28 March, 2024

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Visibly Angry Sirisena Hits Out At CC: Says He Didn’t Act Like A Toddler And Top Lawyers Advised Him On Gazettes

President Maithripala Sirisena, speaking after Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe‘s swearing-in, said his statement on not giving the premiership to the UNP Leader even if 225 MPs approved of it only reflected his personal opinion.

Sirisena

“My personal opinion on this matter still remains unchanged. But, I decided to reappoint Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Prime Minister as I have the utmost respect for parliamentary traditions,” Sirisena said in his speech.

He also referred to several statements made by pro-UNP activists that the President’s actions could lead to violence and Sirisena might suffer the same fate as Gaddafi. “Sri Lanka had many leaders in the past who faced numerous problems. Some of them, like JR Jayewardene, ruled the country with an iron fist. But no one dared to make such claims, as they knew the dire consequences of such threats.”

“In my case”, the President said, “they freely express their anger as they know I won’t take revenge. I am the kind of leader who will open the gates of my house even if the public wants to lay siege to my residence. I will allow unruly protestors to harm me if that is their wish.”

Commenting on the Central Bank bond issue. Sirisena said the previous government hampered investigations into the Bond issue and allowed former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran to abscond the law enforcement authorities.

He also added bond scams took place from 2008 and the Bond Commission stressed the need for a forensic investigation to unearth details about such scams. “To date, a forensic investigation has been carried out by the Central Bank over the possible scams that have taken place since 2008. Even this morning I checked this matter with the Central Bank Governor and he confirmed that no action had been taken.”

Sirisena also stated that the appointments made by the Constitutional Council established under the 19th Amendment are questionable. He said the Constitutional Council refused to appoint several nominees, recommended by him, to the judiciary.

“They have turned down the names of some senior judges recommended by me. As a result, there are concerns in the legal circles that the senior judges do not get the promotions they deserve. But I have done my part by recommending their names. This brings the impartiality of the Constitutional Council into question,” Sirisena added.

Sirisena also added that he acted on the advice of legal experts and “high profile” Presidents Counsel when he issued gazette notifications which were later overturned by the judiciary.

“I did not act like a toddler. I consulted high-profile lawyers and well-known legal experts. Some of the finest lawyers in the country defended my conduct in the judiciary. This means I have acted in good faith, in accordance with the advice given to me,” he added.

Watch the full speech in Sinhala:

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Latest comments

  • 11
    3

    I like how he was very blunt about the fact that the parliament is wholly corrupt and that the people’s will is not represented by its members who, even at this moment are jumping from one camp to another in purely self-interest than with even a modicum of concern for the welfare of the people of the country..

    • 11
      0

      What about him? Can anyone vouch for his honesty? Does he represent the people’s will? My questions need to be considered in light of the comment I have made previously on the same matter.

      • 3
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        Lionel Bopage

        “Can anyone vouch for his honesty? Does he represent the people’s will? “

        Didn’t the powers that put Hopper Sirisena where he is now definitely would have known about his qualities. I am sure they would have decided him two basic qualities, one he was the least corrupted useful idiot and the second criteria would have been “”Sirisena a bastard!”- “Yes, but he’s our bastard.”

    • 3
      0

      Lasantha,
      ” its members who, even at this moment are jumping from one camp to another in purely self-interest “
      One could hardly say that Sira himself has not done it. He is crass enough to talk about bribery openly.
      He is the first President to change sides.

    • 3
      0

      President Maithripala Sirisena,

      When would you resign? You said you would resign Still waiting .

      From the bulath vines news, grape vine news and vettila vine news

      SLFP Vice President and Kalutara District MP Kumara Welgama says that President Maithripala Sirisena should resign from his post immediately.

      “The Supreme Court has found that President Sirisena violated the Constitution. One who has acted in contravention of the Constitution should not hold that position. He can be impeached any moment and more than that he should be aware that continuing to hold that post by a person who violated the constitution can give rise to numerous other problems,” MP Welgama told The Island.

      The SLFP stalwart said that when a country was led by a person who had no legitimacy to hold the post of head of state, other law enforcing authorities would find it difficult to discharge their duties to uphold the rule of law.

      “It is time for Sirisena to step down from the post and let the constitutional process to take its own course. His stay in that post will only further worsen the situation. On the other hand, this issue will be detrimental to the country’s interests internationally. Being a seasoned politician the President should understand the possible repercussions of this situation. A president who does not respect a court ruling cannot be trusted to respect anything at all.”

    • 3
      1

      Yes, Lasantha,
      .
      My3, in defeat, told many home truths.

  • 9
    1

    What happened was, Hopperman was having one of his psychotic episodes. He was hallucinating that all who were present in the room had come to assassinate him. He was trying to scare them off by yelling at them like a country bumpkin that he is. The sane, sober, intelligent, civilized liberals sat it out with great compassion and understanding. They didn’t want to interrupt him because they knew that would only aggravate his condition and push him over the edge. He could become physically violent. Most Sri Lankans are now convinced that he has serious issues. Just look at his inappropriate, incoherent speech – especially the rapid “pressured” nature of his speech. This is a sure sign of serious mental illness like mania or schizophrenia. The poor guy needs immediate psychiatric intervention and treatment. This is the liberal, non-judgemental approach to mental illness – not sending to the Gulags like the tyrant Stalin did.

