President calls for Jeyaraj's explanation

President Chandrika Kumaratunga has blasted Commerce Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle and called for his explanation over a statement the minister made naming JVP propaganda secretary Wimal Weerawansa as the prospective Prime Minister under a UPFA government.

The President's letter calling for explanation followed an interview Minister Fernandopulle has given to a Tamil newspaper claiming Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse, if elected president would assign Minister Mangala Samaraweera or Wimal Weerawansa as Prime Minister, due to Foreign Minister Anura Bandaranaike not campaigning for Rajapakse.

The Foreign Minister last week wrote to the President complaining bitterly against Fernandopulle's comments stating he had violated party discipline. Bandaranaike had also in his letter made reference to a plot to undermine the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) by a group working for Rajapakse.

This president in her letter to Fernandopulle had accused him of acting contrary to party decisions and reminded him of several attempts by him to undermine the party. She has also reminded the minister of JVP's attempts to destroy the SLFP and questioned whether he was a tool in their hands.

Kumaratunga has further brought Fernandopulle's attention to his political history and the role played by the Bandaranaikes in giving him due recognition.

The Sunday leader learns that Fernandopulle on being informed of President Kumaratunga's letter had been visibly upset and decided to explain his position to Kumaratunga and extend his solidarity with the Bandaranaikes. (Sunday Leader)