Issuing a belligerent statement, President Maithripala Sirisena refused to accept the letter sent by Speaker Karu Jayasuriya this afternoon explaining today’s proceedings in Parliament.
Sirisena, in his statement, said the Parliamentary tradition does not make it necessary to prove the parliamentary majority for the selected Prime Minister although it is up to the President to appoint a member of the house as the Prime Minister, who, in the President’s opinion, holds the majority support in Parliament.
In his letter, Sirisena said he was the sole ‘appointing authority’ of the Prime Minister.
He also added that the Speaker had failed to adhere to Standing Orders and other Parliamentary procedures when it comes to No Confidence Motion against purported Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and his government.
“The list of signatures attached with the motion has not been certified by Parliament,” Sirisena said whilst adding that the date of the motion had also been changed later, in an unacceptable matter.
Eagle Eye / November 15, 2018
When Ranil Wickramasinghe or Speaker violates the constitution or do not follow the established procedures, the white vultures from the West, INGOs, Civil Society goons who thrive on $$$s do not open their mouths. ‘Ethakota Kate Pittu’.
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Diplomats from Britain, Netherlands, Norway, France, Australia, South Africa, Italy, and Canada have not attended a meeting called by the new Foreign Minister as a protest over President Sirisena’s decision to dissolve parliament. Are these Diplomats representing ‘Civilized’ countries or countries where ‘Jungle Rule’ exist? Dissolving the Parliament is a domestic affair. If they have a problem with President’s decision, as foreign Diplomats they should have attended the meeting and express their views to the Foreign Minister. That is the accepted norm. Mother crab walking sideways and asking baby crabs to walk straight. Hypocrites!
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sirimal / November 15, 2018
Incumbent President M3Pala Sirisena VIOLATES his power intentionally.
As 38 makes it very clear:
action of office by President.
38
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(2) (a) Any Member of Parliament may, by a writing addressed to the Speaker, give notice of a
resolution alleging that the President is permanently incapable of discharging the functions of his
office by reason of mental or physical infirmity or that the President has been guilty of-
(i) intentional violation of the Constitution THIS HE DID ON THE 26 Oct 2018
(ii) treason, THIS HE DID ON THE 26 Oct 2018
(iii) bribery, THIS HE DID ON THE 26 Oct 2018
(iv) misconduct or corruption involving the abuse of the powers of his office, or THIS HE DID SINCE HE UNANIMOUSLY PROROGUED THE PARLIAMENT
(v) any offence under any law, involving moral turpitude, and setting out full particulars of the
allegation or allegations made and seeking an inquiry and report thereon by the Supreme Court. THIS HE DID SINCE HE UNANIMOUSLY PROROGUED THE PARLIAMENT
Parliamentarians and authorities in prevailing law and order, over to you, please impeach this man and put him jail forever.
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Ayathuray Rajasingam / November 15, 2018
The behaviour of President Maithiripala Srisena resembles the struggle between the Crown and the Parliament in England during Stuart period. If Maithiripala is adamant in not appointing the Prime Minister who is commanding the majority in the Parliament, I do not know whether Sri Lanka is moving towards a Glorious Revolution or Bloody Revolution. Maithiripala Sirisena should have in mind that in a Party system, it is the leader of the Party who will be in command. If Maithiripala Srisena thinks that ‘in his opinion who is commanding’ does not mean his personal view. It should relate to the leader of the Party which is in command of the majority in Parliament. I think Maithiripala Srisena is expecting a civil disturbance to crop up, so that he can impose a curfew and his dictatorship rule. Though he is a President, he should respect the Supreme Court Order and comply with the Parliamentary practice and Standing Orders therein. He has created a black mark in the history of Sri Lanka Parliament. I think all Western democratic countries including India are not happy of Maithripala Srisena’s conduct. If he cannot appoint Ranil Wickremasinghe, then it is better of Maithiripala Srisena to resign. That is what a cultured person will do.
