Recieving appointment as skills and employment promotion minister

Sripathi Suriayaarachchi appointed as the skills and employment promotion minister by President Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned soon after the swearing in ceremony on Tuesday.

The minister who resigned told BBC Sandeshaya from Colombo that the portfolio is, "non existent and previously unheard of".

Suriayaarachchi who said that he was not consulted before the appointment claimed, "what I was given does not fit my qualifications".

He admitted that he had higher expectations in "getting a portfolio to serve the nation".

'Sad' about JVP

The non-appointment of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) representatives to the cabinet also came under criticism from Suriyaarachchi.

"I am sad about the JVP that was in the forefront of the presidential campaign not getting powerful cabinet portfolios" added the parliamentarian who said that he will carry on as a backbencher and pursue his career in law.