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Second swearing-in ceremony of the President
‘I had to show the country I was not disabled’- CBK
The following is the text of the answers given by President Chandrika Kumaratunga in response to questions posed during the interview to the ITN on Tuesday night regarding the second swearing-in ceremony of the President.

Q: In regard to a swearing-in ceremony which received much publicity after a particular newspaper highlighted it, the newspaper even went to the extent of saying that your Excellency is silent on the issue.
A: I did take oaths on two occasions. The first time I took oaths was when I got injured in the bomb blast.

People like Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Desmond Fernando who is associated with the UNF made a statement saying that Chandrika is not in her senses, she is disabled and she cannot be the President and wanted the Chief Justice to announce that I will be removed from the post.

However, I was conscious although I was injured. I was advised by my legal advisors to take oaths and show the country that I am not disabled, and I can hold office. They also said that it was not official. I did it to calm the people who had got on to the streets after the bomb blast.

The people were so angry they were threatening to kill all Tamil people and UNPers, specially in Colombo and Gampaha. I was not all that conscious, I had no strength but I called my secretary and wanted him to tell the people that I am fine. This was while doctors were debating whether I will come through at all. After that I thought people will not believe me if they don't see me as the UNP had already spread rumours that I was dead.

Then I appealed to the people to go to their respective places of religious worship and pray for me. This was to calm them. It was at that time that I was told to take oaths as people still didn't believe that I was alright. So I took my oaths. I never thought much of it. Two hours after the ceremony I was taken to London for further treatment. Even on that day I was told that although the ceremony was held just to calm the people I have to do it properly in 2000.

I took oaths in this room. It was not done secretly, there was no need for secrecy. The first time I took oaths it was done on a grand scale, my speech received wide publicity both locally and internationally, so there was no need to make another speech. My secretary was there, the Chief Justice, and another who is very close, Mr. Lakshman Kadirgamar. I had another meeting with him so I invited him to be there.

Q: So you say that ceremony was the legal official one ?
A: There was a lot of debate in the media after the oaths ceremony in December 1999, saying it was illegal and the President cannot hold office if she does not take oaths in 2000, which is true. If I did not take oaths in 2000, I won't be able to hold office today. Because I took oaths in 2000 I can go on till 2006. Some in the Government want to become the President in 2005, so they don't mind if the country is ruined.

It is a problem for them because my term has been extended from 2005 to 2006. I am the one who will decide when to go. It is I who will decide whether I will stay on till 2006.I have no intention of staying that long in this dirty game of politics.

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