COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga ordered a massive cull Wednesday, firing 39 political ministers, the Press Trust of India reported.
As tension mounts between the president and her archrival, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, the mass firing was seen as a pre-emptive measure in anticipation of elections, the report said.
Kumaratunga suddenly dissolved parliament Saturday, and called for April 12 elections, three years ahead of schedule, as part of the power struggle.
The political crisis began when the president took over three of Wickremesinghe's ministries last November.
A statement on the firings said Kumaratunga "has sacked 27 non-cabinet ministers and 12 deputy ministers," a presidential spokesman said.
"In view of the dissolution of parliament I have decided to remove all non-cabinet and deputy ministers by virtue of powers vested in me," the statement said.
