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SJB, NPP both willing to lead interim government if President quits

12 May 2022

  • SLFP to back Premadasa, but doesn’t insist on Prez leaving
  • NPP proposes it be allowed to appoint interim govt. through Parliament 
By Buddhika Samaraweera Opposition and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader Sajith Premadasa has agreed to assume the post of Prime Minister in an interim government to be formed, while the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) proposed that it be allowed to appoint an interim government through Parliament, with both parties insisting on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa stepping down from his post. SJB General Secretary MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara stated that the matter was discussed at length during the meeting of the Working Committee of the SJB yesterday (11), and that Premadasa had agreed to take over the post of the Premier of an interim government, if the President resigns. He also said that other political parties that are members of the alliance led by the SJB have also agreed to Premadasa’s stance. Chief Opposition Whip and SJB MP Lakshman Kiriella also commented on the matter during a media briefing at the Opposition Leader’s office yesterday. He said: “Today, the post of the Premier is like a puppet. Parliament is an institution without any power. Therefore, Premadasa is not ready to be a puppet. So we ask the President not to bother us anymore and to resign immediately in order to get a fresh start. If the President resigns, Premadasa is ready to take over as the Premier.” He further added that the incumbent President has no recognition locally or internationally. Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) General Secretary MP Dayasiri Jayasekara, speaking to the media yesterday, stated that the SLFP is ready to support Premadasa if the latter takes over the leadership of a future interim government, as they cannot allow the country to descend into anarchy. “We look forward to holding discussions, especially with the leaders of the 11 political parties that are currently acting independently in Parliament. Therefore, instead of saying that the Premiership cannot be accepted until the President leaves, please take the lead and work at this time. Our goal is to find a solution to this crisis situation as soon as possible.” Meanwhile, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) yesterday (11) released four short-term proposals to immediately restore political stability in the country, including permitting them to appoint an interim government, stating that the NPP is ready to be responsible for solving the political crisis in Parliament.  “As a temporary governance structure, for the time being, we propose that the NPP be allowed to appoint an interim government through Parliament, since the NPP is ready to take on the responsibility of ending the current political crisis and anarchy, and taking the country on a new path,” the NPP said in a statement issued in this regard yesterday.  The NPP demanded that in order for this to happen, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa must resign immediately, and in the absence of a current Prime Minister, Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena should act as the caretaker President.  The NPP said that if the NPP does not get to appoint an interim government, then an interim Government must be formed in the current Parliament for a short period of time, in which case, the NPP MPs will support the initiative while being in the Opposition.  “The interim Government, which will be appointed in any of the above ways, shall perform the following functions. The 21st Amendment to the Constitution which limits the powers of the President and limits the term of the office of the current President, should be brought and passed in the Parliament immediately. Steps should be taken to provide much needed relief to alleviate the severe economic pressures currently faced by the people.  “An amendment to the Constitution to abolish the Executive Presidency should be presented to the Parliament and approved. A referendum should be held simultaneously with the General Election for the Constitutional amendment to abolish the current Executive Presidency, so that a new Government can be established within six months of the formation of the caretaker Government,” said the statement.  Thus, the NPP stressed that a new Government should be formed within six months with a new mandate, through an election.  JVP and NPP Leader MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake presented these proposals at the NPP media briefing held yesterday.  When questioned as to the funds needed for an election, Dissanayake said that the Election Commission has stated that only about Rs. 13 billion is needed in order to conduct a General Election, which he said “is not a huge amount of money for a Government”.  “The economic package presented by former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa amounted to Rs. 39 billion. Even money printing is more than Rs. 13 billion. To regain political stability, we must spend a little bit. The harm caused to the economy at the moment due to political instability is far greater,” he said.  Furthermore, the NPP said that an advisory body with oversight should be appointed to oversee the functioning of the interim Government, as agreed.  “It should consist of representatives of the people's struggle, religious leaders, representatives of various professional organisations and civil society organisations, and trade union representatives involved in the current people's movement,” said the statement.  Meanwhile, Dissanayake said that immediate steps also need to be taken to solve the current unrest at hand as well, as the country has been under curfew law for the past three days, with no Government but only a President – who is not accepted by the people – to rule the country.  “The road to violence was paved by former Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa bringing thugs to the Temple Trees and assaulting peaceful protestors. Thus, the first thing to do is that the Temple Trees’ conspirators, including Mahinda Rajapaksa, Pradeshiya Sabha politicians and former Ministers who used their power to plan the events of that day, must be arrested,” said Dissanayake.  Dissanayake noted that although the people’s struggle is a just one with fair demands, it has been turned into a violent one with looting, as it has developed into one where private revenge is being exacted.  “Thus, law enforcement authorities must act within their responsibility and duty to stop these developments,” said Dissanayake. He further said that the people have a responsibility to ensure that they do not turn to violent action, aided and abetted by those with vested interests.  “You have been struggling for months to satisfy your demands. Thus, we must make sure that those with vested interests, who encourage, aid and abet violent actions, are not supported,” requested Dissanayake.


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