(Lanka-e-News- 18.Feb2018, 11.45PM) Following discussions held by the president with Prime Minister (P.M.) and the speaker , the UPFA officially announced on 18 th night that it is leaving the consensual government . The official communique states consequent upon this change , the president is taking steps to obtain the opinion of the Supreme court (SC) as regards appointment of a new P.M.
At the president –P.M. –speaker discussion ,the president had revealed that the UNPers have told him there must be a change in the UNP , and if Ranil Wickremesinghe is remaining as P.M. , the UPFA had informed him they have to leave the consensual government.
The P.M. and the speaker in response had said , they too are aware that a change should be effected in the UNP but that cannot be done in a hurry in this situation . They had also pointed out, by the president making such reckless moves the UNP is going to be split ,which will only operate to the advantage of Mahinda Rajapakse and none else. The president had then asserted he has no need at all to form a government along with Mahinda Rajapakse.
Though the president had earlier requested Karu Jayasuriya to accept the post of P.M., Karu who is always gentlemanly had declined the offer .
Earlier on the president had sought the advice of the Attorney General (A.G.) prior to the discussions ,to change the P.M. But the AG had advised him that the president cannot change the P.M. , and it can only be done if the P.M. resigns of his own accord or on his demise, under the constitution .
In the end , the earnest request of P.M. and Speaker to president was think in the national interest and not to destabilize the country thereby creating chaos and confusion at this crucial moment. As the rupee value is declining every day , and if this situation is to continue the country will be plunged into irretrievable economic despair , they have pinpointed. The Central bank governor too had joined in the discussion via phone. The Governor said the economy is on the decline day by day . However it appeared the president did not have much understanding on that. Neither did he show any concern for the impending disaster.
The president who is the SLFP and UPFA leader said, he cannot control the UPFA , and if Ranil is to continue as P.M. they would be resigning from the government, and that group is seeking an opinion from the SC pertaining to changing the P.M. In any event , about 8 UPFA members will not resign from the government , the president disclosed. In any case it was very clear it is the president who is behind the communique.
The term of the consensual government agreement has ended under the law. If the UNP officially withdraws from the consensual government , it can still continue with the the government under a UNP P.M. , while showing a majority after limiting the cabinet to 30 members. If that happens the SC can do nothing. The president of course can all along hinder and hamper the government thereafter.
Meanwhile following the indication that a request is going to be made to the SC , Priyantha Jayawardena a SC judge is always in the house of Basil Rajapakse . The new appeal court president justice Priyantha Padman Surasena is also spending his time these days at the Paget Road residence of the president, based on reports reaching Lanka e news inside information division.
Translated by Jeff
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by (2018-02-19 07:00:48)
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