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Premiership given to Ranil to respect democracy - Prez

16 December 2018 11:59 pm - 25     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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President Maithripala Sirisena, in his address after swearing in Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe as the new premier, said that he had decided to reappoint UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Prime Minister only because he respected parliamentary traditions.

Otherwise, he said he still remained firm in his stance that Mr. Wickremesinghe should not be given the premiership again even if all 225 MPs voted in favour of him.

 

Full Statement:

I made a statement that I will not give Ranil Wickremesinghe the post of Prime Minister even if a request is made by all the 225 Parliamentarians and it is my own personal political opinion, and my view is still the same, but I have decided to invite Ranil Wickremesinghe as I am a leader, who respects parliamentary tradition and democracy, said President Maithripala Sirisena.

The President made these observations addressing the new Prime Minister and members of the United National Front at the Presidential Secretariat this (16) morning, the swearing in of the new Prime Minister.

According to the constitution, the parliament or the judiciary do not have the authority to nominate a Prime Minister, the President said and added that the executive power is in the hands of the President. However, I decided to appoint Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Prime Minister when 117 MPs extended support to him and I agreed to their decision as a leader who respected the moral and parliamentary tradition, said President Sirisena.

The President said that he took all the steps, including the dissolution of the Parliament, prorogue the Parliament, remove the Prime Minister and the appointment of a new Prime Minister, not according to his sole discretion, but after receiving the advices of legal experts, and further said that those steps were taken for the betterment of the country and there was no intention to violate the constitution of the country.  

He said that he believed the best solution for the current political turmoil was to go for an election and seek the opinion of the people as the opinion of 15.5 million voters in the country is a more powerful indicator and the epitome of democracy and it is much stronger than the opinion of 122 Members of Parliament. Hence he issued the gazette notification to dissolve Parliament and call for elections, he said.

Even though establishing independent commissions through 19th amendment was a good thing, but on the other hand it has resulted in a political turmoil said the President. He added that postponing the amendment to the Act  related to Commission of Bribery and Corruption for  punishing those who are guilty of the treasury bond scam and to recover stolen money, not allocating ministerial portfolios under a scientific method although it was a campaign promise, the massive fraud in the Central Bank bond issue, losing the support of the Bhikku society, imprisoning soldiers and other short sighted activities were carried on in this government for the past four years where he was thoroughly dissatisfied. He said that all these had impacted severely on the decision taken on the political arena lately.

whichever the accusation may be upon him he has taken decisions on behalf of the country and the people said the President. Some says that an impeachment motion will be taken against him, he pointed out and said that even he was imprisoned he would continue to work and take decisions with pure thoughts on behalf of the country and the people and it will be written in the history in gold.  

The President, recalling statements made by some speakers recently that he will be killed like Gaddafi by dragging away said that, no one had made such statements for any leader since the era of  J.R. Jayewardene, who was a tough leader, the reason behind this was, if such statement was made, persons who are making those statements knew the depressing fate that they have to face, and he further said that those persons made such statements against him as a result of freedom and democracy he had established in the country.                   

President Sirisena further said that his expectation is to take forward the activities of the government without any conflict, and further said that creating of conflicts will prevent the progress of the country and said that to build the country for the future, a political movement free from corruption is needed in the country.

The President also said that the good governance concept, which was not succeeded and it totally destroyed and that could be achieved only through a  political movement which loves the motherland, and know the significance of the local culture and core values of the society.

Later, Mr. Sajith Premadasa, addressing the gathering said that his group, including the UNP will not take actions at any time to bring an impeachment motion against the President, and their expectation  is to take forward the activities of the government in collaboration with the President.

 


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  Comments - 25

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  • Nimal Monday, 17 December 2018 08:24 AM

    If giving the premiership to Ranil is respecting the democracy how do you describe taking it away from Ranil?

    channa Monday, 17 December 2018 09:21 AM

    why didn't you respect democracy and parliament traditions for 51 days and created all these unwanted problems.

    ĺmazu Monday, 17 December 2018 08:25 AM

    Then you have no idea of eating Aappa with him.

