Fearing an unfavorable ruling by the Supreme Court on the gazette dissolving Parliament, President Maithripala Sirisena has informed UNP party leaders last night that he was willing to withdraw the gazette dissolving Parliament.
Sirisena
Sources close to Sirisena said he was likely to withdraw the gazette on Monday, before the Supreme Court begins the hearing of the petitions against the dissolution of Parliament. Chief Justice Nalin Perera has appointed a seven bench judge to hear the case which will be taken up next week.
“At the meeting last night, the President also said he would not dissolve or prologue Parliament, “Tamil Progressive Alliance leader Mano Ganesan, who represented the UNF at the meeting, said.
UNP Chairman Kabir Hashim, Lakshman Kiriella, General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, Patali Champika Ranawaka, Rajitha Senaratne, Mano Ganesan, Rishad Bathiudeen and Rauff Hakeem attended the meeting representing the United National Front. Ousted Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe did not attend the meeting.
Ganesan, commenting on the discussion with the President last night, also added that Sirisena “informally” admitted that his chosen Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa did not have a majority in Parliament. “He also admitted that the UNF commanded the support of a majority in Parliament.”
In another key development, Sirisena had been critical of the behavior of UPFA and SLPP MPs in Parliament, saying he had “nothing to do” with them.
Speaking to a group of journalists after the meeting, UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said the meeting was positive.
He added that both parties discuss their concerns and attempted to arrive at a solution. All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) leader Rishad Bathiudeen also confirmed that the meeting ended without a final decision, but added that they would meet Sirisena again over the weekend.
Sirisena, however, has reiterated that he will not reappoint UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister. He said he was willing to appoint any other MP of the UNP in the position. “The discussion virtually came to a halt when the President made that remark,” Ganesan explained.
However, it is learnt that the UNP MPs will meet Sirisena again, on Monday, with a fresh set of proposals of resolving the crisis.
Chitra / December 1, 2018
A leader that cannot take rejection when he has got that rejection, from the courts, the top officials, parliament, and also around that world, is clinging to power, disregarding the constitution, and a pathetic excuse for a leader. Shame on this man.
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Mallaiyuran / December 1, 2018
After returning from his New York meeting UNGA), New King appeared highly nervous. His speech to New York Sinhalese in the manner that he was accepting all the responsibility to war crimes was an ostensible exhibition of internal weakness and was arousing suspicion of something fermenting. Last time (March 2018) Tilak Marapana could not made real his challenge of withdrawing from UNHRC. Chitanta coalition’s plan to dismiss Ranil led Yahapalanaya and denying Resolution 30/1 that it was an ultra vires action of Yahapalanaya, is dying it seems. When New King was desperate, he foolishly threw the SLFP on the feet of Old King only to watch Old King immediately grabbing it and destroying to promote his own family Trading Enterprise, the Slap Party.
Last two or three months (UN meeting though all party leads visit to PM Modi), New King has had many sequential downward turn. The only success in these days he achieved was having the first clause removed from the November, 14th NCM. In all others he failed. December 7th court date is a big gambling (Verdict may not be on the same date). Old Royal who knows his internal secret knows that too, so would use it too for their advantage. If declared the Dissolving is illegal, that is a serious damage for New King, especially after he leaves the presidential Chair. Old Royal would like to push him into the hands of court by dragging and refusing to resign. New King can dismiss Old King before 7th and put a quick solution. But unlike Ranil who refused legally challenge New King for firing him on October, 26th. Old King is not the person easily let it go unchallenged in the court based on the 19A that he to continue as PM until February, 2010 unimpeded by EP’ authority.
