Ashu Marasinghe resigns from post of Assistant Chief Government Whip

Following the defeat of the expenditure heads of two ministries of government on Thursday, the Assistant Chief Government Whip, MP Prof. Ashu Marasinghe of the ruling United National Party has resigned from his post.
 
Marasinghe said the decision to resign was taken at the committee stage budget vote held yesterday.
 
The expenditure heads of the Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development Ministry headed by Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka and of Minister Vajira Abeywardena's Internal and Home Affairs and Provincial Councils and Local Government were defeated yesterday in an unexpected move during the committee stage of the Budget 2019 when the opposition unexpectedly called for a division while most of the government members were absent.
 
Prof. Marasinghe, speaking to media today, said he was disappointed that he could not fulfill his role as the Assistant Chief Whip of the government and accordingly decided to resign from the post. He said the Prime Minister and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has accepted his resignation.
 
Marasinghe stressed that he will be committed to providing a strong contribution to the party and the government in the future. (Colombo Page)