Colombo, Sri Lanka – In a sharp exchange highlighting tensions within the government, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe took aim at Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, alleging that she lacks a solid understanding of Sri Lanka’s Constitution. Wickremesinghe’s criticism follows recent comments by Amarasuriya, who questioned the absence of official directives regarding salary increases for government employees.
Wickremesinghe asserted that “the country is governed by the Cabinet, not by officials,” a remark intended to emphasize the central role of the Cabinet in governance decisions. In response to what he deemed Amarasuriya’s misinterpretation of constitutional protocols, he stated that he would be willing to educate her on constitutional matters or even send his former associate, Dinesh Gunawardena, for the task.
The former President’s remarks come amid mounting debates over government pay scales and the decision-making channels that influence such policy changes. Wickremesinghe’s comments suggest a broader disagreement over the balance of power within the government, particularly in the Cabinet’s authority versus the roles of bureaucratic officials.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya’s statement, which suggested that officials had not yet issued instructions on salary adjustments, was seen by Wickremesinghe as a fundamental misunderstanding. His remarks, seen by some as inflammatory, underscore existing political tensions and may point to deeper ideological divides within the ruling coalition.
Political analysts note that this conflict could reflect ongoing challenges in interpreting and applying Sri Lanka’s governance framework, especially in times of economic pressure when wage issues become particularly sensitive.
