Main opposition, JVP not in agreement with Govt dissidents

The disagreement between the 40 dissident MPs of the government and the opposition parties on a common agenda to run the country stands in the way of unseating the current rule through the adoption of a no confidence motion, Daily Mirror learns.

There are 40 dissident MPs who have declared to function independent of the government in Parliament. They insist on the resignation of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. However, some of them do not want President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to step down.

Daily Mirror learns that the main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SGB) and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) are yet to agree with the other group on the contours of the proposed interim arrangement.

This hampered the process of working out the no confidence motion against the government. The process has also hit a snag after the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) said that it could not support such a motion without clarity on the step afterwards.

In the event of the passing of a no confidence motion, the Cabinet stands dissolved. The TNA insists that the next step should be detailed out. Also, the TNA wants the president to step down.

In the meantime, the president has initiated steps for discussion with the political parties to figure out to break the current stalemate in the country. He announced that he was ready for an all party interim government.

However, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa is reported to have reiterated yesterday that he will not relinquish office since the president has not asked him to do so. (Kelum Bandara)