UPDATE: Former President Maithripala Sirisena did not receive the support of the government and his own party (SLFP) since the beginning of his tenure in 2015, said former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.
He was testifying before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) probing the Easter Sunday attacks yesterday.
Wickremesinghe was responding to a statement made by former President Sirisena before the PCoI on Monday.
The former President told the Commission on Monday that he received the support of Parliament and the Government only for the first six months of his tenure.
However, Wickremesinghe said it was him, who intervened to get Sirisena the necessary support of the other parties.
Wickremesinghe said Sirisena was fielded as the Common Presidential Candidate in 2015 following the refusal by former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and others in the United National Party to contest that election.
There was an objection from various parties such as Late Most Ven. Maduluwawe Sobhitha Thera for Sirisena holding the Chair of the SLFP as the President, the former Prime Minister said and also added that Sirisena was never able to get more votes in matters such as passing bills.
Testifying further, Wickremesinghe said the Oluvil Declaration of 2003 and the establishment of the South Eastern University was helpful to set the Muslim community apart from the Tamil people and also to get intelligence information to defeat the Liberation of Tamil Tigers’ Eelam (LTTE). He said although it was made public in 2003, this declaration had been in discussion even before.
Wickremesinghe’s testimony will be continued on October 13 as it was confined for one and a half hours yesterday due to his health concerns.
Fmr. PM leaves PCoI after recording statement - UPDATE-12:05
Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had recorded a statement with the police unit of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry investigating into the Easter Sunday attacks this morning.
One and a half hours statement was recorded from him.
Fmr. PM Ranil arrives before PCoI - 10:00
Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, has arrived before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) probing into the Easter Sunday attacks today.
