President’s Policy Statement: ‘No One Above The Law’ (Except Daham)

MAY 8, 2018

President Maithripala Sirisena, delivering the policy statement at the inauguration of the new parliamentary session today said that the Unity Government had overcome to a great extent the challenge of restoring democracy and establishing the Rule of Law, despite the fact that justice has not been done to the victims of his son’s assault at a night club in December 2016.

On that occasion the President’s son Daham led a mob that included members of the Presidential Security Division (PSD) and went berserk at a night club, attacking a security guard and causing damage to property.

President Sirisena, in his lengthy policy statement outlined the achievements of the Unity Government since he made the first policy statement when the 8th Parliament was convened following the General Election in August 2015. He also acknowledged that there is still a lot of work to be done and hinted that the two major parties, the UNP and SLFP which had ‘different visions’ must learn to work better with one another.

Colombo Telegraph learns that the policy statement was drafted by Sirisena’s aide Shiral Lakthilaka and UPFA Parliamentarian Malith Jayatilleka. According to party sources, there is concern and dismay on the part of UNP leaders that Sirisena did not share the draft of the speech with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and did not solicit comments.

Honourable Speaker, Honourable Members of parliament,

As the President and Head of the Government of the people of Sri Lanka, I greet all of you at the opening of the Second Session of the 8th Parliament of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

You are aware that in accordance of the powers entrusted to me under the Clause 70 of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka I have issued the Extraordinary Gazette Notification on April 12, 2018 proroguing the First Session of the 8th Parliament. I wish to inform that the Second Session of the 8thParliament commences today in accordance with the Clause 70 and Clauses 32 and 33 of the Constitution. This is in fact closing of one session and commencing another session of the Parliament in accordance with the Parliamentary traditions of our country.

I wish to make this Statement as an extension of the Statement presented by me at the commencement of the First Session of the 8th Parliament.

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