News
Ranil stands firm as PM
View(s):Prime Minister (PM) Ranil Wickremesinghe reiterated yesterday that he remains the duly appointed Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. Flanked by leaders of the constituent parties that make up the United National Front (UNF), PM Wickremesinghe remained defiant, a day after he was removed from office by President Maithripala Sirisena, saying that, under the Constitution, it is the person who commands the majority in Parliament who is the PM. “By defeating the ‘No-Confidence’ motion against me, I have proven I have the majority,” he said.
Premier Wickremesinghe flanked by UNF leaders addresses the news conference yesterday at Temple Trees
In April this year, a ‘No-Confidence’ motion against him was defeated with 122 MPs voting against it. Mr Wickremesinghe said there is no need to create a crisis within the country during difficult times, as the matter can be solved through a Parliamentary sitting where the PM, who has a majority, can prove himself and remain PM according to the constitution. “We don’t need to make life hard for the people who are already facing hardships; life is a battle we don’t need to make it worse; we have to create a normal situation”, he said.
He said that, if there is any crisis, they will be able to resolve it. Mr Wickremesinghe urged that Parliament be immediately called for sittings and to choose the person with majority support, according to Clause 42, rather than create and extend a crisis. “I can assure that I have the majority, as I have the support of the United National Front,” he declared.
Several members of the constituent parties, including MPs Mano Ganeshan, Rishad Bathiudeen, Rauff Hakeen and P. Digambaram who were present, also pledged their support to Mr Wickremesinghe.