COLOMBO (News 1st); As President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is not in the country, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was appointed to perform and discharge the duties and functions as per the constitution, said Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena on Wednesday (13) afternoon.

The Speaker said that he was informed about it by the President.

Constitutional Provision cited by the Speaker:

37. (1) If the President is of the opinion that by reason of illness, absence from Sri Lanka or any other cause he will be unable to exercise, perform and discharge the powers, duties and functions of his office, he may appoint the Prime Minister to exercise, perform and discharge the powers, duties and functions of the office of President during such period.

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