People’s well-being, my top priority, says former PM | Sunday Observer

People’s well-being, my top priority, says former PM

16 December, 2018

Former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa decided to step down following Friday’s outcome in the Supreme Court upholding the continuation of the Stay Order against the Government, MP Bandula Gunawardena said, adding that his intention was to prevent a financial crisis.

Addressing the media shortly after former Premier Rajapaksa said that he was stepping down from office of PM, he said, “A different outcome could have been expected if the stay order was lifted and the government was allowed to function pending the Supreme Court ruling.”

He said the Stay Order prevented the Government from presenting a Vote on Account to ensure that funding for State sector operations are uninterrupted, in the absence of a national Budget being presented in Parliament last month.”

Following a case filed by the United National Front and 13 other interested parties claiming that the appointment was not Constitutional, the Appeal Court issued a Stay Order on the Government. The former premier appealed to the Supreme Court, but on Friday the Court did not freeze the Stay Order despite fixing the case for January.

Former PM Rajapaksa amidst a large gathering of SLPP and SLFP Members of Parliament at his residence yesterday morning signed a document symbolising his resignation from the portfolio. Later he addressed the nation outlining the reasons for his action to step down.

Gunawardena said the former PM did not wish to let the people undergo immense suffering in the event a Vote on Account was not presented in Parliament before January, the new financial year for the government.

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