President mocks Opposition’s cry for election, saying it can’t even muster support for no-confidence motion

President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday in Parliament asked how he could hold an election in response to a demand by the Opposition which even could not muster support for a no-confidence motion against Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella.

 The President said that the Opposition had failed to take up the debate on the no-confidence motion on Health Minister Rambukwella this week. It was an Opposition, which was not even ready for a debate on a no-confidence motion. It had declined to take up the debate on the no-confidence motion, the President said.

“You want elections. How can I give elections when you are not ready even to take up a motion of no-confidence,” he questioned.

The President said there was a convention that when there was a no-confidence motion, it should be disposed of immediately.

“We are ready to take up the debate soon. We are ready to have it tomorrow, the day after and on Saturday,” the President said.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said the government wanted to debate it soon and finish it.

“We want a longer period of time. We want a three-day debate. The government wants to take it soon and finish it. Please do it properly,” he said.