President Maithripala Sirisena breaks his silence & speaks his heart out!!!

From Asian Mirror inputs

Sirisena Shatters Rajapaksa's Prime Ministerial Dreams

President Maithripala Sirisena dealt a serious blow at former President Mahinda Rajapaksa's 'dream' of becoming Prime Minister, saying that if the SLFP wins the upcoming general election, he will have enough senior SLFP members to be appointed as Prime Minister.

Making a special statement this evening, Sirisena said that he was strongly opposed to giving nominations to Rajapaksa and is still opposed to it. However, he said that he agreed so that the party unity is preserved. "My opposition to Mahinda Rajapaksa stands" he said.

He also said that Rajapaksa is trying to prevent others from becoming Prime Minister.

Sirisea said that he wanted a parliament which will take forward the principles of the January 8 mandate, irrespective of the party.

'I Told Prime Minister To Ask Central Bank Governor To Resign': President

President Maithripala Sirisena broke his silence on the controversial Central Bank Treasury Bond Issue, saying that he asked the Prime Minister to ask the Central Bank Governor Arjuna Ranatunga to resign.

Giving a special statement this evening, the President defended many of his actions during the recent weeks including giving nominations to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

However, this was the first time the President spoke on the Central Bank issue, which has been the most serious point on which the opposition has attacked the government.

President Explains Reason To Dissolve Parliament

President Maithripala Sirisena explained his reason to dissolve the parliament in late June, saying that he wanted to undermine attempts to bring former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to parliament through the national list.

Giving a special statement, Sirisena said that he had to protect the government from the no confidence motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

If the no-confidence motion was passed, the government would have fallen.

The opposition MPs had demanded that the no-confidence motion be taken. They had further argued that if the government had fallen, a UPFA MP should be appointed as Prime Minister.

President Sirisena today explained that there was a plan to bring the former President to parliament through vthe national list in such an event. He took the decision to dissolve parliament so that the government does not fall at that time, he said.

President Sirisena Declares Neutrality In General Election

President Maithripala Sirisena indicated that he will not support former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in the upcoming general election and will help authorities conduct a free and fair election.

Making a special statement this evening, he said that he will make sure that his mandate will be honored and the January 8 principles will be fulfilled.

He said that he wanted to see a parliament where the majority is supportive of the January 8 principles.