UPFA wants majority Govt: not dissolution

Denies impeachment move against President:

Three top leaders of the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) on Friday said their demand is for the installation of a majority-led government, not dissolution of Parliament.

UPFA seniors, Prof. G.L. Peiris, Dinesh Gunawardene and Dullas Alahapperuma told Colombo-based foreign correspondents at the Taj Samudra Hotel, the UPFA commanded the majority in the House, indicated also by the number of signatories to the No-Confidence Motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Claiming there were many reasons for seeking the ouster of the Premier, the UPFA frontliners told correspondents that among the several issues, the key issue was that Prime Minister Wickremesinghe headed a minority government and, therefore, lacked legitimacy.

The UPFA trio said, a minority government was not in a position to pass legislation, specially laws that sought to introduce sweeping reforms to the electoral system, through the 20th Amendment to the Constitution. “Such can be done effectively by a majority Government and the SLFP/UPFA has the required majority,” former External Affairs Minister, Prof. G. L. Peiris reportedly said.

He said, the SLFP and the UPFA are keen to ensure the passage of the proposed 20th Amendment.

Prof. Peiris also said, with 112 MPs having placed their signatures on the No-Confidence Motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, submitted to the Secretary General of Parliament on Friday morning, the motion would be adopted within a few days, defeating the minority Government.

“When this happens, the Prime Minister and his Cabinet are duty- bound to resign. According to parliamentary practice, the President is required to then call upon a person who commands the majority in Parliament, to form the Government. The UPFA with the SLFP, commands such support. Its leader in Parliament should be asked to form the Government. Dissolution can be considered only when this option is exhausted and should be the last option,” Peiris said.

Explaining the contents of the No Faith Motion further, Prof. Peiris said the motion contained eight points. First, the appointment of Wickremesinghe was inappropriate due to the UNP’s failure to enjoy majority support in Parliament with less than 45 parliamentarians.

Second, under Wickremesinghe’s rule, economic development work has decreased and unemployment has increased. Third, the appointment of Arjuna Mahendran as Central Bank Governor was untenable, as he is a foreigner owing exclusive allegiance to Singapore and the bond issue had been conveniently swept under the carpet, giving Mahendran cover,” he alleged.

When asked if the Opposition would consider moving an impeachment motion against President Maithripala Sirisena, Prof. Peiris categorically denied any such move. “There is no discussion about it.”