Recently sacked Sri Lankan ministers Wimal Weerawansa and Udaya Gammanpila reportedly declared war on the government and warned to expose who was the ‘main cause’ of the island’s crisis.
On Thursday, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa sacked Weerawansa from his role as Industries Minister and Gammanpila from his position as Energy Minister as the island grapples with it's worsening economic crisis.
According to Colombo Gazette, the duo told a press conference that in the past “they spoke with their tongues tied but could now talk freely” and are able to “expose their misdeeds.”
Gammanpila also reportedly called Sri Lanka’s Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa an “ugly American” and blamed him for the current crisis.
“Someone who was ignorant of the economy is handling the economy of the country today. I will reveal all facts with written proof as to who put the country into this turmoil.This is an intentional conspiracy,” Gammanpila told reporters.
It is reported that both of the former ministers have a sour relationship with the finance minister after opposing a deal to give a take-or-pay liquefied natural gas deal as well as opposing the sale of a power plant to US-based New Fortress Energy.
Sri Lanka is currently facing one of its worst economic crises. Due to the foreign exchange shortage, Sri Lanka has been unable to afford imports of fuel, medicine and food, causing prices to skyrocket. The country has been rationing its supply of fuel, which has led to long queues at petrol stations and daily power cuts across the island. There have now been warnings of disruptions to the country’s water supply.
Although the country’s economy is in dire straits, Sri Lanka has so far refused to request financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund to restructure its debt.
