RW formally announces candidacy; insists Presidential poll be held by 21 Sept.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe 

• Says resolution of IGP appointment issue and election preparations to be finalised within a week
• Says elections are a fundamental aspect of people’s sovereignty and cannot be allowed to be violated
• Stresses absolute responsibility of everyone to support EC in conducting a free and independent election 

Having formally declared his candidacy, incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday insisted the Presidential poll must be held by 21 September with speedy resolution of the impasse between the Supreme Court and Parliament over the future of the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

Speaking at the ‘Jayagamu Sri Lanka’ Colombo District program at Homagama, President Wickremesinghe said issues regarding the appointment of the IGP will be resolved within a week through consultation with the Speaker and the Chief Justice. 

The President stated that he is fully committed to holding the Presidential Election on 21 September and will not consider postponing it beyond that date, as elections are an essential aspect of the people’s sovereignty and must never be violated.

Wickremesinghe highlighted that, according to Article 106 of the Constitution, the Election Commission has the authority to conduct an independent and free election in the country. He emphasised that it is everyone’s absolute duty to provide full support for this process. 

Having detailed the effects of the political and economic crisis in 2022 and measures to restore stability, Wickremesinghe said Sri Lanka now has the opportunity to emerge from bankruptcy. 

Addressing the gathering, the President further elaborated: “Some people thought we wouldn’t be able to recover as a country, that holding an election would be impossible, and that we would descend into dictatorship. Now, we are holding the election. Some others said I would postpone it, but I was the first to deposit the candidate’s fee to ensure the polls could be held on time.”

During the address at Homagama, he also said the following: “People ask me what will happen because of this crisis. Last week, a case was filed in the Supreme Court, claiming the system appointed by the Inspector General was wrong. An appeal and a request were submitted to the Supreme Court, as we need its approval according to the Constitution. It was stated that the appeal could be made in the traditional way, which is nothing unusual. However, the Supreme Court announced that the IGP would be removed from his post and suspended from work, despite there being no facts about it. But when you read it, you’ll understand that the Petition presents the facts and that a Petition has been submitted to the Supreme Court. The decision about the IGP has been based on the pending Petition.”

“The next day, the Opposition leader brought up the matter in Parliament. The Speaker was absent that day, but when he returned, the Prime Minister raised the matter again. The Speaker then decided that the Constituent Assembly is part of Parliament, and therefore, the Court cannot examine its internal workings. As a result, the Speaker stated that the appointment is lawful.”

“The Supreme Court says this is illegal and should be banned, while Parliament declares it is legal. With 21 September set as the election date, this situation could become a significant problem.”

“So, I discussed this with our Venerable Mahanayaka Theros, the Chairman of the Election Commission, and other leaders. They all agreed that we need to find a solution to this issue. We can’t let it collapse like this because it is the people who will be affected.”

“I view this issue from a different perspective. Rather than focusing on the appointment of the IGP or the Constituent Assembly meeting, I refer to Article 4 of the Constitution, which states that elections are part of the people’s sovereignty. We must honour this sovereignty. According to Article 106 of the Constitution, the Election Commission is empowered to conduct free and independent elections in the country. The period for holding such elections began on 17 July. It is our absolute duty to fully support the Election Commission in conducting this free and independent election.”

“Minister Manusha Nanayakkara inquired the Election Commissioner if my photo could be posted on this platform. They requested to remove it. This isn’t a problem for me. We need to have discussions and debates about this. However, the Supreme Court also had a duty to consult the Election Commission on this matter. According to Article 106 of the Constitution, the Election Commission has to request Police officers through the IGP, not from the DIG. This must come from the IGP.”

“Without an IGP, how can we secure the necessary officers? The required number of Police officers should be requested this week; if delayed, it will not be possible, and the election cannot be held. Therefore, this issue is very important.”

“Therefore, it was the Supreme Court’s primary duty to consult the Election Commission on this matter. Likewise, Parliament should have asked the Election Commission about these issues and provided a decision. The failure to do so has created a significant problem. I do not want the election to be postponed, and I am not ready to delay it beyond 21 September. I am determined to hold this election as planned. Vote for whomever you prefer; it is not a problem and it’s your right.”

“We need to stop going to Court now and find a solution. We must decide whether to defuse this situation or let it explode. We cannot allow it to blow up. It needs to be dismantled and deactivated piece by piece. Both Parliament and the Supreme Court must act accordingly.”

“Therefore, I ask that both the Speaker and the Chief Justice discuss and resolve this issue. I spoke to the Speaker in the morning, and he mentioned that he had sent a letter to the Attorney General and said he is ready to talk to the Chief Justice. I will also inform the Chief Justice to discuss this. We must solve this problem within this week.”

“Under Article 4 of the Constitution, the President is responsible for the country’s security. The Supreme Court punished President Maithripala Sirisena for failing to protect the country. We need the Police to ensure the country’s safety, and the Intelligence Division and the Special Task Force must be operational. What will happen if we lose these capabilities?”

“A new campaign to combat drugs is scheduled to begin this week, and it should start on time. Therefore, I declare that after discussing with the Speaker and the Chief Justice, this issue will be resolved and the Election Commission will be able to hold the election on 21 September.”