    Thomas Monday, 17 December 2018 08:29 AM

    WHAT A SHAME PRESIDENTReally you need a full Medical Checkup

    channa Monday, 17 December 2018 09:22 AM

    sirisena speak foolishly but act wisely.

    Sirippu varukuthu Monday, 17 December 2018 12:38 PM

    @channa: perfectly concluded

    Premalal Monday, 17 December 2018 08:31 AM

    It was taken away form him also to respect democracy.

    Saradiel Monday, 17 December 2018 08:32 AM

    Good. You are the president still. Have the powers and authority to control the cabinet including PM if they are doing the wrong thing. If they don't listen, come open to the nation. If you keep quiet and later on say that you didn't know, that's useless and no one will believe you. Show us that you are a right thinking strong leader and not an opportunist.

    TELL THE MARINES Monday, 17 December 2018 08:32 AM

    All what we can say to you is "PLEASE THINK BEFORE YOU PUT YOUR BIG FOOT IN " - especially when you speak to UN representatives and outsiders. You can speak what ever you like to us - Sri Lankans - because we are used to such illogical speeches and know very well that we can expect politicos going back on promises. eg your announcement that you will resign if RW is appointed - wonder what concocted explanation you will have on this matter.

    Kingsley Wijesinhe Monday, 17 December 2018 08:32 AM

    He seems to have forgotten that he also said some time ago that if Ranil becomes Prime Minister again, he would resign from the Presidency within one hour. Among his other talents, he seems to be very good at selective amnesia.

    sunil Monday, 17 December 2018 08:39 AM

    We can remember that the word I will not appoint RW again as a PM.

    TJ Monday, 17 December 2018 08:43 AM

    Premiership to Ranil is his constitutional right not your charity or donation

    PEOPLE ARE FED-UP Monday, 17 December 2018 08:45 AM

    DON'T MESS UP ANY MORE. WE ARE ENOUGH OF YOUR FANCIES.

    Dee Monday, 17 December 2018 08:49 AM

    So! Do you accept that dissolving the parliament was an act of disrespect for democracy?

    BuffaloaCitizen Monday, 17 December 2018 09:34 AM

    His speech is an absolute disgrace. Buddhist Priests Jailed -> any citizen whether Priest, Minister, rich man, poor man if he commits criminal acts will face the rule of law. Armed Forces Persons Jailed -> a minority in the armed forces committed dastardly criminal acts on support of Politicians bringing disgrace to majority of the disciplined armed forces. Thus it is extremely important those criminals are identified including those Politicians who backed them and punish.

    kudson Monday, 17 December 2018 09:17 AM

    you have become a disease to this nationyou and ranil should retire from politicsand go to a retirement home

    roger 54 Monday, 17 December 2018 09:20 AM

    one has to be careful as to what one says.i don"t think its democracy that was the primary reason but you had no choice. please dont try to cover up. please take action even against the pm if he is guilty dont give excuses

    Neil Monday, 17 December 2018 09:32 AM

    Dear Mr. President, Please keep your filthy mouth shut. Every time you open it, you expose yourself.

    mental Monday, 17 December 2018 12:05 PM

    Mr President... No need to state the reason since no one asked why?Psychos are also humans

    Vas Monday, 17 December 2018 12:14 PM

    Prez says there are corrupt MPs in UNP but only recently he said MR was going to kill him and MRs family had committed fraud and murders. It's looking like a big joke. Poor people of Srilanka to have these leaders to look after their interests.

    Cluless Monday, 17 December 2018 01:15 PM

    No the president got cornered and had no option. He badly underestimated Ranil.

    SL Monday, 17 December 2018 01:28 PM

    Merry Christmas President!

    Samitha Monday, 17 December 2018 01:35 PM

    We never trust you anymore.

    Emote Tuesday, 18 December 2018 10:41 AM

    Better late than never Prez!

    p nonis Tuesday, 18 December 2018 06:25 PM

    Mr President do not ever attempt to contest again for presidency. No body will ever vote for you, after the havoc you played, by sacking a democratically elected party and its prime minister.and reappointing another prime minister a cabinet and ministers.If not for the judiciary you would have not stopped at anything having your childish play which brought a very heavy loss to the country.


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