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Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has informed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe that the joint opposition is prepared to offer its full support to get the required two thirds majority in Parliament needed to abolish the executive presidential system, sources from the UNP headquarters in Sirikotha said.

It is reported that a powerful businessman with close personal ties to both Wickremesinghe and Rajapaksa had acted as the messenger.

However, a senior official from Sirikotha, when inquired about the possibility of an agreement between the Prime Minister and the former President to bring a motion of impeachment against President Maithripala Sirisena, dismissed such claims stating that they are ‘baseless’.

 Mahinda spoke to me – Ranil admits

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe admitted that he received a phone call from former President Mahinda Rajapksa during the press conference held yesterday (16), at the Temple Trees.

Rajapaksa had asked Wickremesinghe whether there was any truth to the rumours going around in Parliament that suggested that he was going to vacate the post of Prime Minister. Wickremesinghe had responded saying that those rumours were incorrect and that there is no such move in the offing.

Question - Did the former President call you?

Answer - He spoke to me last Monday.

Question - Minister Rajitha Senaratne had said that the former President had telephoned you and told you not to quit the post of Prime Minister. However, the former president said that it was a lie. Can you confirm whether you spoke to the former president?

Answer - He spoke to me last Monday. He was in Parliament at that time. He inquired whether there was any truth to the rumours spreading in Parliament about me vacating the post of Prime Minister. I told him there is no such thing and that even at this moment, I am engaged in some official work at the Prime Minister’s Office the Parliament. We discussed some other details after that.

Question - There were continuous allegations levelled against you stating that you had some kind of relationship with former President Mahinda Rajapakse while protecting him along the way.

Answer - I will not protect anyone. I know Mahinda very well. There is no other connection other than talking about things. I was able to speak to any Parliamentarian when I was Opposition Leader, the Prime Minister and the Leader of the House.

Colombo Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne ordered Former Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Arjuna Mahendran to appear before Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on or before March 08.

The time period given to Arjuna Mahendran to appear CID to make a statement terminated yesterday (15). Colombo Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne on February 05 issued notice on Arjuna Mahendran to appear before courts within 10 days. However, Mahendran, who is reportedly in Singapore, failed to arrive in Sri Lanka and to appear before CID by yesterday (14).

On February 12, Colombo Fort Magistrate granted permission to Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to obtain statements from Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL) beneficiary owner Arjun Aloysius and its Chief Executive Officer Kasun Palisena who are currently under remand custody.

The Court issued a written order to the Prisons Superintendent asking him to allow the CID to record the statements from February 13, 14, 15. Colombo Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne made this order after considering the request made by CID from Court, to obtain statements from the suspects for further investigations.

Source : Ada Derana

 It is reported that the Criminal Investigation Department is facing many impediments with regard to the arrest of suspects connected to the killing of senior journalist Lasantha Wickrematunga.

Although the CID has already identified a top ranking official of the Army Intelligence and other officers, they are being obstructed by a powerful person connected to the executive branch of the government.

A retired Senior DIG of Police and the then Crime OIC of the Mount-Lavinia Police have already been arrested and remanded in connection to the murder.

(Ravaya)

Joint opposition MP Kumara Welgama said President Maithripala Sirisena has assured he would consult the Attorney General and legal experts on the possibility of removing the current Prime Minister from his post.

The MP told made this statement to the media after a discussion was held between the President and the JO while adding that the President requested them to accept ministerial portfolios. “However we refused to do so,” he said.

Leader of the United National Party Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said the party will undergo a major restructuring programme in a bid to build a new generation of future leaders.

The Prime Minister made these remarks at a press conference held at the Temple Trees yesterday (16).

When questioned by a journalist about the prevailing situation in the party due to his long tenure as the UNP leader, the Prime Minister responded by reiterating that reforms would be implemented within the party to enable a new generation to take over the leadership.

The Premier emphasized that the current unity government would continue to administer the country while protecting the January 8th mandate.

In response to a question raised by the BBC on statements calling for his resignation, the Prime Minister said that he would continue to function as the Prime Minister according to the Constitution.

Co-Cabinet spokesman Minister Rajitha Seneratne has categorically denied the front-page news article carried out by Lankadeepa yesterday (15), stating that he did not mention anything even remotely related to what was reported in the newspaper.

Lankadeepa had published an article on the front page with the heading, ‘Cabinet reshuffle- President decides to allocate Finance, Law and Order to the SLFP: Rajitha says’, quoting Minister Senaratne at the Cabinet decisions press briefing held yesterday at the Government Information Department.