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Mallaiyuran / December 1, 2018
As a naive war New King is planning to destroy Ranil in a books he is about to release on Ranil’s administration. (If Ranil have left politics by the end of the year by the turmoil New King created, then the book would turn out to be a dud). Releasing any internal secret, while he is sitting as EP, is out of question. So it can only be an extension of the lousy statement he read for the public after dismissing Ranil. The problem arising now out of that foolish object is going to make him resist reappointing Ranil as the PM, as much as possible. He fired Ranil only to bring Old King to walk over UNHRC. His grudge against Ranil is Yahapalanaya signing the Resolution 30/1, which could incriminate many of Chitanta heroes. So he could not give a proper reason for firing, but he had explained it as a personal rivalry, a mismatched marriage with Ranil? At this point the ailment that caused to appoint Old King is forgotten and the direction of the path (seeking protection from UNHRC) is lost. So he is refocusing on splitting UNP and promoting one who is a novice who would easily lent for his maneuvers, unlike Ranil. Electing a leader hastily at this time for UNP may leave UNP into blind jungle path in future? It has suffered already for 25 years. Because Electing Vaalaiththodam (if he is the one most suitable) as the UNP leader at another time is another issue, but if he is appointed as PM at this time, then all Ranil’s Jilmart during the last three year is proved without any doubt in the minds of Moda Mass and it is only an induced coma for UNP for the years to come. New King’s dream of returning to UNP what it did to SLFP (Perceived reason for split as SLFP- Slap Party) will become true.
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Mallaiyuran / December 1, 2018
Instead of political competition, personal rivalry within Sinhala leaders like SWRD’s murder to Sripathi Sooriyarachchi (even to some extent Premachandra, but not Raviraj or Rajasingham like Tamil politicians) has now made the Lankawe politics as a stage to showoff kingpin-ship of underworld political gangsters. 8th grade is the need qualification for this type of philosophically and physically thuggery politics. The current status of Ranil – New King relationship, one destroying other, is only about more of the Philosophical nature of Lankawe’s political sphere than any real substance in that to discuss. There is no Westminster Model or any intrigue uniqueness in that. The traceable start of this philosophy is disenfranchising the Tamil laborers in 1948.
This week 15 SLFPyers met Old King and asked him to resign. He has not resigned. But he told Ranil privately to take up the PM position, because he wants to resign. But New King is refusing to accept Ranil. Neither has he removed Old King. The biggest political Reading pending out there for a week or so for the political pundits is how those internal conflicts going to play with the court cases, due on the coming week
If things are not sorted out before 7th, and the case is lost, then UNP has to face the election. UNHRC and Tamils will let to scratch their heads. Then the Secret Solution will be gone through the roof. The New government will stand in UNHRC with new excuses. Ranil may have to step aside and the election would be the most bitterly contested election in the Island’s history. Nothing will be certain, including a very harmonious new Unity Government to unleashing few more pogroms on minorities, aiming to shoot down the power into Southern political thugs’ hands. If the election is declared within few weeks based on court case UNP’s survivability is a good chart too.
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Jayakarthik / December 2, 2018
Superb analysis but I have doubts whether election will come even if the stalemate continues.new king has to resign or swallow the pride and accept ranil.
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Lion / December 1, 2018
6.2 million voters do not want MS as the President. 70% votes were UNP and they do not like him being the President because he does not possess the quality to be an Executive President..besides he was voted in only to abolish the executive Presidency …he has failed in that…The UNP voters do not want him ..therefore he should resign and hold a Presidential Election so that UNP do not need worry what he does if elected.,. rather than telling RW to get out while enjoying everything on his party votes …look the man had the priviledge to meet the queen of England at Buckingham Palace and she shook hands with her without gloves… all because of UNP votes…RW was happy …. Mahinda never had that priviledge for his life though President for 10 years….MS is very ungrateful..
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sarath abayagunawardana / December 2, 2018
Firstly ,why did U select siisena then, don’t talk bull shit Ranil could become Pm through back door, and now using word Democrazy he started tinkering the 19 th amedt Do u know the tinkering is INVALID without a Referendum, those articles where ranil could get Sirisena’s Authority EXEC POWER, ,violates the Art 3, ++Art 4 , Ranil has illegally robbed these. therefore the President has all those initial power. so far no one has challenged this, as Siri was under a governing pact till26 oct, but not now!!! ???
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Kugan / December 1, 2018
He thinks he is king Abdullah,pls get normal 5th grade social studies teacher to explain basic politics work
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John / December 1, 2018
It seems ‘kelaa paluwaa’ Badudeenaya is going to join Sirisena.
