GR confirms to resign on Wednesday; Presidential Polls before March

11 July 2022 09:03 am - 14 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will end his presidency on Wednesday after handing in his resignation to the Parliament Speaker after which a decision has been taken to hold a presidential and parliamentary election before March next year, senior political sources told Daily Mirror last evening.

Despite the Speaker announcing on Saturday night that the President would resign on Wednesday, there was uncertainty if he would actually step down from his post. However, in a discussion held with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe following the nationwide protest on Saturday, Rajapaksa had confirmed he would end his presidency on July 13, thereby allowing Wickremesinghe or a new leader to be sworn in. The whereabouts of President Rajapaksa is still unknown.

Following discussions held within the political parties till last evening, Wickremesinghe held a majority of nearly 115 seats in Parliament. Several MPs have also requested him to continue and take over the Presidency and not leave the economic crisis halfways especially since talks with the IMF were ongoing.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa also held separate discussions after Saturday's riots and even hinted to his inner circle that if he is elected as the President then his likely candidate for the Prime Minister would be Dullas Allahapperuma. However, as of last evening, Sajith was yet to secure the majority support of Parliament.

If Wickremesinghe continues in office, he will be sworn in as the President on Wednesday following Rajapaksa's resignation and till a Presidential election is held, he will concentrate on finalizing a deal with the IMF and restoring some kind of economic normalcy. It is still unsure who will be Wickremesinghe's Prime Ministerial candidate but he is likely to allow Parliament to nominate a suitable candidate.

If Wickremesinghe resigns, then Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena will be temporarily sworn in as the President on Wednesday for a period of 30 days during which Parliament will select a new President - any candidate who has majority support.

Today the Prime Minister will call for a cabinet meeting in the evening and discuss the fuel shipments and foreign delegations which are due to arrive in the country this week. President Rajapaksa is likely to join the cabinet meeting via conference.

Political sources said that those ministers who submitted their resignations will continue in their portfolios as none of the resignations has been accepted by the President.

Harin Fernando, Manusha Nanayakkara, Dhammika Perera and Bandula Gunawardena were those who resigned from their ministerial portfolios over the weekend but they have been informed to attend the cabinet meeting today as their resignations have been rejected.

Following the cabinet meeting, the Prime Minister has called for an All Party Leaders meeting to discuss the ongoing crisis and seek a solution soon. (JAMILA HUSAIN)

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Comments - 14

Sunil Monday, 11 July 2022 09:13 AM

Why wait till Wednesday? Even that will be rather late to get rid of this wretched leader and of course the pm. Both of them should resign immediately. The country will take care of itself much better than when these two rascals are in control. Incidentally, this would be the best thing that would happen to this country within this decade.

Tak Tik Tuk Monday, 11 July 2022 10:06 AM

I think GR is still making deals and getting security guarantees from whomever is is taking over from him. Now RW is trying to get himself to become President finally, which he failed many times through elections. Giving birth to Aragalaya 3.0

Lankan Monday, 11 July 2022 10:57 AM

well said! but not this 'decade' but its lifetime.

Jayantha Monday, 11 July 2022 10:05 AM

This problem should have got ended few months ago if Ranil did not invervane. He is dragging this problem further more again. This can end with a huge blood bath unless he too resigns. People do not want any Rajapaksa or far Rajapaksha relative like Ranil.

Waco Monday, 11 July 2022 10:14 AM

Ranil to must resign on or before Wednesday. There better people to take over reins of the country.

BuffaloaCitizen Monday, 11 July 2022 10:39 AM

We should elect a totally new face as President. No more Rajapakse's, Ranil's etc... we need an exceptional honest person. I would suggest Anura Kumara Dissanayake. He has promised right through out he will catch all the crooks and that is what we want.

lasanda Monday, 11 July 2022 10:49 AM

So called GOTA GO GAMA does not represent the voice of the majority . Go for an election and let the people decide.

End of a family tree Monday, 11 July 2022 10:55 AM

Still people are suspicious about his decision as he is delaying till 13th. Once again he has proved that he cannot make a prompt decision. He always fails to make a wise decision.

Lankan Monday, 11 July 2022 10:56 AM

Ranil played with fire and got his house burnt but he does not seem to have learnt the lesson. The 225 should be sincere to the aspirations of the people at least now and appoint a caretaker all parties would accept until the next election. Failing to do so will prolong this crisis and possibly end up repeating May 9. Ranil had 6 terms as PM and all these days to sort out IMF but failed, Who in their right mind believes he is critical for its success. Lets hope these goons including Ranil have learnt a lesson for their own sake. People have had enough of all you buggers! Get LOST!

Nimal Monday, 11 July 2022 10:58 AM

The majority of the 225 are supporting RW as they know their positions will be safe.

Lalith Gunaratna Monday, 11 July 2022 11:00 AM

Still skeptical till I see it in black and white

ignatius Rasiah Monday, 11 July 2022 11:05 AM

Anyone who puts their hand up for President/Prime Minister should have a Asset check done. Also it must be law that all Mps declare their assets. Also they must tell the people "who were responsible for all the failings of the country including the Easter Bombings".

Banda Monday, 11 July 2022 11:37 AM

Whether you like it or not, Ranil will be the next president.

sam Monday, 11 July 2022 05:40 PM

Country does not need Ranil or dullus in the new system

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GR confirms to resign on Wednesday; Presidential Polls before March

Comments - 14

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