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Buddhist / November 15, 2018
Its time to drive some sense into this uneducated President. Yes he is he sole appointing authority of the PM. That is the reason why the Speaker did not appoint another person and sent the papers to him to appoint another person. In fact the Speaker did not even recommend another person’s name to be appointed. If there is a no confidence motion passed against the PM, then the President has to appoint another PM whom he again thinks has the majority. In this instance, the earlier no confidence motion would have given a clear indication to the President who has the majority and at that point if the President thinks of some one else who has the majority then its time for the President to go and check his head, as he is beyond crazy.
Once again this crazy President is arguing on idiotic points such as change of date and certification. Was he blind not to see the video clips that are out? Are these valid points to be raised. In my opinion its time to impeach this President as he has turned ‘cuckoo”. We do not want a President who is “cuckoo” to be the head of the armed forces, head of Government and head of the Cabinet.
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Hard Truth / November 15, 2018
“According to parliamentary traditions, a prime minister does not require a majority to hold office.” In which planet???????
In ALL parliamentary democracies on planet Earth, the PM does need to hold a majority in the parliament, and even the most underhanded, undemocratic and corrupt PM will resign immediately if he falls short even by one seat. A PM holding onto his seat after losing a no confidence motion is against all traditions, against the law and against the constitution full stop. Many prime ministers try to buy-off MPs for money, and try all kind of underhanded tactics to show a majority only BECAUSE they know it is unthinkable to hold onto office after losing a vote in parliament. If the present stance of president is correct, why bring the no confidence motion against Ranil? Why prorogue parliament? Why insist that you have the numbers in parliament? Why dissolve parliament when you found that you don’t have the numbers? Why try to stop the supreme court from delivering a judgement, saying it does not have jurisdiction? why resist the NCM being taken up? You could have simply said “I can appoint whoever I want, parliamentary vote does not matter?” This is an extremely childish argument. Sorry, I take that back – saying so insults the intelligence of children.
The president should appoint a PM who, in his opinion, have a majority in parliament, only because you want to avoid too many no confidence motions and get it right on the first go. The president’s ‘opinion’ holds only as far as such a majority is not tested on the floor. Even a child will understand that the reality of the floor test which proves who holds the majority, takes precedence over the president’s ‘opinion’ of who holds the majority.
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Champa / November 15, 2018
Alright. I read President’s nut-letter in full.
I dare say it has no impact on yesterday’s proceedings in the Parliament including the NCM. President has just expressed his views.
The Speaker has two choices;
1. Put a note on the top of the letter as “seen,” and tell his staff to file it.
2. Send a reply to the President.
To ease the undue pressure put on the Speaker by the Executive, I have drafted his reply to the President.
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Quote:
“Mr. President
I am in receipt of your nut letter dated 2018.11.14, titled (ok, no title.)
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2. First of all, I wish to inform you that, Parliamentary proceedings have never been prejudicial to the activities of the Supreme Court as it takes its own independent and fair decisions. I acted in accordance with the interim stay order issued by the Supreme Court on the dissolution of Parliament.
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3. I draw your attention to the fact that the situation faced by me in the Parliament yesterday was extraordinary. Therefore, the accusation mentioned in para 4 of your letter is baseless. There were two Prime Ministers and two governments, one appointed by you and another elected, who claimed that he has the majority. An opposition party has tabled an NCM against the PM and the government appointed by you. You would appreciate the fact that, as the Speaker, I cannot take sides. The NCM was duly presented after stalling Standing Orders and all the decisions pertaining to them were taken by the House. I only facilitated them. I wish to reiterate the fact that in an anomalous situation, I cannot proceed with any other agenda without first verifying which side has the confidence in the House in order to identify the legitimate PM and his government.
.
Contd’ 1/2
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chiv / November 15, 2018
After MR it is now MS turn in gradually exposing his true character to the public.All the hard work in building a Mandela kind of personality has vanished in few days . MR is exposing his weaning support and control within and outside of party . His hard earned charisma as “superman” is now questioned in public. Cant keep his own people together, Cant get enough people from outside (like before) one too many people in party are calling the shots, dependent on others for survival, lost NCM one after another. And the crowds are not showing up as before.
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Vanguard / November 15, 2018
The President is correct in that he has the power to appoint.