Issuing a media release, Minister Senaratne claims that the article in question was incorrect and said that this was a serious fake news article.

The Minister further said that anyone can find the full video of yesterday’s Cabinet press briefing by visiting the Government Information Department website to alleviate any doubts with regard to what he had said.

He further requested Lankadeepa to issue a correction giving the same prominence it did to the fake news article.

JO is now accusing the SLFP of not adhering to the main conditions agreed upon if the JO is to support an alliance government led by the SLFP.

Jo is said to have asked the General Secretary of the UPFA to inform the speaker in writing that the UPFA and UNP MoU is not cancelled.

However, as this has not been fulfilled yet with the National government still functioning the JO is now doubtful about discussions regarding forming a UPFA unitary government.

Could not even secure Duminda’s signature!

Meanwhile, though SLFP MP’s have claimed last night that they have secured 27 UNP MP’s signatures to appoint Nimal Siripala De Silva as the PM the fact that they have not been able to prove this claim has also upset the JO sources said.

MP’s who is said to be supporting the move has met Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe today to ensure that they would not carry out such an act of treason.

The group who are attempting to get De Silva appointed as PM have been unable to even secure the signature of SLFP General Secretary Duminda Dissanayake and 10 others.

SLFP General Secretary, Minister Duminda Dissanayake has said that no decision will be taken against the 8th January 2015 mandate given by the people under any circumstance.

JO being used!

Speaking regarding the current situation a senior MP of the JP expressed his concerns as to if the President is now using the JO to twist the arm of the PM into stepping down from his post.

Political sources say that the President's intention is to remove Ranil Wickremesinghe and make Jayasuriya the Prime Minister.

JO being used :

Speaking regarding the current situation a senior MP of the JP expressed his concerns as to if the President is now using the JO to twist the arm of the PM in to stepping down from his post.

Political sources say that the President's intention is to remove Ranil Wickremesinghe and make Jayasuriya the Prime Minister.

Karu’s stance :

Several representatives of the President including some UNP MPs’ have recently met Jayasuriya recently and called on him asking him to accept the post of PM.

It is reported that MP Chathura Senaratne, the son of Minister Rajitha Senaratne, is playing a pivotal role in this instance.

Several diplomats are said to have also enquired on Karu’s stance while requesting him to intervene to prevent a similar situation as that of The Maldives.

However, Karu is said to be of the stance that he will not accept the post of PM unless the decision is taken by the UNP.

According to sources Jayasuriya’s name was one of the initial names suggested by the President’s party during discussions to replace Wickramasinghe as the PM.

The Joint Opposition has informed President Maithripala Sirisena that they will support to form a UPFA government unconditionally, JO MP Dinesh Gunawardena said today.

JO stalwart Dinesh Gunawardena made this statement following a meeting with President Maithripala Sirisena at his official residence today. Several JO leaders were seen arriving at the Presidential residence for a meeting with the President.

Meanwhile, National organizer of the SLFP, Susil Premajayantha had met with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa today. He was earlier quoted as saying that if the present government continues as it is a majority of the UPFA members are unlikely to support it.

He is said to have informed Rajapaksa that they are ready to form a UPFA government after the removal of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. A committee appointed to execute further steps to form a UPFA government is said to consist of Minister Premajayantha and MP Dinesh Gunawardena.

JO MP Kumara Welgama said that the Joint Opposition will not accept any portfolios in a SLFP-JO government. He further said that President Sirisena will consult the Attorney General and legal experts on removing the Prime Minister.

It is reported that SLFP General Secretary Minister Duminda Dissanayake has shot down speculations which said that he is prepared to support former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in the event of a SLFP-JO government.

Dissanayake said that he is unwilling to stand with Mahinda Rajapaksa on principle as the latter’s policies had not changed to this day and will not compromise his principles simply to secure power and betray the January 08 mandate.

He had also reportedly said that it is better to walk on the street naked than to align with the nefarious and corrupt Rajapaksa regime. The Minister had made these remarks while speaking to his personal staff.

Presidential secretariat officials claim that the President’s wish is to appoint UNP MP Karu Jayasuriya as the Prime Minister and the country’s religious leaders are actively involved in the process.

Facing the current political scenario requests asking the MP to accept the post of PM in honour of Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera are putting great pressure on Jayasuriya, a website maintained by an official attached to the President’s office claimed.

It also reported that the President informed the current PM to step down after the SLFP parliamentary group conveyed their displeasure at continuing with the good governance government with Ranil Wickramasinghe at its helm.