    • 3
      1

      Dear Ajay,
      .
      We must ask for the full speech. This amounted to an important address to the Nation. Making it required courage – admirable.
      .
      I am part country bumpkin, part civilised liberal.
      .
      The problem is that many civilised liberals manipulate and indulge in white collar crimes that a guy like me knows exists, but cannot really counter, nor fully understand. What he said about corruption is valid. I think him personally honest. He may have overlooked some of the corruption when he saw it (including by his family), thinking the time not opportune to counter it.
      .
      Sirisena didn’t really yell – never does. A bit shrill at times today. An enviable command of language, he has. Unfortunately, it is not now the language of prestige. My knowledge of Sinhalese is much less than his; of Tamil, it is nil. All languages are for communication.
      .
      Sirisena is Sinhalese Nationalist rather than racist. However, his views on ethnic relations are inadequate.
      .
      Most of our citizens are what you may refer to as “bumpkins”, through no fault of their own. They are not racist, but can be manipulated in to supporting policies that are racist, espoused by urban crooks with a smattering of a foreign language, and no morality at all.
      .
      The now urgent salvage operation won’t be easy. For a start, we must not mock.
      .
      Actually, your own comment is as sane and rational as always. Mine is an attempt to present a different perspective.

  • 4
    0

    “…..But, I decided to reappoint Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Prime Minister as I have the utmost respect for parliamentary traditions,”

    Reminds me of a convicted criminal who denied any wrong doing when succumbs to the verdict says ” I am going to jail as I have utmost respect to the rule of law” !

  • 3
    0

    Backboneless Sirisena

    What you told others will do to you is similar to what dirty things you told you would do to Mahinda Rajapakse.

    So how do you think how Rajapakse would have felt in the gallows with a rope around his neck! Before you speak about yourself just think the dirty things you did to others. The mere fact you befriended Mahinda Rajapakse and offered him the Premiership (however fake it might be) speaks volumes about his seeming innocence and the ungrateful and dirty extent you will go to grab power.

    What is Muammar Al Gathafi, you tried the same on Rajapakse. You first relinquish your post which you obtained cheating the 6.2 million voters.

  • 3
    0

    Dear Maithripala Sirisena

    “Commenting on the Central Bank bond issue. Sirisena said the previous government hampered investigations into the Bond issue and allowed former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran to abscond the law enforcement authorities.”

    You were the previous Government. You were the President of the previous Government. Now you are speaking as if you were outside the Government. You should take responsibility. You had all the means at your disposal.

    You have the habit of shirking responsibility. During the Presidency of Mahinda Rajapakse you served with him for two full terms. You praised him as a God until the last month, then suddenly you accused him for all the misgivings including war crimes which many were supposed to be committed in the last stages of war when you were the commander in chief and Rajapakse was abroad!

    Actually you are misfit to be President, and you were elected on the antiRaajapakse sentiment votes which you promised to uphold but you went back to the person you promised to ‘destroy’!
    GROBR

  • 1
    1

    At least 15 percent of the Srilankan voters do not understand Sinhala. If MS likes a second term, his speech should be made available in Tamil or English (or you should publish the english translation of his full speech)

    • 0
      1

      I agree. Language is the main. factor that divides Sri Lankans

      50% understand only Sinhalese
      Tamil also must.

    • 0
      1

      But My3 must forget another Presidential term. No support & not up to the task. Let’s hope he is remembered in history as an honest man.
      .
      What about the rest of My3’s speech? Vanguard, too, below has been impressed by it.
      .
      Some rightly feel sorry for Ranil’s wife. True, but she surely should be able to handle this. Nothing compared with what thousands of innocents have suffered.
      .
      When will people get their perspectives right?

  • 7
    0

    Sirisena, just imagine what would have happened if it was Mahinda instead of Ranil. Nothing would have happened, because you would be pissing and shitting in your white sarong and shaking like a rat, unable to utter any words.
    .
    Hypothetically, if you were brave enough to utter a few of those words, you would be in hospital, recuperating from severe injuries.
    .
    The worst aspect of your speech is not that but that they were uttered in front Mythree, the wife of Ranil. She is an honorable lady who wisely kept away from politics but accompanied her husband on this occasion perhaps reluctantly, as a matter of courtesy. I am sure she must have been shocked by what she had to listen to and the venom that accompanied it.
    .
    It was totally unfair. Not the chivalry expected form the top leader of a country. If the Queen of England heard about it, she would have washed her hand just to make absolutely sure that there was no contamination.

  • 3
    2

    Dear Mr. President

    Thank you for your honest and forthright speech. If what you say is really true, then the last three years have been really a tale of Bad Governance (not sure what the Sinhala word is, Yakkapalanaya will do for the moment). It is up to the people to decide if you are just making up the Bond Scam, refusal to investigate the assasination plot, and other things. It is rare that a National Leader reveals so much in so little time of the way the government has malfunctioned over the past few years.

