Maithri, Ranil and CBK on same stage

Former President Maithripala Sirisena, on Wednesday (16th), stated that anyone wishing to understand why he had removed Ranil Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister in 2018, replacing him with Mahinda Rajapaksa, could approach him privately.

Speaking at the 45th National Conference of Chartered Accountants, where three former Presidents of Sri Lanka—Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Maithripala Sirisena, and Ranil Wickremesinghe—shared the stage, Sirisena noted that Wickremesinghe had been cordial with him during the event. However, he hinted that it would change if he revealed the actual reason for his decision in 2018 regarding the UNP leader.

“I could explain it, but I’m not sure Mr. Ranil would be pleased. If anyone wants to know, they can ask me privately. It wasn’t solely my decision, but I take full responsibility. Being a leader requires making tough decisions,” Sirisena said.

He further emphasised that for Sri Lanka to progress, it requires not just a clean President, but also an honest cabinet.

“The country cannot advance simply because the President is virtuous. The Prime Minister and the Cabinet must also be clean, with no room for corruption or fraud.

I reject the notion that the country has been corrupt for the past 74 years solely because of politicians. Politicians wouldn’t be able to embezzle without the complicity of bureaucrats,” he said.

Sirisena also stressed the importance of citizens playing their part in building a better nation.

At the same event, former President Chandrika Kumaratunga stated that her government had been the least corrupt since 1977.

Meanwhile, Wickremesinghe remarked on the difference between a CEO and a President, saying, “Steve Jobs could never have become President of the United States. Only Donald Trump managed to cross that line.” (RK)