Country belongs to people, not to its rulers: Cardinal

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By Nadeeka Daya Bandara   

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith who visited MP Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera during his fast unto death said the problem would not have blown out of proportion today if President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had acted against those who discreetly aided and abetted the terrorist attacks. 

“People have given a mandate to the President, the Prime Minister and the Cabinet to govern the country for five years.

 They had not been given a lifetime right to be in office. They have not been given the country on freehold basis. The country belongs to people, not to its rulers. The rulers should be mindful of it. The time has come to take a decision on the President and the Prime Minister,” he said.  

He said if it were the President and the Prime Minister who could appoint Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, then it was they who had the authority to remove him.