I will never appoint Ranil as PM again – President
President Maithripala Sirisena on Sunday (25) vowed to never to reappoint Ranil Wickremesinghe as prime minister again, reports foreign media.
Mr Wickremesinghe’s party has a majority in parliament and Mr Sirisena’s bid to replace him with the country’s former strongman Mahinda Rajapakse has already failed.
But Mr Sirisena choked back tears in a meeting with foreign correspondents as he accused Mr Wickremesinghe, who he sacked on Oct 26, of being “highly corrupt”.
“Even if the UNP has the majority I told them not to bring Ranil Wickremesinghe before me, I will not make him prime minister,” he said, referring to Mr Wickremesinghe’s United National Party.
“Not in my lifetime,” he added in comments that the UNP said showed the president uses Sri Lanka like his own “private coconut estate”.
SEE ALSO: Sri Lanka state banks to borrow up to US$1b abroad before end of 2018
Mr Sirisena dismissed Mr Wickremesinghe following a host of personality and political clashes since they formed a coalition in 2015.
He named Mr Rajapakse as new premier and tried to dissolve parliament but the Supreme Court and legislators blocked the moves.
Mr Wickremesinghe, who continues to occupy the prime minister’s residence, and Mr Rajapakse, who has the premier’s official offices, have both refused to back down.
That has left the country officially without a prime minister, heightening international fears about Sri Lanka’s stability and looming foreign debt repayments.
Sirisena said at his official residence that he will appoint a commission to investigate corruption under Wickremesinghe since January 2015.
“He is corrupt. His economic policies are not good for local industries. He pursued an extremely liberal form of government that is not compatible with our culture.”
Mr Wickremesinghe’s UNP hit back at the former ally.
“He can choose any superintendent for his private coconut estate, but in government he must recognise the leader of the largest single party in parliament,” UNP spokesman Harsha de Silva told AFP.
Mr De Silva said the UNP welcomed any corruption investigation, but insisted that existing inquiries into high profile murders and corruption under Rajapakse should be pursued with vigour.
Close family and associates of Mr Rajapakse face allegations of murder and siphoning off millions of dollars of public money.
Mr Sirisena almost lost his voice as he recalled how he asked Wickremesinghe to step down in February when their respective parties were beaten in local elections.
“I told him that we lost the election because his economic policies had failed. I told Ranil in this very room to step down, but he refused,” Mr Sirisena said.
He added that there had been “hundreds” of clashes between the two that had become an open secret in the coalition government.
Sri Lanka’s parliament meets on November 27 and 29 to discuss a motion by the UNP to cut off government spending.
Government finances will stall on January 1 unless a 2019 budget is passed.
If the UNP wins the vote, it could force Rajapakse to withdraw his claim to the leadership, and compel Sirisena to name a prime minister from the UNP.
“If the UNP shows a majority, I believe Mahinda will do the right thing (and stand down),” said Mr Sirisena, although he reiterated that he would still not reappoint Mr Wickremesinghe.
Asked if he could constitutionally ignore the leader of the largest party in parliament, Sirisena said he would rely on tradition.
“There is a tradition that the person appointed PM should be able to work with the president. I cannot work with Ranil. The UNP will have to bring somebody else.”
(AFP)
Latest Headlines in Sri Lanka
- Fire at Steuart hotel in Colombo Fort extinguished December 5, 2024
- Sri Lanka Government unveils interim budget for early 2025 December 5, 2024
- Lohan Ratwatte and wife granted bail over illegal vehicle charges December 5, 2024
- Renuka Perera arrested over false social media claims December 5, 2024
- Vote on Account presented to Sri Lanka Parliament December 5, 2024
This King the new Dictator has not only dug his grave but continues digging the grave, deeper, day by day.
Dear King,
How come you sat quietly when your ‘former’ Government under Hon Ranil was conducting a Government corrupt to the core?
Of course, for the 10 years of Rajapaksa family rule, you sat quietly in the Cabinet when all those terrible things including mega corruption was going on.
Sir, you have this habit of sitting quietly, don’t you? and then, you wake up suddenly and cut someone’s throat.
By the way, how come you are the 3rd richest politician in SL according to Forbes magazine?
Can you show the country how this wealth was gained and how much taxes you paid?
If Forbes are lying, you should get Dappula to sue them, Sir.
If you can’t work with the most experienced and clean politician,RW, or the most decorated war hero, SF, Sir, you should certainly resign the Chair as you are simply not fit to sit there.
How can he work with a person who tried to KILL him?
In norm also its not at all possible.
I think knowing the situation in the country and postponement of elections for several months, this is a rightful decision taken by the president.
This crisis should end with an election. PEOPLE ARE WAITING.
People do not need Ranil back and his party also has the same voice.
In parallel, investigation should continue to find the truth behind the plotting.
Maraya,
This Guy who is coming out with murder stories appears to have psychological problems.
A Senior Police Officer was questioned regarding this matter and he was arrested and charged over something else.
Surely, if the assassination plot is true, Scotland Yard or CIA should have been brought in and the matter investigated quickly and proper charges laid. Even private detectives from UK should have been brought in.
Maraya, we have serial liar occupying the Golden Chair.
It is fine to make allgations of crime but the people who came in to power promissing to put MR and his associates to kailhas failed the people. On top of that they committed the biggest crime in a very short time With the bomd scam. The only thing that RW and MY3 did regularlly was come ip woth some story sbout MR
By the way can any one shed some light as to what happened to the
Rock that nade it impossinle for ships to enter the Hamnatota port. Did it just dissapear?.
Hey Stanley,
The Forbes Magazine lists MR Family as $18 billion worth. Where did they get the data form?
Surely, they wouldn’t have contacted RW and determined the effort.
I am surprised why MR Family has not sued the Forbes Magazine?
There must be truth in the Forbes magazine assessment of wealth.