnt that, Dayasiri, as he ‘thinks’ too much about the cricket, was instrumental in appointing a district provincial coach for his home town club in Kuliyapitiya, even though club plays in division three.
