News

President reiterates he does not like Ranil

16 Dec, 2018

President Maithripala Sirisena today reiterated he does not like Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, despite having to reappoint him as Prime Minister.

Speaking to Wickremesinghe and a few United National Front (UNF) Parliamentarians after appointing Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister today, the President said that there were several issues he had with?Wickremesinghe since 2015.

He accused?Wickremesinghe of abusing his powers as Prime Minister before Wickremesinghe was sacked in October.

The President said that?Wickremesinghe had even used some powers of the President.

He said that Wickremesinghe attempted to push under the carpet, investigations into the treasury bond scam.

Sirisena accused Wickremesinghe of failing to follow his instructions not to arrest monks and members of the military.

The President insisted that if members of the military are to be arrested then LTTE members and their supporters overseas must also be arrested for war crimes.

Sirisena also said that if former LTTE cadres are to be released on the basis they are political prisoners then military officers in prison must also be freed.

President Sirisena also said that he stood by his statement that he will not appoint?Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister even if all 225 members of Parliament signed a motion.

However he said he decided to appoint?Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister out of respect for Parliament and democracy.

The President said that he is writing a book over his term in office with?Wickremesinghe and hopes to release it early next year. (Colombo Gazette)

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