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Last Updated : 2024-05-26 22:43:00
24 June 2023 09:10 am - 33 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
In what appeared to be a dramatic turn of events related to the regime change after Galle Face Aragalaya, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said he was pressurised to resign from his then post of premiership on the day after his house was set ablaze by angry mobs at the instigation of what he called ‘ a media outlet’.
His remarks have sparked a controversy now with people wondering who applied Wickremsinghe to step down from premiership at that riotous moment with the activists of Aragalaya going berserk demanding a change of the government. The President even said there was a request for Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane to take over as provided for by the Constitution.
Controversy swirls around such utterances by the President at the function to mark the 40th anniversary of the International Democrats Union (IDU) in London because they were made in the backdrop against an investigative book published by National Freedom Front (NFF) leader MP Wimal Weerawansa with a host of allegations related to the alleged external involvement in domestic affairs at that time.
At the launch of his book at a well-attended function, Mr. Weerawansa alleged that the US and Indian governments appealed to then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, on his flight for safety, to sack Mr. Wickremesinghe from premiership. At that moment, Secretary to the President Gamini Senarath sent two letters, but Mr. Rajapaksa signed his letter of resignation only.
As a result, Mr. Weerawansa claimed US Ambassador Julie Chung personally called on Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena at the Speaker’s official residence and urged him to take over as Acting President.
Mr. Weerawansa said the speaker refused to take over saying the prime minister would succeed in the event of the president’s resignation.
The US ambassador immediately denied allegations made in the book by Mr. Weerawansa.
In a Twitter message, she said, “I am disappointed that an MP has made baseless allegations and spread outright lies in a book that should be labeled ‘fiction’. For 75 years, the US [and Sri Lanka] have shared commitments to democracy, sovereignty, and prosperity – a partnership and future we continue to build together,” Nevertheless, the President has now said that there was pressure for him to resign making way for the speaker to take over.
It is wondered whether the President’s remarks are an attestation of what is mentioned in Mr. Weerawansa’s book.
The President, in his remarks, said the protestors managed to bring a considerable number of people to Colombo and invaded the President’s House compelling his predecessor to flee to the harbour and in 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,” he said. (Kelum Bandara)
Visaka Saturday, 24 June 2023 09:36 AM
Disolve this parliament immediately without pressuring people anymore. Only a new mandate with the international support can make the way forward.
Jayantha Saturday, 24 June 2023 09:39 AM
Lol. He may have planned everything by himself to become the head of state when people never voted him at PE and kicked him out at last general election
Amal Fernando Saturday, 24 June 2023 10:25 AM
You will be sent home by people through the ballot at the appropriate time. Till then enjoy
Waiting until he fails to be elected as President by the public is rather weak Sunday, 25 June 2023 06:52 PM
Till then he defiles the nation, and most are content to see his and the 225s continued abuse and degradation of our country.
Edwin Saturday, 24 June 2023 10:33 AM
Good question! Were any foreign diplomatic missions involved? Was it a part of a grander plot to further destabilize the country? Some other countries too have previously handed over to their speaker. What ever said and done and personalities aside, we need to be very thankful that the then prime minister and the speaker did not succumb to these pressures and sinister plans. Just shudder to think what may have been the situation if they had not.
Daya weerasinghe Saturday, 24 June 2023 10:58 AM
If not for Ranil we may still be fighting in ques to get the essentials.
Wormwood Saturday, 24 June 2023 11:03 AM
Hollywood, Bollywood or plywood drama ??
Aquarius Saturday, 24 June 2023 11:30 AM
Allegations can always lead to mistrust and confusion unless proved. May be Mr. Speaker can confirm if he had any visits as mentioned by the guy with an international conspiracy phobia.
Ah Saturday, 24 June 2023 11:54 AM
What illogical comments ungrateful people make today. This is despite RW and govt trying to stabilise the country. We are better off from what we are but worse off for anti govt and those who want to criticise all the time. These guys should leave for the country to develop. This will not account for brain drain but GROBR
Aragalaya Saturday, 24 June 2023 12:12 PM
You are NOT a President elected by the people. You were propelled to Presidency by the corrupt lot probably with an assurance that the corrupt would be saved who would have been otherwise arrested by now. Who pressured you to resign is irrelevant. Since you couldn't even WIN YOUR OWN SEAT such pressuring is commendable and you should have resigned and let people elect their preferred leader. That's the naked truth.
Jayampathi Saturday, 24 June 2023 12:12 PM
Though RW got no mandate to be the head of the state, he has been elected PM several times. Rajapakshas and pohottuwa fully responsible for his appointment, even if as said that RW's lobby was also behind the Aragalaya. RW has done something to solve shortage issues. Now people have to wisely elect their Reps. President must stop doing party politics.
Disgrace to Alma mater Saturday, 24 June 2023 12:16 PM
This is disgraceful = Being a Royalist he should have resigned immediately. Now Mr. Lemon Puff is writing fiction to be in the lime light and gain prominence amongst his foolish supporters.
Sunil Saturday, 24 June 2023 12:37 PM
What ever happened, it had been for the eternal detriment of the nation.