However, according to the website the PM’s refusal to step down and his attempts to forcefully remain in the position has caused great instability of the government with the UNP risking the loss of power. As a result, if the good governance government is to continue it is imperative that the PM step down while handing over the position to Jayasuriya and he is now being pressured to do so the website further added.

The website has stressed that this is the only way to continue to the good governance government and for the UNP to stay in power.

 Karu’s stance :

 Several representatives of the President including some UNP MPs’ have recently met Jayasuriya recently and called on him asking him to accept the post of PM.

It is reported that MP Chathura Senaratne, the son of Minister Rajitha Senaratne, is playing a pivotal role in this instance.

Several diplomats are said to have also enquired on Karu’s stance while requesting him to intervene to prevent a similar situation as that of The Maldives.

However, Karu is said to be of the stance that he will not accept the post of PM unless the decision is taken by the UNP.

According to sources Jayasuriya’s name was one of the initial names suggested by the President’s party during discussions to replace Wickramasinghe as the PM.

Lawyers for Democracy (LfW) in statement today, clarified the constitutional provisions governing the appointment and removal of a Prime Minister, in view of the misinformation created after the results of the recent elections to local authorities.

As per Chapter VII of the Constitution, as amended by the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, the President shall appoint as Prime Minister the Member of Parliament who in the President’s opinion is most likely to command the confidence of Parliament. This provision comes into operation in case of a new parliamentary election or when the position of Prime Minister becomes vacant.

However, they point out that prior to the 19th Amendment, the President had constitutional power to remove a Prime Minister, but the 19th Amendment took away that power. Therefore, the President does not any more enjoy constitutional authority to remove a Prime Minister.

Following Parliamentary traditions, the only way to "remove" a Prime Minister is to successfully move a No-Confidence Motion against him in Parliament. Under the Constitution, the President has no role in such a process.

Once a Prime Minister is appointed, the only way in which he can cease to hold office is in terms of Article 46(2) if he (a) resigns his office by a writing under his hand addressed to the President; or (b) ceases to be a Member of Parliament, or if the Cabinet of Ministers is dissolved in terms of Article 48(2) pursuant to the Statement of Government Policy or the Appropriation Bill being defeated in Parliament, or upon the passing of a motion of no confidence against the government.

The Joint Opposition have pushed President Sirisena to appoint Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva as the Prime Minister the same way he appointed Ranil Wickremesinghe on January 09. The JO have pressed the President stating that he should do this if he has genuine intentions to form a SLFP led government.

A Joint Opposition leader, when inquired about the statement made by Vajira Abeywardena claiming that the President does not have the power to dismiss a Prime Minister according to the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, said that his party’s legal experts have pointed out that there are no such legal impediments, provided the President has a genuine need and the backbone to do this.

“A UPFA government existed when Maithripala became the President on January 08. Back then, there were 121 MPs in Parliament from the SLFP without the likes of Wimal and Dinesh. Only a few SLFP MPs like Duminda Dissanayake, Faiser Mustapha, M.K.D.S. Gunewardena, Rajitha Senaratne and Arjuna Ranatunga supported President Maithri.

There was a rumour going around that at that time stating that if Ranil were to be made the Prime Minister, D.M. Jayarathne should resign first. However, D.M didn’t tender his resignation. Ranil who commanded only a minority group of MPs in Parliament, was named as the Prime Minister. Only then did the likes of Mahinda Amaraweera join the government.

It is valid even now. The support of the people lies with us after the local government elections. The opportunity has presented itself now if the President has a genuine wish to proceed”, the JO MP added explaining his stance.

 What are your thoughts on the 19th amendment?

When asked about the legal issues raised by Minister Vajira Abeywardena, The JO MP said that the same conditions that applied to the post of Prime Minister then will also apply now, especially with regard to the 19th amendment to the Constitution.

According to the nineteenth amendment to the Constitution, The Prime Minister shall continue to hold office throughout the period during which the Cabinet of Ministers continues to function under the provisions of the Constitution unless he – (a) resigns his office by a writing under his hand addressed to the President; or (b) ceases to be a Member of Parliament.

However, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has strongly rejected calls for his resignation and has challenged the President to show the majority in Parliament if he decides to appoint someone else.

Pact between JO and SLFP

Meanwhile, The JO MP further said that the Joint Opposition and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party are expected to sign a pact today (16).

The agreement between the two sides will be signed at the official residence of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the JO MP added.