Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has questioned if Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya did not know Sri Lanka’s Constitution, pointing out that the Cabinet of Ministers does not require the approval of state officials to make decisions.
Addressing an event, the former President questioned PM Amarasuriya’s recent statement regarding his Cabinet’s decision to increase public servant salaries, which she claimed had not followed the necessary procedures.
“PM Harini Amarasuriya says that the approvals of officials from the Treasury and Finance Ministry had not been obtained to increase public servant salaries. She says that the approval of officials is important for the Cabinet to function. From where did you learn the Constitution?” he questioned.
The former President pointed out that the Cabinet governs the nation and in no place in the Constitution does it mention priority to officials.
“If you want to know about the Constitution, let me know I will assist you, if not I can also inform our former Prime Minister,” he added.
Ranil Wickremesinghe revealed that his proposal had been signed by several officials from relevant departments, such as former Presidential Secretary Udaya Seneviratne, Director of the Budget Office Jude Nilukshan, Director General of Combined Services S. Aloka Bandara, Director General of Institutions H. A. Chandana Kumarasinghe, as well as the Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and currently Advisor to the President Duminda Hulangamuwa.
Displaying a document with the mentioned signatures of officials, the former President questioned what the Prime Minister meant by the former government not having obtained the approval of relevant officials.
Ranil Wickremesinghe added that this was why it was essential for seasoned politicians to be in Parliament, as the nation cannot be run by amateurs. (Newswire)
