The first meeting the former governor of eastern province Anuradha Yahampath had after she, was removed from the post of Governor was to meet the Governor of Yunnan Province, China, Wang Yubo. On May 21, the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka tweeted that on May 17, the governor of Yunnan province met former governor Anuradha Yahampath and appreciated her efforts to develop the relationship between Yunnan province and the Eastern Province.
Former Governor Anuradha Yahampath, when President Ranil asked her to step down, said that Ranil was trying to remove her before she was to meet the Chinese Governor of Yunnan Province on a scheduled meeting. She tried to show that Ranil had embarrassed China by removing her. Ranil decided to remove her not because she was dealing with China, but because she called a press conference and criticized Ranil when he announced that 13th Amendment to the constitution would be fully implemented.
After that, she met Maha Nayaka Theros along with national movements and asked them to oppose Ranil’s statement. Mahanayake Theros also issued statements condemning Ranil’s statement. Ranil was very embarrassed by this. He met and discussed with the Mahanayake Theros, and from that day he did not talk about the 13amendment. It must be then that Ranil decided to remove Anuradha Yahampattu. He removed her and appointed Senthil Thondaman of Ceylon worker’s Congress, which has links with India. While appointing Senthil Kondaman, he signed agreements with China’s Sinopec. The Cabinet approved the facilities requested by China for the Colombo Port City which is a Chinese project. The governor of China’s Yunnan province met with the new governor Senthil Thondaman before leaving.
Ranil removed the former governor for two reasons. The first was she influenced national movements including Mahanayaka Theros against him. The second reason was her direct relations with China. These days, Ranil is trying to get the Sri Lankan ambassador to China, Palitha Kohona, removed, who has direct relations with China. Palita Kohona and Anuradha Yahampat are close associates of the Rajapaksas. Kohona is related to Rajapaksa. His aim may be to change the network of relations with China and Rajapaksa and take it over. While doing so, it may be sending a message to India that he is removing those with close ties to China.
