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Karu to make big comeback in Interim Government?

27 Apr 2022

 
  • Prominent role discussed for ex-Speaker 
  • Return likely via National List
  • Karu ‘ready to fulfil any role’ to develop SL
  BY Buddhika Samaraweera If an Interim Government is formed in the future, considering the critical situation in the country at present, former Speaker and incumbent National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) Chairman Karu Jayasuriya is likely to be given a leading position in it, The Morning learnt. Our sources indicated that in such a case, several parties, including groups that had recently left the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP)-led Government and since declared themselves independent in the Parliament, have agreed to facilitate his appointment as a Parliamentarian from the national list. In particular, both Opposition and Government groups have reportedly agreed to give him a top post in a future Interim Government, during the discussions that are currently being held on the formation of such. When contacted by The Morning to inquire about this, Jayasuriya said: “I have not applied for any post, but I know that people are talking about such a thing. So let us consider it if such a formal invitation is received. We are ready to fulfil any role to build the country as the NMSJ, which was founded by the late Ven. Maduluwawe Sobhitha Thera.” When queried as to whether any party had requested him to accept such a post, he said that it was difficult to comment on it at this time. Jayasuriya had served as the Colombo Mayor from 1997 to 1999 and as a Minister thereafter, helming portfolios such as Power and Energy, Public Administration and Home Affairs, Buddha Sasana, Public Administration, and Democratic Governance. He has also served as the Deputy Leader of the United National Party (UNP), and served as the Speaker of the eighth Parliament of Sri Lanka from 2015 to 2020. Following the defeat suffered by the UNP under the leadership of Ranil Wickremesinghe in the August 2020 General Election, Jayasuriya offered to take up the leadership of Sri Lanka’s once-biggest party. “In the backdrop of the current complicated situation, I have carefully considered numerous requests that came from many quarters. I have informed the party leadership and party seniors that I am capable of taking up the challenge to lead the party,” Jayasuriya said at the time. However, the former Deputy Leader of the UNP was never appointed as the leader of the party.


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