PM says will stop responding to President’s allegations

• Denies writing letter to appoint Solicitor General as SC judge 
• Says he has no such powers as PM, has never functioned in contravention of Constitution 
• Calls for investigation into Solicitor General’s statements to be fast-tracked  
• Says Solicitor General has never served at TT, President’s allegations incorrect 
• Claims is unaware why he has become target 
• Prefers allegations be discussed in Cabinet
• Says future allegations should be presented to State institutions 

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday denied allegations that he had sent letters requesting Solicitor General Dilrukshi Dias Wickramasinghe be appointed as a Supreme Court judge insisting that such accusations should be discussed in Cabinet and he will not respond to any future allegations by the President. 

Wickremesinghe responding to the latest statements of President Maithripala Sirisena argued that it was inappropriate for him to be repeatedly accused by the Head of State and stressed that if he or any Ministers have allegations levelled against them it better for them to be discussed at Cabinet meetings.  

He also said in a statement that any future allegations made against him will not be responded to and such accusations can be presented to the relevant departments for legal and procedural action.    

“The President has levelled allegations against me referring to the Solicitor General Dilrukshi Dias Wickramasinghe. I have not sent any letters requesting that Dilrukshi Wickramasinghe or any other person be appointed to the post of Supreme Court Judge. Therefore, the allegation that such a letter has been issued is false. As per the Constitution of Sri Lanka, the Chief Justice and the Attorney General are vested with the power to make recommendations to the President on the appointment of Supreme Court Judges.  

“I have never acted in contravention to the Constitution. There are Supreme Court decisions regarding those who act against the Constitution. I completely reject these baseless allegations. Dilrukshi Wickramasinghe’s statements should be investigated immediately,” he said.   

He pointed out that the Attorney General has requested the Public Service Commission to investigate the voice recording of Wickramasinghe. “It is appropriate to expedite this investigation. If Wickramasinghe is found guilty during these investigations, she will be able to reveal who these influential politicians are.”  

“Dilrukshi Wickramasinghe has never served at Temple Trees (TT) during my tenure as Prime Minister. The Anti-Corruption Committee was not set up at Temple Trees. Ananda Wijepala served as the Committee’s Director while Deputy Solicitor General Thusitha Mudalige represented the Attorney General’s Department during relevant discussions. Therefore, I would like to point out that what the President has said is not correct.” 

The statement went onto say that the Prime Minister was unaware as to why he has become the target of President Sirisena’s accusations and suggests that such allegations should be best discussed at Cabinet meetings. He also said that he will refrain from making any responses to future allegations and calls for complaints to be challenged via the State systems.  

“I am unaware as to why he is directing accusations against me in this manner following the announcement of the Presidential Election. If I or any of the Ministers have any allegations levelled against us, it is best to discuss it within the confines of the Cabinet. 

“It is my belief that public opinion should not influence the democratic nature of the Judiciary. If further allegations are levelled against me in this manner hereafter, I will not respond to them. Therefore, I call upon all parties to level allegations, if any, against me a democratic manner. I wish to emphasise that our Government operates within the confines of a constitutional and democratic system.”