MR won't resign until new PM is selected - Namal

Colombo (News 1st) - Following today's (Nov 13) Parliamentary proceedings MP's spoke to the media after exiting the chambers. Speaking about the no-confidence motion (NCM) that was submitted in parliament today, UNP MP Lakshman Kiriella stated that the MP's were only shouting and that no one opposed the motion. He went on to state that everything in Parliament happened lawfully and that standing orders can be suspended at any time and a proposal can be presented to Parliament afterward. MP Dayasiri Jayasekra had a different opinion, he noted that submitting an NCM after suspending standing orders is completely wrong. UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake stated that today's events showcased that Mahinda Rajapaksa does not have a majority in Parliament adding that their actions were undemocratic. UPFA MP Namal Rajapaksa stated that Mahinda Rajapaksa will not resign and if Ranil Wickremesinghe wants to be the Prime Minister, he can simply hand over a petition to the President with the signatures of 113 MPs. He stated that The President will appoint him the same way he appointed Mahinda Rajapakse. Meanwhile, at the end of the Parliamentary meeting, a proposal signed by 122 MPs was handed over to the speaker. The proposal reads, the extraordinary gazettes issued by the President removing Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Prime Minister, and dissolving Parliament was unconstitutional and is not valid according to the law. It further says, due to the above reasons, they do not have any confidence in Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse or his government. Issuing a communique this afternoon, the Speaker's office said, a copy of this proposal has been directed to the President to aid in making future decisions.