I Am Addressing You As PM Of Sri Lanka: Ranil Makes Confident Statement Despite Sirisena’s Sacking Letter

OCTOBER 26, 2018

Making a special statement to media from Temple Trees, the official residence of the Prime Minister, UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said he was still the Prime Minister of the country with a clear majority in Parliament.

Wickremesinghe

Wickremesinghe made the statement minutes after President Maithripala Sirisena sent him a letter, formally informing that the UNP leader has been sacked from the Prime Minister’s post.

“I am addressing you as the Prime Minister of the country. When a No-Confidence Motion was presented against me, I showed I commanded the support of a majority in Parliament. I still command the same support in the House,” Wickremesinghe said, speaking to media.

“Parliament will decide who the legitimate Prime Minister is. The Speaker will convene Parliament according to Standing Orders. We will resolve this matter in Parliament,” Wickremesinghe said ruling out the possibility of seeking the opinion of the judiciary.

Wickremesinghe reiterated that everyone who supported during the No-Confidence vote still stood by him.

“Convene Parliament. You will see the support have,” he said confidently, stating that he had discussed the current situation with other political parties.

Finance and Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera, speaking to media after Wickremesinghe, requested the Speaker to convene Parliament even on Sunday, to allow the UNP to show its majority.

Co-Cabinet Spokesman Rajitha Senaratne, speaking at the same press conference, requested the military and the Police to work with the duly appointed legitimate government to maintain law and order.

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