I was asked to step down after my house was set on fire: Prez

Says there was a request for the speaker to take over

23 June 2023 06:03 am - 29 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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President Ranil Wickremsinghe said he was asked to step down on the day following his house being set on fire at the instigation of certain media outlets.

He said there we also a request for the Speaker to take over as the President. However he said he stood firm and did not resign.

“On July 9, a group of organizers managed to gather a significant number of people in Colombo, something unprecedented in scale. Shockingly, these protesters went on to invade the official residence of the President. Faced with this unexpected threat, the President had to flee to the harbor and board a ship belonging to the Sri Lankan Navy. Later that afternoon, party leaders convened a meeting, during which they demanded the President's resignation and proposed that I assume the role of acting President. However, the opposition insisted that I should also resign. I stood firm and reminded them that according to the constitution, a person with a majority vote in parliament must be found before I could resign. Meanwhile, urged by some media outlets, the protesters targeted my house and set it on fire, assuming I would be compelled to leave. However, I remained steadfast and refused to back down,” the President said.

“The following day, I was asked to resign, while some others advocated for the Speaker to take over. However, both propositions were rejected. I maintained my position and refused to resign. On Monday, with the cabinet assembled, we held a televised meeting, while the President had already left the country for the Maldives. Meanwhile, the protesters resolved to seize the Prime Minister's office and take control of Parliament. Two days later, a fierce battle ensued outside the Prime Minister's office despite the escalating situation, I refrained from ordering the use of firearms. Eventually, the protesters managed to break into the Prime Minister's office, with the military accompanying them. In the afternoon, they began marching towards Parliament. I instructed the Chief of Defense to issue a statement, emphasizing that the protesters must not take over Parliament. The opposition leader supported this stance. I then directed the army commander, reminding him of his responsibility to protect the parliamentary building. Remarkably, the unarmed battalion successfully managed to quell the protests, but unfortunately, 24 soldiers were injured in the process,” he added

When the time came for the election of the new President the circumstances were quite peculiar. On one side, there was the government party led by the Rajapaksa clan, whom we were opposed to, and on the other side, there was the opposition. Surprisingly, I discovered that I had support from both the government party and the opposition, and they urged me to contest the election. Responding to their call, I entered the race and emerged victorious, winning by a margin of 135 votes.

Comments - 29

Lion Friday, 23 June 2023 06:53 AM

Boy that request is still there . Hold the election then you will see stars

Sunil Friday, 23 June 2023 07:09 AM

You know very well that you have no mandate from the people even to become an MP after gaining just over 30,000 votes from the entire district of Colombo. Hold any elections, at least the ones that are long overdue, and the people will ask you to get out, without any doubt. What you have done so far is to appoint some of your stooges to high posts for which they are highly incompetent and suppress people's democratic rights in a most horrendous manner.

Sivalingam Friday, 23 June 2023 07:17 AM

Margin of 135 votes or a total ?

Tissa Fernando Friday, 23 June 2023 07:44 AM

Sirasa was instrumental in the media campaign and everyone knows about it. Most of youth who participated in their reality programs have got addicted to drugs.

VJ Friday, 23 June 2023 08:24 AM

Why not, you would not have won a presidential election anyway. This was your chance to become the president, why would you miss the opportunity? The SLPP supported you for their own benefits only.

Jude Friday, 23 June 2023 08:24 AM

RANIL your party down to one MP and you know people overwhelmingly rejected you and the GOP. you became the president due to weak constitution that made mockery of democracy!! You're are postponing Elections claiming that gov't have no money to conduct any elections. However, you cannot deny the inevitable, yeah NPP gonna form the next government!!

Jude Friday, 23 June 2023 08:27 AM

RANIL how long you're gonna postpone elections!!???

joshua Friday, 23 June 2023 08:37 AM

Yeah, you will never leave.

Nm Friday, 23 June 2023 08:49 AM

Hats off to a great man who rose like a Phoenix.

The discipline saved us. So don't jump now Friday, 23 June 2023 09:22 AM

Today we find a lot of names staking claim to lead the country in calm waters. These same aspirants were laying bogus conditions to avoid taking over responsibility when there was a vacuum. We know all those names and their present position. We should be thankful that the military did not stake a claim. If that had happened, we will be another country under military rule. The discipline rescued all of us. Greedy politicians! Don't cross your limit.

