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Ranil, Dullas, AKD: Who will be the President?

20 Jul 2022

  • Ranil proposed by Dinesh, Dullas proposed by Sajith
  • Sajith drops out to become PM under Dullas, promises 19A
  • NPP presents short-term plan including seeking overseas help
BY P. Waravita Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe, National People’s Power (NPP) Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Dullas Alahapperuma are the nominees for the Presidential ballot to be held today (20), after Opposition and Samagi Jana Balawegeya (SJB) Leader Sajith Premadasa pulled out at the eleventh hour to form an alliance with Alahapperuma, under which, if he wins, Premadasa will become the Prime Minister. In the Parliament yesterday, Wickremesinghe’s candidacy was proposed by Chief Government Whip Dinesh Gunawardena and seconded by former SJB MP Manusha Nanayakkara, while Alahapperuma was proposed by Premadasa and seconded by SLPP Chairman Prof. G.L. Peiris, and Dissanayake was proposed by NPP MP Vjitha Herath and seconded by NPP MP Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. Making a joint statement with Premadasa yesterday at a media briefing, Alahapperuma said, “Instead of working with opinions, we have tried very little to form agreements in Sri Lankan history. Today, the SJB and the Government built an agreement that the country needs. Therefore, I am happy to propose today as the day of unity. The country is facing a serious political and economic crisis. People are asking to change the political culture and ask MPs to join together for the public. Even as of yesterday, Premadasa wanted to run. But I thank him for making this great sacrifice. One leader or party cannot solve this crisis together.” Premadasa said at the media briefing: “20 million people are on the road now and instead of making the country a bloodbath, we are on a sacrificial path for the public’s needs and to protect the social, religious, political, and economic rights of the people. “We plan to introduce Constitutional reforms in the form of the re-enactment of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, and to provide for the civil society to participate in and engage with the political decision making process. Many parties are with us for this new journey,” he continued. Speaking after the nomination procedure in the Parliament, SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said that the people are expecting a change in the political culture and that hence, Premadasa is making decisions for the good of the country. When questioned by the media as to whether Premadasa will be the Premier under an Alahapperuma Presidency, Madduma Bandara said that “there is an agreement for that and to form an interim, all-party Government”. Meanwhile, SJB MP Eran Wickremaratne told The Morning yesterday, when contacted about whether SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva would be made Premier in an Alahapperuma-led Government: “First, we have to have a President. Once the President is elected, the President calls upon the Prime Minister, who will have the support of the House, and will then appoint a Cabinet of Ministers. We will be involved in a Government led by Alahapperuma. Alahapperuma will work closely and together with Premadasa on this.” Meanwhile, NPP’s Herath, speaking to the media following the Parliament session, said that the public, especially those who are connected to the “aragalaya” (struggle), are hoping to change the future of the country. “We represent the people’s opinions,” he said. In a press conference held yesterday, the NPP released its five-point plan for a short-term Government if it is to come to power. Its economic aspirations mentioned that help will be obtained from "foreign countries and organisations” to resolve the economic crisis. Following protests islandwide that culminated in a massive protest on 09 July at Colombo Fort demanding the resignation of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, he ultimately resigned on 15 July. The Parliament is due to select the new President through a vote, according to the Constitution, today.


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