News

The 10 political parties that quit the previous government and became independent have decided to remain in the opposition and function as an independent group, says MP Wimal Weerawansa.

Speaking during a press briefing today (13), the former minister however stated that they have no intention of sabotaging any administration that is established under the new prime minister.

“We do not intend to sabotage the administration that will be established, or refrain from supporting any good this it does, or to engage in hate politics,” the leader of the National Freedom Front (NFF) said.

“Therefore, all the members belonging to the 10-party alliance will remain in the opposition as an independent group and support the good steps of the government. But we will not allow the country to become anarchic,” he added.

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader MP Udaya Gammanpila stated that as long as PM Ranil Wickremesinghe works to “rescue the country from the abyss” they would extend their support while remaining in the opposition.

“This country needs a government. We will not make any attempt to topple the government,” the former minister said.

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that a new Prime Minister and Government that can command a majority in Parliament and can gain the confidence of the Sri Lankan people will be appointed this week.

The President also said that after appointing the new Prime Minister, and Government a constitutional amendment will be moved to enact the content of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which will vest more powers with the Parliament.

” The new government’s Prime Minister will be awarded the opportunity to produce a new program and take this country forward,” said the President.

Commenting on the calls to abolish the Presidency, Rajapaksa said that the new government, after establishing stability in the country, will be allowed to discuss the matter with all parties and adopt the necessary measures.

“At this time while protecting the people and property, and without allowing the country to fall, I request your support to continuously maintain the state mechanism to provide what is necessary for the day to day lives of the people,” said President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Speaking on the violence that took place in the nation earlier this week, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa vehemently condemned the root cause of the violence and said that the Inspector General of Police has been instructed to conduct investigations.

“The murders, assaults, acts of intimidation, destruction of property, and the series of heinous acts that followed cannot be justified at all,” said the President.

“From the moment these events took place, the Defence Secretary, Commanders of the Armed Forces, The Head of Intelligence, as well as the Security Council was convened and measures were taken to bring calm to the country,” he said, while stressing that the topmost responsibility of the government is to ensure the security of all citizens.

The President also said that Sri Lanka Police and Three-Armed Forces have been ordered to strictly enforce the law against those who cause violence.

“Steps will be taken to strictly enforce the law against those who planned, aided, promoted, and are connected to these events,” said President Gotabaya Rajapaksa while urging everyone to step away from acts of sabotage.

He also appealed to all responsible citizens in the country to strongly condemn the acts of those who try to spread hate.

(News 1st)

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe assumed duties this morning at The Prime Minister’s Office. Addressing the staff, the Prime Minister stated that his sole purpose as Premier was to ensure the recovery of the country’s economy.

The Prime Minister held preliminary talks with foreign envoys representing India (His Excellency Gopal Bagley) Japan (His Excellency Mizukoshi Hideaki), United States of America (Her Excellency Julie J. Chung) and China (His Excellency Yi Xianliang).

Discussions with the Indian High Commissioner focused on the measures being taken for economic recovery, while the High Commissioner promised to continue to assist Sri Lanka.

The Japanese envoy also pledged their continued support towards the stabilisation of Sri Lanka’s economy. The Japanese Ambassador to visit Tokyo tomorrow.

Both envoys discussed the measures being taken to gather support from other foreign nations to help the Sri Lanka’s economy.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe discussed the upcoming visit of the U.S’ treasury team with the U.S. Ambassador. The meeting also broached on the subject of the 19th Amendment and the strengthening of the oversight committees in Parliament.

The Chinese Ambassador, when meeting Prime Minister Wickremesinghe, expressed his country’s willingness to continue to support Sri Lanka while also pledging to review existing assistance provided to the country.

The Prime Minister also spoke to the British High Commissioner (Her Excellency Sarah Hulton) prior to her departure back to the U.K. She was scheduled to brief the British Government on the situation in Sri Lanka.

Separately an emergency meeting was held with the attendance of former Ministers Kanchana Wijesekara and Susil Premajayantha along with Sagala Ratnayake and senior officials from the Ministry of Energy and Ministry of Petroleum Resources. Discussions focused on the prevailing energy crisis in the country and the measures that can be taken to ease the burden on the public.

Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe he will step down from the post if political stability is not achieved within the next week or two.

“I took on this responsibility with expectations that political stability will be established within two weeks since the Mirihana incident. It’s been more than a month with no progress. I do not wish to continue in this post if political stability is not achieved,” he said in this regard.