Amal Fernando Friday, 23 June 2023 09:24 AM

What a fairytale. Please seek the mandate of the people and then speak.

mohan mendis Friday, 23 June 2023 09:39 AM

So brilliant once again great patriot WimalW's allegations against $ funded aragalayas agenda is proven as part of SL's black july '23 ironically UNP's black july'83 too is historicaly proves majority modayas cannot have brains even after next 75 years (DM have a backbone to publish my freedom to express the bitter truth!!)

Sunil Friday, 23 June 2023 09:39 AM

We sympathise with Mr Wickremasinghe for the loss of his house and more importantly the loss of valuable 3000 books most probably inherited from his illustrious grandfather D R Wijewardena.We condemn the media outlet that instigated this carnage and they should be named shamed and punished by the due process for committing this heinous crime if actually proved,

Wera Friday, 23 June 2023 09:44 AM

The best thing that ever happened.

Mahinda R Friday, 23 June 2023 10:08 AM

Winning by a margin of 135 votes??? Leader of one of the strongest political parties, who couldn't win a single seat in the country, appointed through the backdoor using a loophole in the constitution. Most probably this happened only because there was an agreement to protect the corrupt. If you had resigned you could have died one day with your self respect in tact. But now????

Kamal Cooray Friday, 23 June 2023 10:33 AM

You are a great traitor to this country. You and your henchman have runed this country for many generations. Is this the contract Kuwani gave you.

Charles Jansz. Friday, 23 June 2023 10:58 AM

135 or 134 who have lost the mandate anyway so nothing to gloat over ! This was the back door - test the will of people without vain excuses !

Anthony. R Friday, 23 June 2023 12:48 PM

He knew very well, that he will never have the mandate to be the President or P.M, and grabbed this opertunity to be the Prez,with just 135 votes of the ruling party in house.and now it's a fairytale. Hold the election,now. It will show where he and his Stooges stand.

Jayapala Attanagodage Friday, 23 June 2023 01:25 PM

A man came came from nowhere, refused by public now talking nonsense with mad (Pissu) mouth! When do you want to leave this Pin Position given by Myna and handover to the public of SL to preserve democracy!1

RR Friday, 23 June 2023 02:45 PM

RANIL, YOU DID NOT WANT TO LEAVE THE LEADERSHIP OF UNP. WILL YOU EVER LEAVE YOUR PRESENT POSITION WHEN YOU GOT IT ON A PLATTER EVEN WITHOUT A MANDATE

Cheers Friday, 23 June 2023 03:12 PM

Protesters and the opposition including tamils and Muslims instigated this. Democratically elected president was sent home. I am blaming him now for not using force on these fellows without resigning and he left in a gentleman way but his resignation did not resolve the issue

ROSH Friday, 23 June 2023 04:46 PM

Unelected master debating president always looking for opportunity to make statements about his account and survival. Please stop master bating in front of the parliament please hold presidential erection

ROSH Friday, 23 June 2023 05:37 PM

Unelected master debating master bater needs to be master debated in front of the parliament before becoming immortal

Helanka Friday, 23 June 2023 05:52 PM

So far you have done a good job in stabilizing the economy and country from what it was, job well done is too small a compliment compared to others who ran this country before you....but just get hold of the crime rate also.

Amaris Singho Friday, 23 June 2023 08:07 PM

The President is making these revelations after going out of the country ! Why didn't he say these things in Sri Lanka ?

Buddhist Friday, 23 June 2023 08:47 PM

Even if we agree that Ranil was right in not resigning, what can he say about the illegal State Terrorism Arrests and the Judiciary giving conflicting judgments on bias basis?

Jayantha Friday, 23 June 2023 10:05 PM

You will go to history as The guy who came forward to protect corrupted family and who destroyed a grand old party. People hate you and probably you will suffer for what you have done sooner or later

Bayya Saturday, 24 June 2023 07:48 AM

People are talking about socalled mandate. We gave clear and convincing mandates to mahinda, sirisena and gota. You know what happened. He brought the country from dark to atleast some glimpse of hope. He should be allowed to rule for a few years for the betterment of our future generation

Karunapala Maddumage Saturday, 24 June 2023 04:13 PM

These statements are good for Angodayas and Myna group! Now 99% people wants you to get out! You are?

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I was asked to step down after my house was set on fire: Prez

Says there was a request for the speaker to take over

Comments - 29

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