President-elect Ranil Wickremesinghe says the government is responsible for formulating a new programme that will ensure the country’s way forward.
Speaking in Parliament after the announcement of the results of today’s vote to elect a President, the President-elect said the public does not want old politics and therefore Parliament must unite and work towards specific goals.
Wickremesinghe said Speaker of House Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana and he commenced their political careers together in 1973.
President-elect Wickremesinghe said it brings him joy that his victory was announced by the Speaker.
The President-elect said 43 years of his life has been spent in Parliament and thanked Parliament for providing him this honour.
President-elect Wickremesinghe added 31-years ago a similar situation occurred following the assassination of former President Ranasinghe Premadasa in 1993.
The President-elect said DB Wijetunga was elected without a contest while 15 MPs who contributed the win at the time are currently in Parliament.
President-elect Wickremesinghe said this was the only instance a vote was held to select a Head of State in Parliament adding however they were able to conduct and elect a President without any incident through discussion.
President-elect Wickremesinghe conveyed his gratitude to all Parliamentarians who worked towards his victory and for all other MPs who participated and voted at the election.
The President-elect said it is common knowledge that the country is facing great difficulties, and the country’s youth are demanding a change in system.
He claimed there also many issues in the world and Sri Lanka should ensure to move forward without getting involved.
President-elect Wickremesinghe called on MPs Dullas Alahapperuma, Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa, R Sampanthan, former Head of State Maithripala Sirisena, and CV Wigneswaran to unite in order to formulate a new programme to overcome all obstacles.
