Ranil takes a fresh dig at FT in Parliament

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe on Saturday making a statement in Parliament took a fresh dig at the Daily FT, this time around over the comments made in the popular “FT Politics” column that appeared on Thursday.

Following are excerpts from Wickremesinghe’s statement:

As you are aware, a Resolution under Article 107 of the Constitution has been given in respect of the Chief Justice and the House today is in exercise from the time it was given of its judicial functions.

Unfortunately, some of the media have been making various insinuations. I’ve got one which is in the Financial Times which states that I either have some grudge against the Chief Justice on the 18th Amendment or that I am talking with the President and so many other things.

As far as I am concerned and my party – this is a judicial matter on which we are not going to comment. We should not be asked to comment – this is not normal like the Budget. And I have said, media can always write whether it is good or bad, even the Financial Times.

I have no specific grudge against the Chief Justice about the 18th Amendment but I have been a vocal critic of the Supreme Court for what I say have been the fact that they have taken away the Fundamental Rights of the people. On that others may disagree, but on that I stand.

Similarly, I have also praised the Supreme Court on certain judgments like the Appropriation Bill and the Z score. But as far as I am concerned, I’d like to say that it is best if the media stops bothering us as to why we are voting for or against or anything. We still have not decided on the procedure, we are meeting you only on Monday. So I think you will have to give some statement.

I will criticise the Supreme Court like I criticised the Financial Times for not talking about KRRISH building, covering it up and not putting the facts outside there. So if they don’t do their duty, it’s useless asking us. Media can comment as to what they have to do, without talking about the position of the person concerned, the Chief justice or any of the other names that are mentioned.

I found that the Daily News – I will send that copy to you – has been saying that the CJ is guilty. Now they are trying to do our job before we have done that. So I think you will have to warn the media, tell these people to correct it and lay down some guidelines till we finish this, otherwise the media has become a nuisance to us. I mean, let them say what they have to say, no need to be asking us.