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SLFP may accept an invitation for interim all-party Government on condition

25 Jul 2022

By Buddhika Samaraweera The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has stated that if an invitation is received for the formation of an all-party interim Government, it would consider supporting it on the basis of the Government’s programme for the resolution of the prevailing crisis situation, and holding of elections within a definite time period. Speaking to The Morning, SLFP Senior Vice President Prof. Rohana Luxman Piyadasa said: “There has been talk of forming an all-party interim Government, but the SLFP has not yet received an invitation to join such a Government. Even if we receive such an invitation, we will decide whether to support it or not on several conditions.” He mentioned that the SLFP is still of the opinion that an all-party interim Government with  limited Cabinet of Ministers should be formed and provide prompt solutions to the issues of the people in the face of the current economic crisis, which is the opinion presented by the SLFP during early days of discussion regarding an all-party Government.  “In the current situation, the country is not capable of maintaining a large number of Cabinet Ministers. Therefore, a limited Cabinet should be appointed. After that, a programme should be prepared to provide quick solutions to the problems that the people are currently facing. If we receive an invitation to join such a Government with a definite programme, we are ready to discuss it in the Central Committee of the SLFP and decide whether to support it or not.” added Prof. Piyadasa.  Speaking further, he said that if an all-party Government is formed, an agreement must be reached regarding the holding of parliamentary and presidential elections within a specific period of six months or a year. He said that President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who has not received a mandate even to enter Parliament, should think about whether it is appropriate for him to act as President.  Following the resignation of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa due to the massive public protests that demanded the same, Wickremesinghe was appointed as the President through a parliamentary vote. The newly appointed President appointed an 18-member Cabinet on 22 July. There are also reports that several Members of Parliament are to be appointed as Deputy and State Ministers in the coming days.


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