Opposition Leader did not do his duty by the country at the time of crisis – President

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, speaking at a ceremony in Kalutara on Saturday said that Parliament was held in the week before May 9, 2022. A part left the Government and went to the Opposition. Some said that if Gotabaya’s government falls, the post of Prime Minister should be handed over to the Opposition Leader first. They also asked me about it. I also informed them that it is the tradition.

“But the Opposition Leader did not accept that responsibility. He had a duty to accept this responsibility.”

The President was speaking as the Chief Guest at a ceremony in Kalutara to mark the completion of 27 years in politics by SLPP National Convener Rohitha Abeygunawardena, MP, on Saturday.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and Gotabaya Rajapaksa, former Minister Basil Rajapaksa, National Organizer of SLPP Namal Rajapaksa, MP, and entrepreneur Dhammika Perera MP at the ceremony.

Former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and Gotabaya Rajapaksa, founder of SLPP Basil Rajapaksa, National Organizer of SLPP Namal Rajapaksa, MP, and entrepreneur Dhammika Perera, MP participated among others in this ceremony.

Addressing the gathering the President further said, “In the 27 years of Rohitha’s political career he has faced many challenges. The future could be even more challenging. He has successfully faced all these. A number of tough decisions could have been made. Supporting me two years ago must have been such a tough decision. Thank you for your support since then.

“In 2002, I got to know MP Rohitha. At that time I was the Prime Minister. Rohitha was a headache for us then. Whether he was in the Government or in the Opposition, he acted like that. He always showed that personal strength. He is a valuable person that a party needs. Such people are needed to lead a party.

The Maha Sangha

“This morning I was at the UNP’s Galle meeting. I will give the same advice I gave at that meeting to people participating in this meeting as well. The world is changing. Think anew. Don’t get stuck in old politics. From there we can proceed.

“I have seen Rohitha’s work from the Opposition as well as from the ruling party. This crowd has come for that. He never forgot the people of his area. The media asked me if I was going to Rohitha’s event. I said I was going. The media then asked me what I have got to say about Mahinda Rajapaksa. I said, ‘This is not his 27th year, but Rohitha’s 27th year.’

“Mahinda and I were on two sides. There is no need to retell the details of that long running battle. Why am I here now? I had more of a fight with Chandrika. But no one asks questions when I am sitting together with Chandrika.

A section of the audience

“After the 2020 election, we had the opportunity to talk about the situation in this country during the time of the Covid pandemic. I also spoke with the IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. She gave me a message to give to Gotabaya, the President. I gave it. I asked him to go to the IMF. Mahinda too agreed to that.

“I wanted to rebuild the country. I also did not want the value of the rupee to decrease. We were talking. It’s not a secret. We talked about how we can move the country away from politics. When President Gotabaya called the leaders of the political parties, only I and the Tamil parties went there.

“Parliament was held in the week before May 9. A part left the Government and went to the Opposition. Some said that if Gotabaya’s government falls, the post of Prime Minister should be handed over to the Opposition Leader first. They also asked me about it. I also informed them that it is the tradition.

“But the Opposition Leader did not accept that responsibility. He had a duty to accept this responsibility. We speak of democracy. He should read Ivor Jennings, right? He has clearly mentioned that the Opposition Leader should be given responsibility in the case of the resignation of the Prime Minister. He should find and read the books written by Jennings.

“The Leader of the Opposition did not do his duty to the country. My friend Anura was not to be found. For two days, people were looking for a Prime Minister. In which country did such a thing happen? You cannot run a government without a Prime Minister. The President should take advice from the Prime Minister.

“I did not ask for the Premiership. They asked for my support. Accordingly, I agreed to support. Even if Sajith had taken over the country at that time, I would have helped him.

“Mahinda and I have now completed many chapters in politics. When a country is in trouble, the main parties should work together. We have been fighting. But we have always come together when the country was in trouble.

“Since 1931, Sri Lanka is the only country in South Asia that has peacefully transferred power to the other party when one party was defeated without harming democracy.

“Our houses were set on fire. After that, many people asked me to come forward as acting President. I asked Sajith about that. I was informed that Sajith would contest the election and if willing, I was told to come as the Prime Minister. I thought how can I become his Prime Minister. I thought it would be better if I became the President. Anura said he would contest as well. When I asked GL, he said that he was not ready to talk. Then I talked to Mahinda. He promised to support. Is it wrong? Part of the SJB also voted for me. It’s not a secret. The majority of SLPP supported the Government. I am thankful for that. That is why I am sitting with Mahinda today.

“I am blamed for that. If Lord Sakra was in Parliament, I would have asked him. But he was not in Parliament, but Mahinda Rajapaksa was there. If Sajith, Anura and Gajendra Kumar had supported me, I would have taken it. Because I knew that the economy could be improved. We have now improved the economy. Eight billion dollars has been saved. Now we have to move forward.

“What will happen today if I had said no to the Pohottuwa’s support? Not only the oil, but also the coconut oil will disappear. Then the dollar will go to Rs. 450. We have to get help from someone and do the work. This is not the time to for party differences.”

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