    I see you have left the UNP to sink or swim just like President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge did back in 2001 to 2003. We know what happened then. It is a great test for the UNP to see if they can do what they are promising. I believe there are many capable leaders there but will not be allowed to come forward. So they might fail.

    I misjudged you, you really do believe in Yahapalanaya, something that is incredibly naive or incredibly couragous, I am not sure which, but it explains a lot.

    It is time to forge a cunningly calculated and successful campaign against the foreign powers that are interfering in our country (India forced us to cancel the order for fighter planes, so that we have an air force with only one fighter plane flying according to our previous Finance Minister) to quote one instance.

    Make deals with India, the United States and China, that is my advice. It can be done.

    • 2
      0

      Vanguard

      “(India forced us to cancel the order for fighter planes, so that we have an air force with only one fighter plane flying according to our previous Finance Minister)”

      I am not sure why exactly this island needs fighter planes. One of my “Elders” quipped once, the Fighter planes needed good braking system. By the way the wholesale slaughter of innocent people ended in 2009. Sri Lanka possesses other lethal weapons/killing machines.
      How, when, why, …… did India force this island to cancel order for fighter planes if you claim to possess sovereignty over this Historically Unitary State? Dr Mahinda is being feted for bringing sovereignty over North East.

  • 0
    0

    I stayed away from commenting so far as I did not understand the clip. Now from the comments of others, I think I have mild guess of it. It may not be much different from the speech he made after appointing Old King and dismissing Ranil.
    Saying “I did my part of consulting and Lawyers defended me in court” can take only two meaning. 1) The main one is the Lawyers consulted New King failed to win the case In the court i.e. downloading the blame of Coup on lawyers appeared in the court. 2) The matter was too complicated even to the expert Lawyers. Because the opponents’ lawyers won their case, the Lawyers consulted New King are not as good as opponents. That would leave that New King should change his lawyers.

    The Independent opinion of LawAsia was, “The Constitution is very clear” indicates the mistake made is very basic, silly and out of foolishness. That cannot be defended by lawyers, how expert they could be. New King should come forward to value LawAsia opinion honestly more than the racist Manohara de Silva and Jeyam Jeyam. That will help him to stay out of adding more legal menaces to his already heavy baggage. One should remember, when Nawaz Sharif recommend his Friend to Old King to obtain friendly consultation on UNHRC, the Pakistani Lawyer after reviewing the matters said “just comply with UNHRC request”. If that independent lawyer’s advice was immediately taken and Thero De Silva and highly charging defense lawyers like Desmond de Silva, David Crane, Geffrey Michael and others were ignored, now by the fear of UNHRC Ranil need not have been fired illegally. This is only commonsensical – rational action. There are no cases of toddlers willfully walk into fire and commit suicide. When they feel the fire, they use their level of logic and take steps back.

  • 0
    0

    Problem here is not the Lawyers defended the New Kings action. But it is the Coup. The open fight started between Ranil and New King when the PCoI report was released but PRECIFAC report was not released. But now he is trying to cover that PRECIFAC report was in errant. So this has nothing to do with the Lawyers’ advice or their capacity. The investigators of PRECIFAC too lawyers. They did not advice that their report should not be released. There was an NCM in April against Ranil. That was not attended by Old King. So saving the nation was just fraudulent explanation.
    These are not childish acts or matured acts. At some point politicians have to tell themselves that “this is it. I am ending fooling around with voters, here”. They shouldn’t keep thinking the listeners are only Toddler Modayas and going to accept or believe all the frauds that are coming out from the politicians’ mouth. New King must understand that the most popular politician of 2015, Old King, was defeated by a virtually unknown, a party less candidate, only by following few steps. He should think about how Old King lies were made to fail in 2015 election campaign.
    Justices are not going to give a verdict New King want unless a Sriskandarajah is murdered or Shiranee Banda is not fired. Unless a CC member is White vanned, CC will not appoint all what New King wants. New King likes it or not, that how the democracy work. Now he may understand what next to do. He should stop seeking impunity. He should stop blaming the Lawyers for his failure. He should stop saying “they did it so I too did it”. He should honestly face the court and set example for the future misbehaving politician.

  • 0
    0

    Sirisena,
    Now you know your top Lawyers got their basic understanding of the constitution wrong and therefore they are not Top as you thought. Now you better sack them and employ some of the Lawyers who appeared for the petitioners as they seem to understand the subject better. At least next time you will not fall in to fire from the frying pan.

  • 0
    0

    Who the top lawyers you say advised you? We saw them on the judgement day in black robes…Gamanpila! and Namal added to them was GL, so these are the people you consider as top legal advisers. It is in black and white as to when a dissolution could take place. Lastly how could you appoint a man as PM when he hasn’t got a majority in the house. Sadly you also watched the chili powder attack while the house was in session by the people you selected to govern us but never condemn this thuggery. You did everything that you wowed will never do even if you have to go back to Polonnaruwa, that’s including appointing Ranil as PM but you are still here glued to your chair! The whole country amused.

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