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John / December 1, 2018
The West have ordered Yahaplana retards to give up the government and contest the up coming elections as justice fighting democratic warrior underdogs because for 4 years Yahaplana retards couldn’t achieve anything.
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Gota 2020!!!
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AM / December 2, 2018
John, Gota can not contest, he is an American and not easy to give up his citizenship just because he likes to.
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Edward / December 2, 2018
Don’t take this stories seriously. These are mere gossips wait for the final episode.
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Dona Kathirina / December 2, 2018
@Edward you may be right. It’s too early to say yet but it’s just possible that all these stories about withdrawing the gazette dissolving Parliament is one huge planted story orchestrated by some party to take the pressure off the President. My reason for saying this is this week’s political column in the Sunday Times- ‘Sirisena works out ceasefire; Rajapaksa faces the axe’. Now you know how well connected this newspaper is and what huge credibility it has. But today, inexplicably, the political column contains a fake Constitutional Article. I quote ST political column:-
“This is what Article 48(2) of the Constitution says: “Notwithstanding the death, removal from office or resignation of the Prime Minister, during the period intervening between the dissolution of Parliament and the conclusion of the General Election, the Cabinet of Ministers shall continue to function with the other Ministers of the Cabinet as its members until the conclusion of the General Election. The President may appoint one such Minister to exercise, perform and discharge, or may himself exercise, perform and discharge the powers, duties and functions of the Prime Minister. If there is no such other Minister the President shall himself exercise, perform and discharge the powers, duties and functions of the Cabinet of Ministers until the conclusion of the General Election.” -end of ST quote.
Now anyone who has access to internet can go to SL Parliament website and download the latest Constitution after 19A. And this is Article 48(2):- “If Parliament rejects the Statement of Government Policy or the Appropriation Bill or passes a vote of no-confidence in the Government, the Cabinet of Ministers shall stand dissolved, and the President shall, unless he has in the exercise of his powers under Article 70, dissolved Parliament, appoint a Prime Minister, Ministers of the Cabinet of Ministers, Ministers who are not members of the Cabinet of Ministers and Deputy Ministers in terms of Articles 42, 43, 44 and 45. “
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Dona Kathirina / December 2, 2018
Part 2
Well then, what has Sunday Times Political Editor done? Erroneously given Article 47(2) as 48(2)? Not so simple. The real Article 47(2) reads:- “Notwithstanding the death, removal from office or resignation of the Prime Minister, during the period intervening between the dissolution of Parliament and the conclusion of the General Election, the Cabinet of Ministers shall continue to function with the other Ministers of the Cabinet of Ministers as its members, until the conclusion of the General Election. The President may appoint one such Minister to exercise, perform and discharge the powers, duties and functions of the Prime Minister.”
You will see that the last line given by the Political Editor- “If there is no such other Minister the President shall himself exercise, perform and discharge the powers, duties and functions of the Cabinet of Ministers until the conclusion of the General Election.” is a complete fabrication. The SL Constitution does not contain such a line anywhere AS IT STANDS NOW AFTER THE 19A.
But before the 19A that was exactly what Article 48(2) of the Constitution said. This is the pre- 19A Article 48(2):- ” Notwithstanding the death, removal from office or resignation of the Prime Minister, during the period intervening between the dissolution of Parliament and the conclusion of the General Election, the Cabinet of
Ministers shall continue to function with the other Ministers of the Cabinet as it members until the conclusion of the General Election. The President may appoint one such Minister to exercise, perform and discharge, or may himself exercise, perform and discharge the powers, duties and functions of the Prime Minister. If there is no such other Minister the president shall himself exercise perform and discharge the powers, duties and functions of the Cabinet of Ministers until the conclusion of the General Election.”
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Dona Kathirina / December 2, 2018
Part 3
Now I don’t think the Political Editor of Sunday Times is so incompetent as not to know which Constitution is the law in SL in 2018. (I had him for a lecture at the BIDTI once and he seemed pretty sharp and up to date). I think the source which fed him the story that there have been backdoor negotiations and Prez is considering withdrawing the gazette and entering into a deal with TNA-UPF as a face saving strategy also gave him the wrong Article 48(2). I conjecture that the source was so high-up and credible that he did not bother to check what the real 48(2) is. I also think Prez Sirisena has picked up a lesson or two from USA about fake news and plants and is using it strategically. Like he did after proroguing Parliament. Remember the way he used PM Rajapaksa to plant the fake news that Parliament was going to be reconvened
“Sirisena To Convene Parliament On November 05 Amid Severe International Pressure To Uphold Democracy”- Colombo Telegraph.
