UNF Parliamentarian Dr. Jayampathy Wickremaratne has observed that in appointing a Prime Minister the majority opinion must be the criteria not one’s personal likes or dislikes.

He was speaking at a media briefing at Temple Trees on Monday, December 03.

Wickremaratne continued that even in the past, the premiership had been given to persons whom the presidents did not like. Cases in point were D.B. Wijetunga appointing Chandrika Kumaratunga in 1994, Kumaratunga appointing Wickremasinghe in 2001 and Mahinda Rajapaksa in 2004, according to him.

He went on that sub clause 42 (4) of the constitution, the only provision in the appointment of a prime minister says the president should decide, upon proof, as to who commands the confidence of a parliamentary majority. In this case, the UNF has nominated Wickremesinghe to the position and the TNA wants the situation reverted back to the situation that existed before October 26.

He added that in such a context, President has no other option. If he does not do that, the president will commit the serious offence of violating the constitution.