President has no moral right to extend term of office: Basil

11 January 2018 07:16 pm - 52 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) frontliner Basil Rajapaksa today said there was no moral basis for President Maithripala Sirisena to extend his term for six years as he committed himself to reduce the term in the run up to the elections .

Mr. Rajapaksa told a news conference President Sirisena had claimed during his presidential election campaign that he would reduce the term of presidency to four years and would not seek to stay for six years.

“It is necessary to keep in mind that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has also only served for four years as the President in his second term of office. In the fourth year former President Rajapaksa went for a presidential election,” he said.

He said even President Sirisena could have gone for an election after four years and added that however President Sirisena extended the term to five years after the enactment of the 19th Amendment.

He said now President Sirisena was in an attempt extend his term for six years. He also said irrespective of the legal background, it was not morally appropriate for President Sirisena to do so considering his pre-election promises.

“The legal background of this situation will be decided by the Courts and we have complete faith in it. However it is certain that the legislation will not allow it,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said the appointment of someone from the United National Party(UNP) as the Prime Minister was the gravest humiliation inflicted on the Sri Lanka’ Freedom Party’s (SLFP) founder leader S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike.

“UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe could never become the Prime Minister through a popular vote. Yet, he was appointed as the Prime Minister. The UNP is a blood-stained party over the assassination of Mr. Bandaranaike,” he alleged.

He also said the UNP deprived SLFP leader Sirimavo Bandaranaike of civic rights and the appointment of someone from that party as the Prime Minister was the most heinous crime perpetrated on Mr. Bandaranaike.(Kelum Bandara and Kalathma Jayawardhane)

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Comments - 52

yahapala Thursday, 11 January 2018 07:43 PM

Clean your mud before slide mud for others.

GC Thursday, 11 January 2018 09:26 PM

Was he (BR) a member of the UNP in the past? Was it before or after Mrs B's civic rights were taken away?

Yehiya Friday, 12 January 2018 08:25 AM

Very shame family of political history of Sri Lanka.

Laughing out Loud Thursday, 11 January 2018 07:43 PM

You talking about morals ???? what a joke

Andy Capp Friday, 12 January 2018 09:00 AM

He is trying to boost his morale.

Saman Thursday, 11 January 2018 07:52 PM

... Oh wait a minute.. former President Mahinda Rajapaksa just kicked out from the presidency because he wanted to rule the country forever.

Buddhi Perera Thursday, 11 January 2018 07:57 PM

See, who is talking about MORALITY. Cannot they hire some outsider to talk about present government's mistakes. It is sickening to see and hear this bunch.

Dhammika Thursday, 11 January 2018 07:57 PM

Then making a THIRD term was a IMORAL act.

Wise Donkey Thursday, 11 January 2018 08:06 PM

But your brother can go on for any number of years. Didn't he find a way to go for the third term? If possible he will remain there like Mugabe util ousted.

sam Thursday, 11 January 2018 08:14 PM

You destroyed the image of MR and yet MR couldn't realize your intention. Pathetic.

Man Friday, 12 January 2018 08:48 AM

Did MR have any image other than that he saw in a mirror?

Citizen Thursday, 11 January 2018 08:17 PM

Don't you wish you could send him a 'white van'???

Asoka Thursday, 11 January 2018 08:19 PM

...and you have no right to talk about Sri Lanka affairs...

senaratne Thursday, 11 January 2018 08:22 PM

Basil..did you had a moral right to rob public money when you were in power?......

long memory Thursday, 11 January 2018 08:22 PM

Well your brother wanted to stay forever.

nalin Thursday, 11 January 2018 08:35 PM

Hold on Mr. 10%. The president simply asked the Supreme Court to give their interpretation and opinion which is the democratic way of handling issues. I remember one person who got rid of the Chief Justice and eliminated term limits so he himself and his family can rule forever. I wonder who that is Oh wait, wasnt that your brother? Where was the morality then? Out of country in US for so many years.. but have not learnt difference between democracy and tyranny.

Dhammika Friday, 12 January 2018 06:13 AM

Not 10 but 35 p.c.

karthik Thursday, 11 January 2018 08:54 PM

You well defend your former BOSS. MR went for election at the end of four years as he was so greedy for power and his real intention was to extend his term by another six years. He was fooled by his astrologer. So do not compare MR with MS.

Nihal Amarasekera Thursday, 11 January 2018 08:55 PM

Who is this man.

weera Friday, 12 January 2018 08:46 AM

He is famous Mr.10%US citizen who wants best of both worlds.

mike Thursday, 11 January 2018 09:04 PM

He is not a fool to leave the office before the time as done your beloved brother.This is why you left just after the election defeat, now talking big?

Aruna Thursday, 11 January 2018 09:09 PM

Its OK for incumbent president who came into power with no moral basis but on back stab Hoppers and Coffee concept unless voided by legislation.

Bala Thursday, 11 January 2018 09:32 PM

Harima ARUMA puduma kathawak eka. Kiyawanna anith aya kiyana dey.

Mandayan Thursday, 11 January 2018 09:11 PM

Why didn’t you advice your brother with the same and instead made him fail badly?