But more to the point I was totally against electing MS as President, Ranil would not have been a bad choice. Maithripalas presidential bid was founded on betrayal of the voters mandate and cross-overs. UPFA supporters knew this.
In fact Ranil was prevented being President by unconstitutionally violating voters rights in 2004.
At least listen to me now, there need to be two parties but the UNP needs to clean up its act. They know how to, but they are all afraid of the powers behind RW.
Also by the way nice to know we did what the Americans wanted in summoning parliament
Will that be all sir?
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Champa / November 15, 2018
Contd’ 2/2
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4. The argument raised in your para 5 is absolutely wrong. The majority in the Parliament is directly connected to people’s mandate. If your argument is valid, then you can even appoint a PM from ANY political party at YOUR preference. I am afraid Mr. President, the Parliamentary tradition in selecting a PM was always based on the majority of seats a Party Leader received at an election. When you appointed a PM out of nowhere completely disregarding people’s mandate already exists, as the Speaker, I have an obligation to safeguard the rights of the people whose mandate is visible in the Parliament. Acting contrary to it, is arbitrary, undemocratic and a blatant violation of the confidence placed by people in the Parliament. Besides, there was a PM in office for 4 years who was appointed by you, based on the majority. There is no room under the Constitution to appoint another PM without any change in the majority, the PM-in-office holds.
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5. The list mentioned in para 6 is an additional document which is not necessarily to be accepted and the change of the date therein isn’t an issue. The NCM was won by a majority, taken by a voice vote. I have already delivered my decision. As such, I have no power to “undo” yesterday’s proceedings.
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6. Para 7 in your letter is totally irrelevant. Besides, at the time, 19A was not in effect.
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7. For para 8 in your letter, please see my para 2 above.
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8. I wish to remind you that as the Speaker, I know my responsibilities. Though you are asking me to act independent, you letter itself is proof that you are putting undue pressure on me to act bias and in favour of you.
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I wish you well!
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Sinhala_Man / November 15, 2018
This is great, Champa!
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Amarasiri and Native Vedda, there no doubt are more important things for you to comment on, but I really do feel that you must acknowledge how principled Champa has turned out to be when the chips are down.
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gamini / November 15, 2018
Maithreepala is going through the motions before he is kicked out for good, just like what happened to MR trying to enter the Parliament through the back door.
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Chitra / November 15, 2018
Sirisena is trying to ram an illegitimate Prime Minister down our throats, despite our courts, professionals, and scholars, all telling him it is against the constitution.
What kind of president is he? He must put aside any issues he may have with Ranil W. and work together for the good of the country. No bloodless coups, or conspiring with the opposition , for selfish reasons, greed, or power. The people are now tired of his games.
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(BESS) Buddhist Extremist State of SriLanka / November 15, 2018
Am I the Only One as a MAture adult with a Considerable Credentials Notices” See How DUMB (I mean Dumb of The Dumbest) Looking Signature…I have seen By an Executive Individual In my 20 Years of working Life…..That Signature Belongs to a megalomaniac Individual with an Unbalanced Mentality with Extremist Ideals and Values……More to speak Like Buddhist Sinhalese EXTREMIST Mentality
Perfect Sinhala-Buddhist Madaman’s Signature this Scumbag Got (I wouldn’t have voted for him knowing he had a Signature Like this
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Sinhala_Man / November 15, 2018
Please be wary of ridiculing the despicable My3 on account of something that smacks of criticizing his background.
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Dwellers in villagers, and users of the Sinhala and Tamil languages, must be respected.
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Muhandiram / November 15, 2018
The man who boasted of having many “Trump” cards is clutching at Straws. Seems senility has taken hold of him much sooner. Is he so silly that he cannot understand that his “Games” are costing the country dear? What about his so called “advisors” which include a retired Chief Justice and other highly qualified people? Can’t they see where Sirisena’s silly and egotistic games are taking the country to?
It is High time Sirisena and his cohorts realised the dangerous consequences of their Ill-conceived machinations and BACK OFF.
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rbh / November 15, 2018
Sirisena, in his statement, said the Parliamentary tradition does not make it necessary to prove the parliamentary majority
These Crossed-overs return to UNP, plan to resign from ministerial posts given by President the understood underst It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation and that the ministerial post the were given is not legitimate.
