UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday expressed confidence that President Maithripala Sirisena will be flexible in his stance in order to protect the Constitution and democracy in the country.
Premadasa pointed out that President Sirisena who was earlier adamant in proroguing Parliament until the UPFA proves its majority, later stated that he shall not prorogue Parliament.
In answer to a question on President Sirisena’s refusal to re-appoint Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Prime Minister, Premadasa pointed out that “Many of the Pohottuwa supporters requested the President to keep proroguing Parliament but President Sirisena flatly refused it.
“I believe, given the situation, it was an excellent decision.
I firmly believe that President would change his stance with regards to some other statements he has made as well,” Premadasa said.
Premadasa urged the UPFA to step down and let the party that commands the majority of the House take over the Government to end the Constitutional crisis.
He also said that Dr.Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa and Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thero too expressed the importance of allowing the majority to form a government. Addressing a press conference at the Parliamentary complex yesterday, Premadasa questioned if the UPFA MPs have no shame to claim that they are the ruling party when they have already been defeated five times in the House as at yesterday.
“They don’t have at least 85 lawmakers to support them in Parliament. With today’s motion, it is time they face the reality and step down to make room for the Constitution to take its course,” said Premadasa.
Premadasa also requested the government servants to consider the present situation and act according to the Constitution without bowing down to the purported government.
Asked if three names were suggested in the UNP group meetings as possible persons to hold the Prime Minister portfolio, Premadasa denied it. “Who said about three people? There is no such thing as that.
“There is only one name and that is what we are proposing. That is Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was and is the democratically elected Prime Minister,” he said.
Speaking on the recent statement by UNP MP Harin Fernando in relation to the same matter, Premadasa pointed out that Fernando was not talking about the present situation. “He was talking about a General Election. He was not referring to the present situation that we are in. The UNP will decide who would be our next candidate at a General Election when the time comes,” he furthered.
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