New President pledges system change

 Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

• It’s not democracy to  burn houses and takeover office of President and PM.  We will act against those who violate the law
• Says ready to listen to those who stage peaceful protests, and to the silent majority
• Also ready to deal with lawbreakers who cause destruction

By Yohan Perera   

Newly elected eighth President of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday pledged to address the needs of those who are staging protests calling for a system change and to deal with those lawbreakers who cause destruction.   

Mr. Wickremesinghe made this pledge whilst speaking to journalists after having engaged in religious observances at the Gangarama Temple in Colombo.   

“We are ready to listen to those who stage peaceful protests, and to the silent majority. We are also ready to deal with the law with those who create destruction,” he said.   

“I also pledge to end confrontational politics and work with everyone in Parliament. Those who protest and many others question as to why all political parties in Parliament cannot work together and bring a system change. We have to focus on these questions,” he added.   

“Asked as to whether the Rajapaksas are his friends, Mr. Wickremesinghe said they are not. “Do you see any Rajapaksas here. I have worked with Ms. Chandrika Kumaratunga. She belongs to one party and I to another. Just because I work with other political parties that does not mean they are my friends,” he said in this regard.   
Asked as to who would be the next Prime Minister, the President said he believes that the person who holds a majority in Parliament should takeover the post.   

•  -Pledges to end confrontational politics and work with everyone in Parliament