President has lost his capacity to think constitutionally -Ranil

(October, 20, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Speaking at the Janarala Rally at Anamaduwa, yesterday (19 Oct) UNP and Opposition Leader, Ranil Wickremesinghe said the President’s attempts to appoint an Independent election Commission of his own is a violation of the Constitution.

The favourite preoccupation of Rajapakse now is searching for ways and means to by-pass constitutional requirements, suppressing constitutional rights of the people and repressing freedom of expression, as he has fallen by the wayside in his programs and progress, and no longer can perform anything within the legal framework of the country.

Appointing Basil Rajapakse to the COPE is a move in that direction. Mr. Wickremesinghe also criticised the Government’s decision to abolish political parties that did not contest elections.

He warned that Jathika Sabha would have to launch a Philipine and Ukraine type uprising to force the Govt. to hold elections.

Mangala Samaraweera, Jahika Sabha convener urged all parties to think of the country casting aside Party differences, and to join to topple this Govt. which is a pain in the neck to everyone.

The recent publicity gimmick of the President rubbing shoulders with the buffaloes in the paddy fields calling the event as ‘Wap Magul’ did nothing beyond proving that he can win the buffalo votes at the next elections, he quipped.