Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe has removed five state ministers, including Geetha Kumarasinghe, with immediate effect. The others include Shasheendra Rajapaksa, Amith Thenuka Vidanagamage, Prasanna Ranaweera & D.V. Chanaka.

Earlier, last week, the President had removed four state ministers, Premalal Jayasekara, Indika Anuruddha, Mohan Priyadarshana de Silva & Siripala Gamlath. The removed individuals had announced their support for Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP)’s Presidential Candidate, Namal Rajapaksa. However, several SLPP parliamentarians backed the incumbent President and formed a new alliance Podujana Eksath Nidahas Peramuna.

Sri Lanka will vote on the 21st of September to elect its ninth executive President.