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Jay / November 15, 2018
I am flabbergasted with the happenings in Sri Lanka. Parliament has gone insane and the democracy is been massacred. People have gone to sleep. Is there a Trudeau, Macron , Jacinta or even Modi or Mahathir in Sri Lanka?
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Jay / November 15, 2018
I am flabbergasted with the happenings in Sri Lanka. Parliament has gone insane and the democracy is been massacred. People have gone to sleep. Is there a Trudeau, Macron , Jacinta or even Modi or Mahathir like in Sri Lanka?
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Mallaiyuran / November 15, 2018
A lesson or two for the Greedy Sinhala Buddhists
“It is quite surprising that Mr. Rajapaksa, whose political instincts ought to have made him decide otherwise, agreed to be sworn in solely on the premise that he could induce crossovers.” That is how Hindu’s Colombo reporter Meera Srinivasan has quipped today in The Hindu.
This morning it was an interesting scene in the Parliament to watch Old King. He came late to make an Imposing – arousal appearance in the parliament, But the, soon imposed departure wiped all they into shame. Like the two male cats standing on the wall & fight for a female feline and loser suddenly jump down runs away, Old King kept turning back again and again, while running out of the parliament while his acolytes tried in vain their best on floor to create heroic scenes and make the naked king feel confident and courage. It was exactly a rerun of the Temple Tree House scene on the morning of Jan, 9th 2015. The difference was/is, in Jan 2015, it was Ranil who played the “Protective Bodyguard General’s “ role that today played by Vasu, Dinesh, Udaya Gammanpila, Lemon Puff Weeraya…..etc. It is irrelevant of whatever may happen tomorrow or day after tomorrow or for a week or two, but the Slap Party Weeraya had gone with the Dhoti. The story of Slap Party candidate becoming PM in this session is Ivarai. If Old King could, nobody else can even dream that from Slap Party. There is Tamil saying “The cat got burned will not return to the kitchen to sleep in the stove”. It was the hottest scene in the recent movies of the Colombo theaters. The Hero would have kissed land only if he had fallen on the steps slipping while running.
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Rajash / November 15, 2018
“…agreed to be sworn in solely on the premise that he could induce crossovers.”
induce crossovers?
very diplomatic language…read …she meant “..on the premise he can buy corrupt MPs for $2 million each from his China fund”
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Mallaiyuran / November 15, 2018
Old King was lurking and aiming for two years to jump on to the Slap Party as a PM. But he did it exactly at the wrong moment and his dream to PM may possibly land him out of the parliament.
As the Donkey Trading had gone wrong, the 8th graders were acting like monkeys this morning (11/14/18). They kept the parliament in chaos from the time it was opened and until it was closed. Diyawanna Lake Building was vibrating by Gangkaraya, Chandikaraya, Lemon Puff Weerayas, and the Road warriors. But the tsunami waves that were pounding the walls quickly receded like a chicken lost its head, when the head had slipped out of parliament secretly. He did the same thing in March when Ranil was being impeached.
Ranil can feel safe now until August 2020 from Slap Party threats. But New King is still working inside the UNP. His stand on that part is a message to Ranil that if he cannot run the party UNP, then New King will take care of it and run the UNP for Ranil. So Ranil is still facing a possible mutiny inside his ship. But if UNP can force New King to retreat, then the EP and PM will fall into the hands of UNP. There is chance for that by other way too: Ranil negotiating with New King all the protections that he offered to Old King in Jan,9th 2015. Further, last 3 ½ years, Ranil had proved how good he is in honoring that kind of promises. New King can believe Ranil saving him from UN electric Chair, local crimes and corruption, and the Constitutional law breaking, like the same way Ranil did to Old King.
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Mallaiyuran / November 15, 2018
Without being paid a penny from the 500 Million promised, with no hope of clinking on to the minister posts in the quickly evaporating newly formed government, the traded 8th grade Donkeys like Double Deal Dasa, Manisha Nanayakara, Vadivel Suresh, Vasantha Senanayaka- all have safely returned back to the base camp from where they started their journey of Mountain Submit Climbing. But S. Viyalendiran, who was not that lucky, was kicked out of the snowy mountain to take a great fall. In future, the 8th grade mules who lent them for donkey trading would certainly think twice.
