COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s foreign minister resigned on Thursday over corruption charges in a bond scam that is now being investigated, maintaining that he was not guilty of wrongdoing.
In a statement after announcing his resignation, Ravi Karunanayaka told parliament, “I have never done anything wrong, and I resign with pride to create a new political culture in Sri Lanka and ensure good governance.”
Minister Ravi attended a special meeting with the President and Prime Minister at the Presidents Secretariat office yesterday. It was noted that he was not present at the cabinet meeting that was held at the President’s secretariat office.
He said he would continue in the party as a backbench member of parliament, however.
The allegations over Karunanayaka, a former finance minister, followed his appearance at a presidential commission last week, and he has not been charged by any court.
President Maithripala Sirisena’s government has pledged to end the rampant corruption that affected the previous government.
A statement by the Opposition leader, R. Sambandhan stated that Minister Ravi set an example of good governance that should be followed by others.