IGP Pujith Jayasundara said he would only act in accordance with the gazette notification issued by President Maithripala Sirisena on the appointment of Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Prime Minister. 

"As the IGP, I can only act according to gazette notifications. Therefore, I have to work under the instructions of President Maithripala Sirisena who holds the position of Law and Order Minister, " the Police chief explained. 

Jayasundara convened a special press conference at the Police headquarters this afternoon, to explain his position on the matter. 

He said he was not in a position to accept the instructions issued to him by former Law and Order Minister Ranjith Maddumabandara who said he was still the "lawful minister" overlooking the subject. 

Madduma Bandara's statement was based on Speaker Karu Jayasuriya's conclusion that Ranil Wickremesinghe would remain the lawful Prime Minister of the country unless proven otherwise by a Parliamentary majority.