ROSH Saturday, 24 June 2023 12:54 PM
I am sure unelected master debater always under pressure. He needs to hold presidential erection before he becomes immortal. Please make sure we elect young educated leader who can run the country
Truth First Saturday, 24 June 2023 12:56 PM
How right Wimal talking without fear. All here criticized him to put him down. Ranil should appoint Wimal as a Minister ,we need MPs
Congrats Ranil Saturday, 24 June 2023 01:05 PM
Let’s tell the truth without bias though I never like him, Ranil looks more stately
Jega Saturday, 24 June 2023 01:43 PM
I think the same forces wanted destabilize the country are making comments against RW. Just name one person who can run this country better than RW. You can' find. Therefore don't tell he does not have mandate of people. if you speak about mandate bring GOTA once again. We don't care who has mandate and who does not have it. Just support the man who can save us.
Jayampathi Saturday, 24 June 2023 01:44 PM
This is SL state of the art politics. Everybody in parliament and all who lost the seat in last election, mainly responsible for the grave situation, always blaming each other. Their politics won't solve peoples problems. Wimal and all other so called patriots trying to secure a future for them. Elections alone never a solution without a decent constitution. President knows this and he must take steps , as a political veteran to avoid, patriotic extriemists(who have already ruined the country afetr the war victory) and separatists(Diaspora) exploiting the situ.
Cherath Saturday, 24 June 2023 01:58 PM
'..BEING CLUELESS WHAT TO DO' Ranil spends his time cooking up fables to draw and distract foreigners and locals who are still waiting for his first constructive step. When he's not doing that, he addresses the Parliament and People with a sackload of meaningless rhetoric on impending gloom but nowhere on solutions, with none able to interrupt!
Future plan Saturday, 24 June 2023 02:03 PM
Weerawansa deserves a lot of credit. Now that both are on one plane, Ranil should invite him
Tisahamy Saturday, 24 June 2023 02:26 PM
Is this the biggest problem at this time? Diversionary tactics of a vastly unpopular government.
Lanka putha Saturday, 24 June 2023 04:53 PM
Good teli drama. Better than paradege
Lost Lankan Saturday, 24 June 2023 05:08 PM
We as Sri Lankans have little or NO gratitude to any leaders brought in good deeds for the country. With a loss or short memory, people had forgotten the crisis they faced, loss of lives, starvation etc. Today we have time to debate all bad things forgetting all good deeds around us. Surely our idiots will vote in all corrupt MPs again and again.
Tissa Fernando Saturday, 24 June 2023 05:50 PM
Ranil was helping the Aragalaya when Gota was President and then when he became the President, the Aragalaya disappeared mysteriously. Was the Aragalaya done by people because of Gas , Fuel queues only? It appears so as the corruption and robbing continues at the same scale.
There is corruption, but that's the culture, however Sunday, 25 June 2023 06:48 PM
Your ideas seem like a mad conspiracy theory. Are you sure you live in Sri Lanka, or have you lost your mind in the clouds?
ANNECUNT Saturday, 24 June 2023 06:06 PM
Dont even think of slpp or rajapaksa family, our children will be begging on streets
Gorun Saturday, 24 June 2023 06:35 PM
Ranil is not a deserving person to lead the nation as he was rejected by the people's mandate losing every province, district, and electorate.
Iqbal Saturday, 24 June 2023 06:48 PM
The speaker is a very strong Rajapaksa supporter. That's the very reason why they voted him to become the Speaker. Why would Julie want him to be the president instead of RW? Makes no sense.
Buddhist Saturday, 24 June 2023 07:30 PM
Does this mean that Ranil is the one who tipped off Weerawansa about the resignation request? Which means Ranil and Weerawansa are working together. There have been rumors before that Ranil was helping Weerawansa, and now with Weerawansa's cases getting postponed every day it is possible Ranil and Weerawansa are in one team and so is Mahinda a member of the same team. Weerawansa - Ranil - Gammanpilla and Weerawansa will join hands soon.
Demuni de Silva Sunday, 25 June 2023 06:31 AM
Its repercussions we experience today !
Ranil wants to be untouchable like the so called glorious leader of North Korea Sunday, 25 June 2023 06:51 PM
The 225 want to see themselves even if well past their mandate as rightfully elected yesterday. Ranil, who didn't even win a seat seems to have a delusion he might be remembered well, and respected. Maybe he imagines Sri Lankans like the North Koreans are trained or brain washed to speak of the leader there as infallible and as glorious.
RR Sunday, 25 June 2023 08:26 PM
THIS DRAMA ENDS IN TRAGEDY. THIS IS A BLUFF BY THE MASTER OF DRAMA
Rathnavali Sunday, 25 June 2023 10:36 PM
This country was on the verge of collapse and international hidden hands were trying to take control and bring a controllable puppet regime as they have done in South America. Let RW continue as we are now out of the woods and he has shown that he is a capable leader. Those who speak about peoples' mandate should recall that it was the peoples' mandate which brought Gota and set the stage of bankruptcy. Better a known devil than an unknown angel!
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