Marikkar urges RW not to deceive people by appointing sham committees

Saturday, 16 September 2023 00:22 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Says President Ranil Wickremesinghe lost his premiership due to the Easter Sunday bombings
Challenges him to conduct international probe into incident and reveal the truth
Asks President to handover Presidential Commission report to MPs and opposition leader
Claims RW will not be a candidate at next presidential poll

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP S.M. Marikkar addressing a press conference yesterday claimed the current President, Ranil Wickremesinghe, will not have the opportunity to run in the upcoming presidential election due to a lack of mandate.

“He has contested twice and faced defeat. On two other occasions, he stepped aside for different candidates. Wickremesinghe lacks a clear mandate. Moreover, he has been unable to gain the people’s support, particularly after raising tariffs and prices,” he said. Marikkar said Wickremesinghe’s premiership was lost as a result of the Easter Sunday attack in 2019, which led to the UNP losing power and dividing into two factions. “He claimed he was not called for security council meetings and he was therefore unaware of any threats. Hold an international probe and prove it,” the MP challenged.

He additionally remarked that if the President genuinely desires to conduct an investigation, he should provide the complete Presidential Commission report into the attack to Members of Parliament and the leader of the opposition.

Commenting on the decision to appoint a parliamentary select committee to inquire into the revelations made by the Channel 4 documentary into the Easter Sunday attack, Marikkar said what is needed is an international investigation.

He expressed the view that appointing a committee would be futile, likening it to seeking evidence from the very individuals being investigated.

“The truth cannot be unearthed by relying on farcical commissions and select committees. Members of Parliament do not constitute a panel of experts. Instead, specialists should be dispatched to thoroughly investigate the Easter Sunday attack and delve into this matter. Do not mislead the public by establishing so-called committees.” urged.