State Minister of Prison Management and Prisoners’ Rehabilitation Lohan Ratwatte has stepped down from his portfolio.
Ratwatte’s resignation comes amidst accusations that he forcefully entered the Welikada and Anuradhapura prisons on Sunday (12).
State Minister Lohan Ratwatte is reported to have forcefully entered the prison complexes with a group of friends while being under the influence of alcohol, and he is also said to have allegedly threatened two prisoners at the Anuradhapura prison.
Issuing a statement, Lohan Ratwatte said that he has decided to tender his resignation with the aim of not causing further inconvenience to the Government.
Following the incidents, concerns were raised over the State Minister’s actions by the United Nations, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, and the Tamil National Alliance.
Addressing the issue, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa is reported to have informed Ratwatte to step down from his portfolio immediately.
A senior official attached to the Prime Minister’s Office told to a prominent online news portal in the isle, that the Prime Minister, who is currently in Italy, had issued the directive via a telephone conversation with Ratwatte.
He further said Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has informed President Gotabaya Rajapaksa that State Minister Ratwatte must step down pending further investigations.