Addressing a press briefing in Colombo today (11), Weerasinghe noted that if the ongoing crisis continues in Sri Lanka with no government in place, the situation is likely to worsen.

“If the current situation continues in the next two days, we could have 10 to 12-hour power cuts daily, massive shortages of fuel, and other essential items further deteriorating the current situation,” he said, adding that political instability will only further worsen the current crisis,

Deputy Leader of the United National Party (UNP) Akila Viraj Kariyawasam says that discussions are underway regarding the release of Ranjan Ramanayake who is currently imprisoned.

He was speaking at a media briefing at the Sirikotha party headquarters.

Kariyawasam said as those who have committed graver acts have been released, the request for Ramanayake’s release is very reasonable.

Short-term proposals by the National People’s Power to end the current political crisis and bring about political stability in the country.

1. Incumbent President Gotabhaya Rajapakse should step down immediately.

2. In the absence of a current Prime Minister, the Speaker should act as the Caretaker President.

3. As the present government and the composition of the present parliament no longer represent the people’s mandate, and the people’s confidence in the government has been lost and the people will not accept any change made in the present parliament, a new government should be formed within 6 months with a new mandate. As a temporary governance structure for the time being we propose the following:

a. Allow the National People’s Power to elect an interim government through Parliament since the National People’s Power is ready to take on the responsibility of ending the current political crisis and anarchy and taking the country on a new path.

b. If not, form an interim government in the current parliament for a short period of time. In that case, the members of the National People’s Power will support the initiative while in opposition

4. The interim government, which will be appointed in any of the above ways, shall perform the following functions.

i. The 21st Amendment to the Constitution, which limits the powers of President and limits the term of office of the current President, should be brought and passed in Parliament immediately.

ii. Steps should be taken to provide the much-needed relief to alleviate the severe economic pressures currently faced by the people.

iii. An amendment to the Constitution to abolish the executive presidency should be presented to the Parliament and approved.

iv. 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.

v. An Oversight/Advisory body 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 organizations and civil society organizations, including trade union representatives involved in the current people’s movement.

National People’s Power

11 May 2022

E.M.S.B. Ekanayake has been appointed as the new Secretary to the Prime Minister.

Ekanayake received his appointment letter from President’s Secretary Gamini Senarath at the Presidential Secretariat this afternoon (12).

He has functioned as the Secretary to the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on three occasions previously.

The Curfew currently in place has been extended until 7:00 a.m Thursday (12).

The curfew had been imposed in accordance with the provisions of Section 16 of the Public Security Ordinance from 7.00 pm yesterday (09) while it was initially expected to remain in effect until 7.00 am today (10).

However, it was extended until tomorrow and has now been further extended until Thursday morning.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has said he looks forward to working together with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe ‘to make Sri Lanka strong again’.

Taking to Twitter to congratulate the newly appointed Premier, Rajapaksa applauded Wickremesinghe for ‘stepping up to take on the challenging task of steering our country through a very turbulent time’.

Wickremesinghe was sworn in as the 26th Prime Minister of Sri Lanka before the President a short while ago, after Mahinda Rajapaksa stepped down from the post following the unrest on Monday (09).

Armed forces have been ordered to open fire at any person involved in looting public property or causing physical harm to others.

The order was issued by the Ministry of Defence a short while ago (10).

The ongoing islandwide curfew will be lifted for eight hours tomorrow (13), the President’s Media Division (PMD) announced.

Accordingly, curfew will be lifted at 06:00 am tomorrow, and will be reimposed at 02:00 pm, till 06:00 am on Saturday (14).

An islandwide curfew was imposed at 07:00 pm on Monday (09), after violent protests broke out near Temple Trees, Galle Face and in several other areas across the country.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has condemned the violent acts that are taking place in the country as hundreds of Rajapaksa loyalists attacked unarmed protesters camping outside the president's office at Galle Face.

"Strongly condemn the violent acts taking place by those inciting & participating,irrespective of political allegiances," the President said on Twitter, adding that "violence won’t solve the current problems."

The president also requested all citizens to remain calm and exercise restraint and urged everyone to work together in solving this crisis.

"Entire Govt must resign" - Ranil

Pointing out that there is no law and order in the country today, former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said that not only the Prime Minister but the entire Government must resign.

Issuing a statement in the wake of the barbaric attack that was unleashed on peaceful protestors by government supporters today, the former Prime Minister said;