RW calls for defeat of ‘Fascist’ takeover

• Has advised IGP and the tri-forces commanders to restore normalcy using emergency regulations
• Says move by those who want to tear down the constitution to grab power 

By Yohan Perera   

Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said that the ‘fascist’ political threat of taking over the country has to be defeated and he has advised security forces and the police to restore normalcy using emergency regulations and curfew.   

He said that some who want to tear down the constitution and do away with the Parliament are occupying the President’s House, Temple Trees and Presidential Secretariat destroying important documents there and therefore a committee comprising the head of the Security Council, the Commanders of the three armed forces and the IGP have been appointed to restore normalcy in the country.   

“Party Leaders met on Monday to discuss the situation arising after the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. We took a decision to hold the election next week and to provide security to the MPs. I gave an undertaking to stepdown from the Prime Minister post when an all party government is formed. Thereafter we dismissed after deciding to meet on Friday. In the meantime those who wanted to contest started discussing with other MPs to get their support. It was a democratic situation that was in the country. Yesterday President Gotabaya Rajapaksa left the country. He informed the Speaker that he would give the resignation letter and I was also informed of leaving the country.  “However, we were surprised by some of the information that had been received by the intelligence services that although we took steps to choose a new President some groups in the ‘Aragalaya’ wanted to seize the Prime Minster’s Office, to surround the Airforce Commander’s residence since he provided a plane to the President, and to surround the residences of the Army Commander and the Navy Commander. They wanted to seize power of the country by that. Also they had organized a move to surround the Parliament as well. Luckily the Speaker discussed with the Chief of Defence Staff and agreed to safeguard Parliament. Because of that they did not have an opportunity to come to Parliament today. The groups that came today are rioting around the Prime Minister’s Office. They do not have a reason to go to the Prime Minister’s Office. They want to prevent me from legally functioning as the Acting President and from working with the Speaker to select a new President. They want to select their own candidate. Some of them have said no need of the country’s constitution or the Parliament and to do what they say. It is the Parliament that exercises the sovereign rights of the people. We cannot tear down the constitution. Some said there is no need of a constitution. Then it is an unconstitutional act. They want to spread fascist politics in the country. Some of our traditional politicians have also joined with them. Therefore due to the situation that arose today, the security forces advised me to impose emergency regulations and a curfew. I have now acted accordingly. We have to defeat this fascist threat. We have to protect the houses of ordinary people. We cannot allow them to occupy the President’s House, the Temple Trees and the Presidential Secretariat by force and destroy documents that are there. Therefore I have instructed the security forces to use the emergency regulations and to bring back the country to normalcy.   

“For that a committee has been appointed with the head of the Security Council, the IGP and the commanders of the security forces with all powers. There is no political interference in that. I have instructed them to report to me once that task is achieved. I am asking all of you. This is your future. You have to protect the law and order for you and your children. Therefore give all support to the security forces and the police.”   RW calls for the defeat of ‘Fascist’ takeover.