Anura Bandaranaike sworn in as minister

[TamilNet, Thursday, 22 February 2007, 20:43 GMT]
Anura Bandaranaike, one of the sacked three ministers, was again sworn in as Minister of National Heritage Thursday morning at Temple Trees in the presence of Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapakse. Minister Dinesh Gunawardene and Western Provincial Governor, Alavi Moulana were present during the swearing-in.

Anura Bandaranaike was offered the same ministry in the major cabinet reshuffle that took place recently.

Political sources said Mr. Rajapakse has promised Anura Bandaranaike that he would be appointed as Special Foreign Advisor in addition to his ministry post.

Soon after the sacking Anura Bandaranaike in a scathing attack on Rajapakse administration in parliament two weeks ago that Rajapakse family is running the Sri Lanka.

Thereafter he made a complaint to the Police that he has been threatened with death by telephone following his statement in parliament.

However, Dinesh Gunawardene, leader of the Mahajana Exsath Peramuna (MEP), one of the constituent parties in United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) government and Alavi Moulana were successful in their attempt to bring reconciliation between Anura Bandaranaike and Rajapakse.

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