President tells UN Secretary General:New Govt will continue to uphold democracy | Sunday Observer

President tells UN Secretary General:New Govt will continue to uphold democracy

4 November, 2018

President Maithripala Sirisena has conveyed to the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres that the appointment of Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Prime Minister was in keeping with the Constitution, the supreme law of the country, Government spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella told the Sunday Observer.

He said this development was a slap in the face on fear mongers who claim the country will be isolated by the international community due to the recent developments.

Speaking on the phone, the President briefed the UN Secretary General on Thursday, on the Constitutional provisions and parliamentary standing orders that enabled the Head of State to appoint a new Prime Minister and prorogue Parliament.

The standing orders provide for proroguing Parliament for up to two months. “I had a very successful telephone conversation with the UN Secretary General António Guterres last evening. I assured him that the appointment of the new Prime Minister has been done in keeping with the Constitution of Sri Lanka,” President Sirisena tweeted after his phone conversation.

He had met the UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka, Hanaa Singer, the previous day and apprised her of the prevailing political situation in Sri Lanka.

He said that at present Sri Lanka is carrying out its functions within a democratic framework and appreciated the assistance provided by the

UN at all times, a release from the Presidential Media Unit stated. “Malicious rumours are being spread to discredit the Government and I think this will put a stop to all that,” the Government spokesman said adding that, “Despite cries of foul play, the powers vested in the President in proroguing Parliament and appointing a PM is very clear.”

He said that the President met the Colombo based diplomats earlier, to apprise them of the unfolding political situation in the country. “Other than a few, with preconceived notions, all accepted the explanation provided by the President,” he said.

He added that one of the priorities of the new Government will be continuing the reconciliation and accountability process so that the country can clear its name once and for all. “It has been blown out of proportion, we need to go into detail and address genuine concerns,” Rambukwella said.

A statement issued by the UN Secretary General’s office on Friday, stated the UN Chief offered assistance to ‘facilitate a dialogue with all parties and allow the parliamentary process to resume as soon as possible’.

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