Newly Sports Minister resigns after two-day tenure

The unfolding political crisis in Sri Lanka, which the President Chandrika Kumaratunga Bandaranaike is trying to circumvent with the formation of a delicate coalition government, has forced the resignation of the newly-appointed Sports Minister after just two days in office.

Mangala Samaraweera, former Minister for Urban Development, had replaced Laksmann Kiriella and been sworn into office on Friday. On Saturday he had promised a crackdown on corruption in sports administration, but he then resigned on Sunday night.

His unexpected decision is believed to have been made after a personal request by the President, who has been forced to reduce the number of full time ministers to 20 by her left-wing coalition partners. No replacement has been selected, meaning that the President herself will take over the coveted post. Samaraweera will become the deputy.