President has no mandate; He was elected to protect 134 MPs - AKD

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Although the President attempted to push the idea that he accepted the challenge of leading the country forward through an economic crisis as there was no one else qualified to take up the challenge, the question remains whether he accepted it because he did not have a choice, or whether he was chosen to oversee the return of the Rajapaksas. 

Speaking at the Parliament, JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that the Rajapaksa camp was pushed against the wall, and they chose Wickremesinghe as the President to see them through the current crisis. 

"Therefore, he is not the one who accepted this challenge, but he is the chosen one," Dissanayake said.

He emphasized that he too remains ready to accept this very same position and challenged the President to hold an election to appoint a leader and government.

Citing the statement by President alleging that some political parties are ready to take power over dead bodies, Dissanayake challenged the President to name such parties.

"We have to accept that a Government and an individual cannot come out of this crisis. Society should be united for this. Society should be built on trust. In order to build social trust, a government that meets the will of the public must be established in an election. This is not a president elected by the people. This is a president elected by 134 of Parliament to save them," he said.

He emphasized that this kind of crisis can only be overcome by building a Government that the people can trust.