The South Asian Rabbit who stood miles ahead in affront of the tortoises the 1950s is now miles behind to the steadily totting India, Bangladesh, Maldives……….. From Don Stephen to Ranil, the Sinhala Buddhist leaders who failed to maintain the just one element economy aspects, the rupee exchange, promised for 70 years in election meetings to create the Asian Miracle. If one country with in UN umbrella had steadily back peddled for 70 years, it could be only Lankawe.
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Gamini / November 15, 2018
Sirisena is digging his own grave with his teeth!
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SheltonW / November 15, 2018
With his tongue . backed by harak amunu, sb pissunayake, vesideva, buruwanse,and Gona lp., Dinesh Gona. God save ths country
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Confused Citizen / November 15, 2018
MAHINDA group openly attempts to assaults speaker, protected by unpers
Shameless, never ever In the world
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chiv / November 15, 2018
Surprise Surprise , MR right now giving a speech in parliament saying he is going be converted to Buddha soon. That is NIRVANA, giving up all materialistic comforts and position.And he is hurt by yesterday parliamentary proceedings . It is the dark day in Lankan politics because he was “booted out”. OOUUUUCCCCHHHHHH.
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chiv / November 15, 2018
I hear there is free for all fist fight is taking place right now in the parliament. Vasu the homeless has been knocked down. Wimal has been given a K.O. Only Mahindananda is in front line trying to defend. Namal has ducked under the desk for safety. The referee /speaker was the initial target who is well defended by UNP .When is this going to spill out to the streets.Will spectators be spectators?????? Today MR told yesterday was darkest hour in Lankan politics because he was booted out unceremoniously.So today, s events must be be on the brighter side for him. Retards having fun ?????
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hancho pancha / November 15, 2018
God is certainly much more smarter than we mortals to deny donkeys a set horns unlike stupid we the mortals made the Jackass Sirisena the President of Srilanka making the country the laughing stock of the world.
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Estate Labourer / November 15, 2018
For as long as Sirisena remains President of Sri Lanka, the Rupee will continue to depreciate against the US Dollar at the rate of 5 Rupees a month.
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Dan Bastian / November 15, 2018
MS is now clutching at straws and is acting like Mugabe by trying to hold onto power at any cost. No consideration whatsoever to the depths that the country would plunge at colossal economic and human costs. This is not how a President who is the sole custodian and protector of the constitution should behave. Despite setbacks, I felt law and order as well as the independence of the judiciary has arrived, now it looks like we are regressing back to despotic, lawless days of Rajapakistan. Shame on you Mr President, you didn’t keep the Yahapalana pledge you gave to the people.
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rbh / November 15, 2018
See what the mess up the president has done the sri lankans are under control but the Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians colliding democracy. oversight of the security but if it happens to ordinary people all are under arrest, The parliament divided against itself cannot stand. fighting in parliament is quite likely to be a danger signal of a society splitting apart.Diplomats denounce is eminent will lead to a request of foreign help
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Estate Labourer / November 15, 2018
This fellow’s signature looks like the signature of a garbage collector (Bless their souls though!).
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Antony / November 15, 2018
Western Countries – Please sanction MS and MR and their cohorts & close relatives. THIS IS URGENT PLEASE TO SAVE THE NATION FROM SINKING FUTHER.
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chiv / November 15, 2018
Malaiyuran, please do not joke around. You may be correct with other facts but not in case of dishevelled Vasu. Hardly he could save his white sarong, leave alone saving MR . If the king was naked I heard Vasu was half naked while exiting the building. Poor soul. People say he only has a pair to wear.A fund may be initiated in name of “Save Vasu from Nuditity”. May be CV can lend one of his used ones.
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Pon Kulendiren / November 15, 2018
The President is an Egoist. For him, the POWER is more important than the Country. In the French revolution, the King was guillotined. In Sri Lanka, there is the Capital punishment for the President for creating a chaos and affecting the image of the country
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