Mandy Thursday, 11 January 2018 09:35 PM

The fact that Basil can say these things and get away and the media help for it, shows how far the Sri Lanka moral values have deteriorated.

bombili Thursday, 11 January 2018 10:11 PM

BR the thief says that MR called election in 4 years,That is because he took the advice of Sumane who was on UNP payroll

Sincere Thursday, 11 January 2018 10:15 PM

What moral right your boss had to change the constitution and go for the 3rd term?

Dumal Thursday, 11 January 2018 10:23 PM

Get lost you FOREIGNER! BTW you need to learn your History. Prime Minister Bandaranaike was not killed by the UNP!!

Lankaputha Thursday, 11 January 2018 10:33 PM

Guess who is talking.Your brother and his gang wanted to stay longer to polish Sri Lanka but this misfired. MR is the one who brought this change.

Calistus Jayatilleke Friday, 12 January 2018 06:17 AM

Guess who is talking! A ex-UNPer and the brother of a man who wanted to rule the country for ever along with his family but failed miserably due to a mere astrologer. Talking of morals, my foot.

sobers Friday, 12 January 2018 08:03 AM

Stupid comment, President only wanted advice. Do not try to fool the people all the time. The public knows about your "Jil Marts".

Sambo Friday, 12 January 2018 08:55 AM

Please can you tell that to your brothers as well. He was trying to be the president for life. What do you have to say about that?

dulan Friday, 12 January 2018 09:12 AM

I too do not like Basil. But he has a point here. The 19th amendment clearly states the 5 yr limit is applicable to the current President too. 49(1)(b)

R K Friday, 12 January 2018 05:02 PM

I don't understand why the admin allowed this comment. Article 49 (1) b as quoted by the commenter , is non existent ! There is no clause 1 let alone section b for article 49, and in any case article 49 does not refer to the term of the president . Please clarify which article of the constitution you are referring to

KOLA KOTIYA Friday, 12 January 2018 09:17 AM

MAHINDA TRIED TO BE PRESEDENT FOR LIFE TIME N CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION. MS DIDNT DO LIKE THAT N HE REDUCE THE POWER. CANT U REMEMBER B..... ROUGH. U WORK FOR LATE GAMINI DISSANAYAKE N DRAWING A SAALRY OF 10000/ I N1970 NOW BIG SHARK. HOW DID U EARN SO MUCH.

Vipin B Friday, 12 January 2018 09:28 AM

What moral right do you have to rob the country to bankruptcy?

Gune Friday, 12 January 2018 09:30 AM

Can you explain the morality of your brother when he extended his term

Vipin B Friday, 12 January 2018 09:31 AM

What a shameless person? What about the morals followed by the previous administration loot the country, kill the journalists, manipulate the justice department, and suppress the press?

Dhanush Friday, 12 January 2018 09:36 AM

Anyways i appreciate your guts to show up your face in the public you guys robbed the nation and were trying to rob it for another six years....,!!!!!Ask your big brother why did he held the elections two years early.... If he cannot remember that I'll tell you it's because his astrologer told like that

weera Friday, 12 January 2018 09:54 AM

Mr.10% is talking about moral rights!!!

Suvine Friday, 12 January 2018 10:12 AM

Pot calling the kettle blackNo body requested former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to have elections after four years. He did so as he was greedy for power. Then you guys raised your hands for the 18th amendment where was morals then... Here is asking a question to be ready to relinquish power.

Druvi Friday, 12 January 2018 10:18 AM

HA HA HA HA Looks who is talking HA HA HA

PJ Friday, 12 January 2018 10:21 AM

This guy is talking about morals. What a joke.

voter Friday, 12 January 2018 10:25 AM

Basil talking about morals??? He should 1st refer the dictionary for the meaning of moral. Just coz his bro was greedy for power and went in for an early election disregarding all laid down laws and morals and then lost doesn't mean that every other person should follow hus stupid example. Here at-least, M3 asked for the AG opinion.

SAM Friday, 12 January 2018 10:45 AM

No problem. If election be called even now, you know what the result be.

srian Friday, 12 January 2018 12:49 PM

Thus spake the moral one!!!!!!!

Lakshman De Silva Friday, 12 January 2018 01:52 PM

Greed for power! President elect told the masses that he will not seek a second term but greed overcomes promises!

FRAUD MASTER.. Friday, 12 January 2018 02:34 PM

FIRST OF ALL THINK ABOUT YOURSELF DO YOU HAVE ANY MORALE RIGHT TO COMMENT. ON THIS SUBJECT MR. TEN PERCENT via DM Android App

AM Friday, 12 January 2018 04:25 PM

At one time this guy Basil wad a member of the UNP at that time he did not know what he is talking today. Basil please do not try to be the good guy and fool the masses. My version for you is "CROOK"

ananda Friday, 12 January 2018 04:45 PM

My dear Basil your brother Mahinda called for elections after 4 years to continue in office for the 3rd time if elected after completing the balance 2 years of the 2nd term. But he got chased out. via DM Android App

Palli Kanda Friday, 12 January 2018 06:03 PM

The scum of the earth and looks so innocent. Shame on you and our stupid voters still want to have him.

Lilantha Friday, 12 January 2018 07:48 PM

First of all you do not have morale right to talk , and be in politics

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President has no moral right to extend term of office: Basil

Comments - 52

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