All this is conjecture on my part of course. Let’s wait and see.
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sarath abayagunawardana / December 2, 2018
I think U re thoughts have some sense, Have u not observed that the present 19 th Amendt articles amending Pres’s exec power will not really valid without a Referendum no one has contested these as they were working together but not now!!! in reality PM cannot take his Authority ,leaving Resposibilility and Accontability with President ,That status will clash violating Art 3 ++Art 4 ??? Therefore all those clauses where Ranil tried to extract authority will be inactive technically including Art 70 , etending the dissolution date to 4 1/2 yrs.
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Jx / December 2, 2018
Took away 3 innocent lives for his stupidity,how it’s hard for the loved ones,little children lost their father !
The champions are saying they brought the peace,as Hon Karu said only no bombs or guns
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Vanguard / December 2, 2018
There is no point in dicussing right and wrong in Sri Lankan politics, we have to go all the way back to 1978.
We can discuss constitutionality.
Withdrawal of the gazette is not unconstitutional, it is a strategic move. He removed the former Prime Minister after hearing legal advice that it was oknto do so. Now the Supreme Court will tell him if it was constitutional, on the 5th of December 2018. I think he expected a legal challenge earlier.
They made a mistake in not forming an UPFA majority government in August 2015. Maybe that would have also have been challenged in the Supreme Court.
Let the people decide, local people, not foreigners.
Foreign politicians deciding our fate or pressurizing us is unconstitutional.
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sarath abayagunawardana / December 2, 2018
These Colombo Telegraph:s comment is misleading President will never change his decision Why should he recall the dissolution order now ??? even if the SC decision is against it ?? The sc if independent cant give a decision against it as the decisions of the President is Perfectly OK. Do U know the 19 amends dislocating Presidents Powers is illegal as it has to be done thru a REFERENDUM only so far no one has Questoined this ?? as the President was a member of the Ranil W., govt till 26 th.
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Pon Kulendiren / December 2, 2018
A conversation in a Remote village
: ”Taahthe what is this crisis and demos that are taking place recently in the country”
“Putha does not; worry about it . as it is very legally complicated to understand Its the fight between politicians who can gain the power to swindle the country by selling to Chna:
“Why China Thaathe. I can’t speak that language. Buddha was born in India and Buddhism came from India The father of our singhala race too came from India “
“Religion and race are to deceive the voters.:
“Taathe what is this COL going up”
“Don’t worry Putha so long as we have two jack trees and three Pol Gas and karuwala and Kakulu rice we will be fine. At the time of elections if they give money like the way they do to MP’s we will vote for him:
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Shrikharan / December 2, 2018
For the better of the country the president SHOULD BE IMPEACHED.
He came to the top on telling out right lies. What is the lesson and message are we as responsible adults pass on to the young growing children. Kids can observe and they are more mature than we think.
They will get the wrong message that to rise to the top one must be a good lier.
How will their teacher answer if students pose My3’s example and tell truth has no place.
Only way is to show and prove is to show in action such lies and deception NEVER take you long and soon such people will have a big fall from which they can NEVER recover.
First this rascal, lier, backstabber, ungrateful backboneless idiot tells:
1. Rajapakse is God
2. Just one month later at the eve of the Oresidential elections tells this same Rajapakse is murderer, crook, theif and all the sundry. Tells he will never again join him and will ensure justice to his victims and ensure legal action and punishment to Rajapkse. Ensure he will never step outside prison.
3. Then suddely now this idiot rejoins with same man he declared will never associate and made the same man who he promised will be sent to jail as Prime minister. Does the prime minister’s chair stink so badly. Brought disgrace to such a seat.
4. Then he said if by chance Ranil comes back as PM he will vacate his post in two hours.
Let us see whether he at least upholds this promise. I certainly doubt it.
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