Bar Association’s Chairman Saliya Peiris tried to capture power during Aragalaya: President

• Recalls Aragalaya events, including attacks on Prime Minister’s office
• Says there was a non-politician who was waiting to come to  Parliament

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana  

President Ranil Wickremesinghe charged in Parliament  yesterday that the Bar Association and its former Chief Saliya Peiris  tried to secure power during last year’s Aragalaya.

  
“TNA MP M. A. Sumanthiran said there was an agreement  between parties and the Bar Association to abolish the Executive  Presidency. However, I never signed such a document. I got a copy of this  document and no party has signed it. We all remember what happened  during the Aragalaya in 2022. The Prime Minister’s office was attacked, and then they tried to attack Parliament. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa  had also vacated power by this time.  

I was asked to resign, and I said I  would if there is someone else who would command the majority in  Parliament. There was a non-politician who was waiting to come to  Parliament and obtain the premiership. I even heard that this person had  readied a suit. The then BASL President Saliya Peiris was trying to  become the Prime Minister? My residence was burnt, thinking that I would  run away. I was told that MP Eran Wickramaratne had questioned what  would happen if current Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa does not  accept the responsibility to form the government. Sajith did not accept  the offer, and I was told to take over the government and the  presidency. We can appoint a select committee to probe these matters,”  the President said in a lighter vein.   

Leader of Opposition Premadasa who responded later said  President Wickremesinghe should learn about separation of powers. “The  Executive, Legislature and judiciary has to function separately and  checks and balances has to be maintained. President should learn this  fact,” he said.   

• There was a non-politician who was waiting to come to  Parliament and obtain the premiership