Colombo, April 30 (UNI) Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has reportedly requested former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to join the ‘National Council’ to be set up for forming an all-party interim government, as the country grapples with an unprecedented economic and political crisis.
The President has taken the decision to appoint the National Council with the participation of political party leaders in Parliament as an initial step in forming a National Consensus Government.
A few weeks ago, government officials had requested Ranil Wickremesinghe to take over as Prime Minister. The UNP leader had said he was prepared to do so, even in this crisis, only if it was the will of the public.
However, the former Prime Minister had stated he also agreed to extend his fullest support to rebuild the country even if he did not accept any post. Meanwhile, it is reported that Western countries have offered to support Wickremesinghe if he becomes the Prime Minister.
In a related development, reliable sources said that a discussion had taken place on Thursday between the President and Yoshitha Rajapaksa, the second son of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, news reports said.
The President had reportedly pointed out that during crucial times, even the military takes a strategic step backwards to prepare for the next mission.
He had urged PM Mahinda Rajapaksa to act in a similar manner and cooperate by stepping down if the Rajapaksa politics are to continue. Following this, Shashindra Rajapaksa, Mahinda’s nephew, has held a discussion with the President alone. Meanwhile, a special discussion was held between President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and leaders of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) on April 29 night.
The event was attended by SLPP National Organiser Basil Rajapaksa, Party Chairman G.L. Peiris, Party Secretary General Sagara Kariyawasam and Party Media Secretary Sanjeewa Edirimanna. The SLPP had informed the President that the Party was paying attention to the proposals made by the Chief Prelates of Buddhism to resolve the current crisis in the Country, Kariyawasam said.
He added that a request was made to the President to submit them the proposals tabled by the Independent Parliamentary Group for the formation of an all-party government.
The SLPP Secretary General added that his party will be focusing its attention on the country and that they will be working expeditiously with the President in this regard. In a related development, former Media Minister Dullas Alahapperuma has reiterated calls to form a “new” Government.
Alahapperuma tweeted saying that at the Government Group meeting held with President Rajapaksa on the present situation, he had reiterated his position on forming a “new” government without further delay.
He said the new Government will be able to properly handle two main issues at focus, which are, the economic recovery plan and constitutional amendments.
Alahapperuma had earlier said that the Prime Minister and the Cabinet must step down and let Parliament form a new coalition Government with a clear national agenda to overcome the current challenges together.
