I AM STILL THE PM
Responding to the latest development where former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was sworn in as Prime Minister by President Maithripala Sirisena, United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe also said that he was Constitutionally still the Prime Minister of the country.
He further said that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s swearing in as the Prime Minister was illegal. Mr. Wickremesinghe stated that he would prove that he commanded the confidence of the majority of members of Parliament.
Speaking to the media at Temple Trees after a meeting with the UNP Parliamentarians Mr. Wickremesinghe said it was the Parliament that should decide who the Prime Minister is. “Everybody should respect the decision of the Parliament. Under the 19th Amendment Parliament is above all,” he added.
He stated that according to the Constitution, the Parliament member who commands the confidence of the Parliament is the Prime Minister and he had proved that he commanded the confidence of the parliament at the no confidence against him in April this year. “Still we have that majority,” Mr. Wickremesinghe said.
If anybody could prove that he commands the majority in Parliament, I will resign” Mr. Wickremesinghe said.
Jathika Hela Urumaya leader Champika Ranawaka who also participated at the UNP Parliamentarians’ meeting said that they will give priority to strengthen the stability of the government.
He also said everything will be decided by the Parliament hence, they have requested the Speaker to immediately convene Parliament.
Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka said that the UNP had still 107 members in Parliament.
Meanwhile, minister Mangala Samaraweera also said in a tweet that the swearing in by the former president was unconstitutional.