Maithri recounts coalition cracks and origins of NCM against PM

• Claims exit was first mooted late last year but decision deferred as LG polls loomed
• Challenged SLFP and UNP dissidents and JO who wanted PM out to show majority constitutionally
• Distances from claims made by pro-NCM SLFPers
• Says NCMs normal in a vibrant democracy and people need not be overly concerned
• Denies international pressure on him to ensure NCM was defeated
• SLFP Central Committee meeting on Monday to deliberate party’s conduct during NCM vote 

President Maithripala Sirisena revealed on 5 April that cracks within the Coalition Government appeared long before the outcome of the 10 February LG polls. 

“Breaking away from the working arrangement between the UNP and SLPF was first mooted late last year, with several SLFPers insisting they must leave the Government. However, since LG polls were coming up, the decision on the proposal was deferred,” the President told the breakfast meeting with editors and media heads. 

He said, following the LG polls, even the UNP leadership came under pressure which saw Joint Opposition and likeminded dissidents from both the SLFP and UNP campaigning to oust the Premier Wickremesinghe and appoint a new person commanding the majority of the MPs in Parliament. 

“My advice to those who requested me to appoint a new Prime Minister was show your majority constitutionally,” Sirisena said, indicating the background to the No-Confidence Motion against the Prime Minister. 

At yesterday’s meeting with the media, President Sirisena diplomatically insisted he was not for or against the No-Confidence Motion, but allowed the Parliamentary system to decide. He also said that No-Confidence Motions against the head of the government or a minister were normal in a vibrant democracy and people need not get overly carried away by it. He recalled that during his recent State visit to Tokyo, there were strong protests calling for the Japanese Premier to resign as well. 

“Anyone can say anything. Some said the right things, others didn’t, but I don’t take any personal responsibility for any of those statements,” Sirisena said, in response to a poser by media over claims by some SLFP Ministers that they voted for the Joint Opposition-led No Confidence Motion in keeping with the party decision or as advised by the President as he could not work with the Premier.

Sirisena recalled that at the 2015 general election, the UNP and the SLFP contested separately but came together to work as a government in the national interest. 

However, he said whether or not any action needed to be taken against the SLFPers who voted in favour of the No-Confidence Motion, and the role of and the way forward for the party within the Coalition Government, would be deliberated on Monday when the Central Committee meets. 

The President also denied speculation that there was international pressure to ensure that the No-Confidence Motion was defeated. “No country or foreign institution spoke to me,” Sirisena claimed.