"This mess up ... because Mahinda could not collect the 113" -- Maithri

"This mess up ...

because Mahinda could not collect the 113" -- Maithri

This is how President Maithripala Sirisena explained reasons for the present political crisis at the latest discussion with the Daily Mirror newspaper: "The manner in which members of parliament were marketed ... prices were in parliament no ... just like tenders were called. I am personally aware that some asked for 500 million. I my personal life ... a provincial council member is not even given a cent. I hard of something like this at first in about 1964.

I think this problem ... it is that Mr. Rajapaksa was not able to acquire the 113; the prices kept going
up. It is on the prices spiralling upwards that a situation like this dawned ... a mess up flared up. If Mr. Mahinda could cover that 113, this problem will not get dragged along this much. Neither will there be a political agitation. Then this court case which is presently being heard in Supreme Court about parliament being dissolved ... this definitely will be over tomorrow ... because with the judgement on parliament being dissolved ... this crisis also would come to an end. If a decision is given saying that a general election could be held ... then we can proceed on that line and this issue will come to an end. If on the other hand a judgement is given that parliament cannot be dissolved, I should take a decision to hold the parliament, by appointing a Prime Minister whom I wish. Mr. Ranil Wickremasingha has 224. no. Isn't there at least even one person for the parties he is talking of? In village parlance it is said that 'only in flight that the colour can be seen. So the colour of Mr. Ranil Wickremasingha also could be seen only in flight. When power comes into the hands ... however much he talks of democracy ... Mr. Ranil Wickremasingha is someone who failed to give democracy to his party.

During the past three and a half years ... not only as Prime Minister ... he even made use of my Presidential privileges. At times he didn't even care that I was President ... not even as a provincial council member. A number of departments worked to delve into the bond scam ... made investigations on police and crime investigating officers saying that Ranil was being obstructed. It is I who has to go 6 feet below the ground when that time period is taken into account.

The 19th amendment is good for the country ... it should be safeguarded. But there are some shortcomings in it on a political angle. That is why there is a parliament which is not responsible to anybody. What I say is that those blocks must me removed ... these matters should go to court. The handful of those who pledged their support to the 19th amendment in a hurry should be held responsible for this.

Now the President is paddling the country without a Prime Minister and ministers. With blessings of the gods and the triple gem there is no issue ... the country is moving on well without any worry as such. The reason for this is the good-naturedness of the masses. Everybody in the political arena belongs to that world. In the world of politics there are no permanent enemies or friends on a personal basis. Members of parliament criticised Speaker's procedure. But he has met me on about 15 occasions and settled several disputes. Because of his experiences I and he could settle these issues. If leaders of the UNP work like this ... this problem can be settled without letting it go this far".