PM chosen by Parliament, not Prez-Ranil

28 November 2018 08:40 am - 14 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Responding to a statement made by President Maithripala Sirisena that he will not appoint him as the Prime Minister again; UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said the President has to offer the post to anyone chosen by Parliament.

Mr. Wickremesinghe expressed this sentiment at a public rally in Kalutara last evening.

“Gone are the days when President was able to hand pick a Prime Minister. It is Parliament which has the power to appoint a Prime Minister under the 19th Amendment to the Constitution,” Mr. Wickremesinghe said.

“We have been following the British tradition since 1948 and had appointed the person who commands a majority in the House as the Prime Minister,” Mr. Wickremesinghe said.

“Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga told me that she will appoint me as Prime Minister in 2001 even though she does not want to do it. This, she said, she will do as I had a majority,” he added.

He said President Sirisena should have informed him in 2015 itself if he did not want to work with him. “President could even have told Minister Rajitha Senaratne if he was not willing to work with me then. He should have at least mentioned it to members of his own party at that time,” Mr. Wickremesinghe said.

Mr. Wickremesinghe recalled that when President Sirisena asked him whether he was ready to resign after the local government election earlier this year he had told the President that both he and the President should take equal responsibility for the polls defeat and not him alone. The UNP Leader further said he never said he did not want to work with the SLFP after several of them voted in favour of the no-confidence motion against him.

UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa said he is willing to lay down his life for the sake of democracy just like the Speaker who stands up fearlessly for justice. (Yohan Perera)

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Comments - 14

Ronnie Bugger Wednesday, 28 November 2018 09:22 AM

Typical f a newly married couple. First the marriage - MS and RW breaking away after the 'hopper' breakfast. Second - the honeymoon that started on 08/01/2015.Third - family problems, not seeing eye to eye and suspicions of infidelity and finally, Fourth - divorce. Fifth - enter Romeo.

Sangaralingham Wednesday, 28 November 2018 09:32 AM

Constitution created by members accepted was not perfect. New one one still hiding somewhere. As it stands today all must respect the ccondtitution. If not consult the courts or constitutions experts which seems to me dotted all over the country.

Pradeepan Wednesday, 28 November 2018 09:33 AM

First tenure as PM second 2 years third 3 years. Each time removed. Learn and depart

Athula Wednesday, 28 November 2018 09:35 AM

Wait ! how did the president choose PM on january 8? Three years ago

Reality Check Wednesday, 28 November 2018 09:52 PM

You don't do much reading, right?

Tharu Bnsa Wednesday, 28 November 2018 09:40 AM

President does not want to appoint you as PM, because you are a corrupt person; actually father of all corruptions in scale.UNP president Jayawardene gave such power to president! Why are you now complaining like a cry-boy?

Opportunist Wednesday, 28 November 2018 09:42 AM

Look who is talking. How did you become the PM in 2015? Was it a decision made by the parliament?

Sandy Wednesday, 28 November 2018 09:49 AM

were you selected as PM by parliament ?

Wise Donkey Wednesday, 28 November 2018 09:58 AM

Poor Ranil still thinks that he is in Sri Lanka! Wake up! We are in ZIMBABWE!!!!!!!!

Amara Wednesday, 28 November 2018 10:17 AM

Aney sir, If you care about the people of the country, please gracefully step down and nominate Sajith as the PM and give him the party leadership. MS is not going to change his stance when it comes to you. You should think about us the everyday people.

Jehan Wednesday, 28 November 2018 10:17 AM

so god save sri lanka if president and prime minister are from different political parties. This is what your 19A did to my country

CJ Wednesday, 28 November 2018 10:19 AM

Sure .. who's goner sign your appointment ? queen of England ?

joshua Wednesday, 28 November 2018 10:22 AM

MS does not know anything regarding politics. One of worst President's we had in this country. MS cannot decide who the PM should be. But try to tell him in Sinhalese.

Chari Wednesday, 28 November 2018 02:17 PM

The 19A was the political coup to appease the Diaspora.

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PM chosen by Parliament, not Prez-Ranil

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