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UPFA to Ranil: Vacate Temple Trees by 8 am today or else…
View(s):The United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA), yesterday, issued an ultimatum to ousted Prime Minister (PM) Ranil Wickremesinghe to vacate Temple Trees premises by 8 am today (28), or risk being forced out. National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader Wimal Weerawansa issued the ultimatum at a media briefing convened yesterday. Mr Weerawansa urged Mr Wickremesinghe to learn from the example set by former President and current PM Mahinda Rajapaksa, after his defeat at the January 8, 2015, Presidential Election.
UPFA and SLPP leaders addressing yesterday's news conference
He claimed, Mr Wickremesinghe had told Mr Rajapaksa that he would leave Temple Trees at 8 am on Saturday (27), but was still there. Mr Wickremesinghe should leave by 8 am, failing which, the law will have to be enforced to remove him, the NFF leader warned. Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) Leader Dinesh Gunawardena, meanwhile, insisted that President Maithripala Sirisena acted in accordance with the Constitution, when he removed Wickremesinghe from his position as PM. He noted that the Cabinet stood dissolved after the UPFA chose to leave the Unity Government and that, accordingly, the President had to form a new Government and appoint the person who enjoys the support of the majority of the MP’s in Parliament. He claimed, Mr Rajapaksa enjoyed the confidence of the majority of MPs in Parliament and that, Mr Wickremesinghe had no right to claim he continues to be PM.
Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) Leader Udaya Gammanpila said Mr Wickremesinghe was now holed up at Temple Trees with several hundred of his supporters, claiming his removal is unconstitutional. “If that is the case, then he should go before the Supreme Court to seek its interpretation on the Clauses used to remove him,” Mr Gammanpila said. If not, as Mr Wickremesinghe claims to have the people’s mandate, Mr Gammanpila challenged him to go for an election, to let the people decide whether they want Mahinda or Ranil as their PM.