Aug 13, Colombo: Sri Lanka's governing party has re-instated its party member and head of the Tangalle Pradeshiya Sabha after removing him from the party and his post due to his alleged involvement in a murder.

Former Tangalle Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman, W.G. Sampath Chandrapushpa is in remand custody over his alleged involvement in the murder of British national, Khuram Zama Shaikh, during a party at The Nature, a resort in Tangalle on Christmas Eve last year.

Governing United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) General Secretary, Minister Susil Premajayantha has on July 25th, 2012 issued a letter to Chandrapushpa informing him of his removal from the party, with immediate effect.

However, on July 29th, 2012, Premajayantha has sent a second letter informing Chandrapushpa that the previous letter is invalid and he has been reinstated as PS chairman and that his party membership has been restored.

The involvement of ruling party politicians in heinous crimes, especially in the Southern Province, has come under severe criticism from opposition political parties as well as from the public.