"Ready for any constitutional election" --Ranil

"Ready for any constitutional election" --Ranil

Addressing the rally in Colombo, leader of United National Party Mr. Ranil Wickremasingha said that he is ready for any election ... but that it should be conducted in a constitutional framework. Prime Minister Ranil's wife, Maithri Wickremasingha stood by his side until his speech was over.

Addressing the rally, Ranil further said: "The youth both and the old question us as to what the future of this country is going to be like. We all are dedicated to the objectives of 8th of January. That

objective has been realised. Though the President has separated from us, we have not. If representatives goes beyond the mandate ... they will be removed. Today they ask as to what is going to happen. We will protect the democracy and parliament of 85 years. Appoint a government at the next election. Something that should not have happened has taken place. We presented the 19th amendment and confirmed authoritative powers in parliament. The President kicked aside the parliament. We protected the parliament from it.

Supreme Court issued an interim order against dissolving parliament. If they had any support they should have brought a proposal. But it was not done. Anura Dissanayaka brought a proposal ... and the majority gave their vote. In any case a document containing 122 signatures was sent to the Speaker. The Speaker forwarded it to President. The President cannot reject it ... tried to assault the Speaker ... threw water on Speaker's chair. The Speaker kept his calm. The parliament has gained victory. Therefore we will not allow parliament to be trampled. Some say that a minority government can go its course. If there is a challenge ... we should go for an election.

We are prepared to show our majority. It is not a question. Let us take a vote and move forward. We like to protect the rights of the masses. We are not scared to face an election. A vote cannot be exercised against the constitution. What we say is to take a lawful vote. We will establish a government and we are prepared to get all parties together and go for an election. We are prepared for a Presidential Election too. We are prepared to take this government along and invite all parties and contest an election. That should be done according to the constitution. We cannot let anybody set aside the constitution and then to proceed. There was nothing that was not done by us. If I was to read out the list ... you may have to wait till morning.

Sirisena - Rajapaksa clan has lost in parliament now and is cornered. What they have is the executive power and the media. Now we will abolish that executive power also. We will launch a public protect across the country and protect the parliament. Now get ready to join the protests".