Don't be like Hitler: sacked Lankan PM tells President Sirisena

Likening Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena to Adolf Hitler, the country's toppled Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe Tuesday said he was not afraid of snap polls but was against the use of referendums by "dictators".

Sri Lanka is going through a major political crisis since October 26 when President Sirisena, in a controversial move, removed Prime Minister Wickremesinghe and installed ex-strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa in his place.

The president later dissolved the Parliament and called for a snap election on January 5. However, the Supreme Court overturned Sirisena's decision to dissolve Parliament and halted the preparations for snap polls.

On Monday a lower court temporarily barred Sirisena-appointed prime minister Rajapaksa from performing his duties.

In his strongest yet statement against the president, the United National Party (UNP) leader said the United National Front (UNF) was prepared to face elections and they are "not afraid of elections."
"Those who talk of having elections without according to the Constitution are people who don't want elections. They are hiding under the cover of elections to try and hang on to the office..."