Speaker informs President of Confidence Motion results

Following the Vote of Confidence yesterday, confirming UNP MP Ranil Wickremesinghe as having the confidence of Parliament, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has informed President Maithripala Sirisena of the results officially.

In his letter to President Sirisena, the Speaker explained the background to the Motion and the channel followed in the House. “The Motion was in the order books for five days, as per Standing Order 27(3), and was taken up for debate. The vote was taken electronically, as per Standing Order 47 (2) B. MP Wickremesinghe having received majority votes, the Vote of Confidence was passed in favour of him,” Speaker Jayasuriya has held in his letter.

The Vote of Confidence, which resolved MP Ranil Wickremesinghe commands the confidence of Parliament to function as the Prime Minister, was filed by UNP MPs Sajith Premadasa, Ravi Karunanayake, Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, Lakshman Kiriella, Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, Palany Thigambaram, Mangala Samaraweera, and Rishad Bathiudeen.

The Speaker’s letter confirming results is expected to increase pressure on President Sirisena to reappoint Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister to realign the country, now in a crisis unable to move ahead in 2019 without a Government. However, President Sirisena has vowed not to reappoint him even if all 225 Members requested the President to do so. (AH)