PM Rajapaksa calls for holding of elections; says Speaker has misused his powers

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in his first address to Parliment as Prime Minister urged the house to consider holding of elections instead of dwelling on issues. He further said that they expect a speaker who is unbiased and that as of now the Speaker has misused his powers.

An extract from Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa's speech:

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse said that he had not seen a dark day as he did yesterday in Parliament. Mr Rajapaksa said up until October 26, the people were under extreme pressure. People were very disappointed by the fuel price formula, tax burden, and the sale of land to foreigners.

The President acted to dissolve the Economic Committee. It was during this period that a group of police officials in collaboration with a group of UNP members were trying to assassinate the President and the former Defence Secretary. Accordingly, the government decided to withdraw the UPFA from the government. Accordingly, the President invited me to take up the post of Prime Minister. Therefore, in order to avoid the probable calamity awaiting the country I decided to take it up as my responsibility to protect the country.

We called for an election as a joint opposition, but the government did not work towards it, even the provincial election was delayed.

The speaker brought a motion against me through a voice vote. According to the so-called No-confidence motion, certain ministers said that I was defeated by the former prime minister. The Speaker misuses his powers. I say that among the 225 here, let's move forward without dwelling on the issue.

I am happy that the JVP says it will support a proposal for a dissolution of Parliament  and holding of election. I'm suggesting that we go for an election.  I request the 225 members of the Parliament to join us.

The price of petrol will be reduced from today. I would like to say that we expect an unbiased speaker not one who supports an individual party.