SLPP rebels: President’s strategy may jeopardise appointment of CJ, SC Judges, others

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Top Opposition spokesperson Prof. G. L. Peiris yesterday (23) alleged President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s actions could jeopardise top appointments that are made subject to the Constitutional Council’ approval.

The former Minister of External Affairs said so strongly criticising President Wickremesinghe’s decision to disregard the CC’s rejection of a third extension to IGP C.D. Wickremaratne. The CC consists of seven MPs including the Prime Minister, the Speaker and the Opposition Leader, and three civil society representatives.

Addressing the media at SLPP rebel group’s Nawala office, Prof Peiris said that President Wickremesinghe had declared his intention to pursue a contentious political strategy regardless of what the ex-minister called constitutional consequences.

The SLPP National List MP said that against the backdrop of Wickremaratne remaining in office regardless of CC’s rejection of the President’s recommendation, the powers that be had challenged the very purpose of maintaining such a body at public expense with his doggedness.

Alleging that the President had set the stage for a major confrontation with those who genuinely valued democracy, the academic pointed out the appointment of the Chief Justice, Attorney General as well as judges of the Supreme Court was subjected to the same constitutional provisions as the approval of a suitable person for the post of IGP.

Prof. Peiris alleged that the UNP leader had resorted to dictatorial strategies while assuring and reassuring the country and the global community of his commitment to democracy.

Prof. Peiris emphasized that under no circumstances the President ignored the stand taken by the CC in respect of a particular appointment.

Commenting on the sudden but minor cabinet reshuffle, Prof. Peiris said that public confidence in the health sector couldn’t be restored by replacing Keheliya Rambukwella. Alleging that once proud and efficient public health sector had been ruined under Rambukwelle’s watch, Prof. Peiris said that the President couldn’t pull wool over the eyes of the people by such gimmicks.

Prof. Peiris accused the UNP leader of quite conveniently forgetting why the parliament chose him as the President in July last year. Wickremesinghe was supposed to complete the remainder of Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s five-year term won at the last presidential polls conducted in Nov, 2019, MP Pieris said. Instead, Wickremesinghe sought to extend his term by postponing elections at all levels, Prof. Peiris said, alleging that the UNPer explored ways and means to put off presidential and parliamentary polls scheduled for 2024 and 2025, respectively.

The President feared the electorate so much his camp sought to convince the public the executive presidency could be scrapped and fresh electoral reforms undertaken in another bid to delay the anticipated electoral process, the MP said.

Prof. Peiris said that President Wickremesinghe in recent days gave an assurance regarding his intention to conduct presidential and parliamentary polls next year followed by and Provincial Council polls in 2025 after his efforts meant to put off presidential polls suffered setbacks.

The former minister said that the Attorney General on behalf of the government had to furnish an assurance to the Supreme Court regarding amendments for the ‘Online Safety Bill’ in the wake of strong opposition to the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government’s move. The AG assured the SC of 32 amendments to be moved at the Committee Stage while Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena told parliament the proposed Anti-Terrorism Bill was removed from the agenda. Pointing out that the government hadn’t been able to achieve its ulterior political objectives due to the Opposition backed by the civil society taking a strong stand against both Bills, Prof. Peiris dismissed Premier Dinesh Gunawardena’s move to initiate a fresh dialogue on electoral reforms, which he claimed was a politically motivated project to sabotage elections.