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Last Updated : 2024-05-10 09:27:00
30 May 2022 10:33 am - 20 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
A new political tussle has erupted in the political camps once again as the ruling SLPP has questioned Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe as to why he is hurrying with the 21st amendment amid the severe economic crisis while the Prime Minister has said if the new amendment is not passed, he may even consider stepping down.
In a meeting held with SLPP seniors over the weekend, the MPs had questioned the party hierarchy as to what economic progress had been made by Wickremesinghe since he was appointed to the seat, and why his focus was now more on the political situation than solving the economic crisis.
The Daily Mirror learns that SLPP seniors had also questioned President Gotabaya Rajapaksa as to why Wickremesinghe was given the Finance Ministry portfolio when it was agreed to appoint a new face to the portfolio and till then the President would keep the Ministry himself.
The MPs had also questioned that if Wickremesinghe’s aim was the political situation and not the economic crisis, then why was it that an SLPP MP was not appointed as the Prime Minister instead, as the focus was to provide the public with immediate relief and a continuous flow of essentials.
Rajapaksa had in return informed them that Wickremesinghe had been given the Finance portfolio since he was in discussions with the global bodies to secure funds, but he would closely monitor the work of the Finance Ministry and also the functions of the Central Bank.
Senior political sources said that a tiff has also arisen between CBSL Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe as Wickremesinghe had been pushing for Dr. Coomaraswamy to be made the new CBSL Chief. However, following talks between President Rajapaksa and Dr. Nandalal over the weekend, President Rajapaksa had assured the CBSL Chief of his strong support, with the President also being quick to release a public statement saying the short term steps taken by the Central Bank to resolve the economic crisis was ‘excellent’ and he will provide his fullest cooperation for the CBSL to function independently without any interference.
The Prime Minister’s camp on the other hand insist that while the economic crisis cannot be sorted overnight and will only get worse before it becomes better, they insist that the powers of the President need to be reduced through the 21st amendment as the Parliament needs to be strengthened.
Wickremesinghe has been lobbying for the 21st amendment to be passed by all party leaders, much to the objection of Basil Rajapaksa and his camp.
Wickremesinghe has also in discussions with the President called for complete non-interference in the economic decisions and has strongly informed him of the 21st amendment, even hinting that if the new amendment is not passed he may consider stepping down.
In a statement last night Wickremesinghe already blamed the 20th amendment for the political failures, stating that the functioning of the Parliament had been paralysed due to the weakening of the Parliamentary powers by the 20th Amendment.
He said the executive had been given more powers and the main allegation today was that the Parliament had not acted to prevent the economic crisis. “There is an allegation that even though the ruling party had a majority in Parliament they neglected the work of the Parliament. Everything was systematically controlled by the Cabinet Ministers,” Wickremesinghe said, hinting that despite the objections he was now aiming to get the 21st amendment passed.
However, the SLPP has informed the President that they will not support the 21st amendment as Wickremesinghe was brought in to solve the economic crisis and provide relief and the new cabinet would support him on that first. It is only after this is sorted that a new system should be discussed.
With the ongoing tussle’s political sources said that an election would be on the cards sooner than expected with almost all political parties presently struggling to keep their decisions intact.(JAMILA HUSAIN)
Aragalaya Monday, 30 May 2022 10:50 AM
This crisis can only be solved ONLY and ONLY when Gotabaya and Ranil resign. Experts with a good track record should be brought from outside replacing the no elected ones to steady the ship ONLY as a temporary measure UNTIL a GENUINE System Change is done by the PEOPLE for the PEOPLE.
Kikazaru Monday, 30 May 2022 10:52 AM
As expected it Ranil will be gone soon. Bye bye.
BuffaloaCitizen Monday, 30 May 2022 10:53 AM
I think it is time citizens show SLPP selfish Ministers again like 9th May.
Misha Monday, 30 May 2022 11:04 AM
how on earth would RW solve the whole mess overnight and it shows what kind of MP´s this country has, uneducated and just interested where they feel they can profit. How can they ask what Ranil has achieved so far ? It is common sense that this problems can't be solved within a short time. Just go for it your stupid MP´s and see where you and the country ends up. you should at least once think about the country and its people instead of your own benefit
Citizen Silva Monday, 30 May 2022 11:06 AM
If the President is going to monitor the work of the Finance Ministry
Ara Monday, 30 May 2022 11:07 AM
Please go Ranil, these two parties governed for last 20 years, now we r bankrupt, are we saying that these same people can only get the country out of this, if that is the case there is no light at the end of the tunnel
Bitter Truth Monday, 30 May 2022 11:08 AM
What a cesspit.
Priyalal Liyanage Monday, 30 May 2022 11:18 AM
In the current political turmoil members in parliament has to take one most important stand...i.e. Stand up for president to resign within a declared time period not more than one year or support 21A to reduce prez powers..
Anthony Monday, 30 May 2022 11:22 AM
SLPP YOU ALLRUINED THE COUNTRY TOGETHER WITH MAHINDA RAKAPAKSE AND BY THIS THE PRESIDENT HAD TO TAKE ALL THE BLAME, ATLEAST NOW LET THE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO GET TOGETHER AND WORK FOR THE COUNTRY BE PERMITTED AND YOU ALL RETIRE FROM POLITICS
Observer Monday, 30 May 2022 11:23 AM
Even if Gota steps down as demanded by the entire population of the country, there are no hopes of stability as Basil and his Pohottuwa gangs will oppose any rightful decisions of the present Cabinet.
Borat Monday, 30 May 2022 11:32 AM
Ranil Needs to take charge of these hooligans otherwise his political career marred . For once our country before self
Pantha Kumaran Monday, 30 May 2022 11:37 AM
Here we go again. There is no future to our country under any leadership. Be that may be Ranil, Sajith, Champika, or any other SLPP goons.
Dee Monday, 30 May 2022 01:32 PM
All should down and allow the 'anthare' to run the show. It would be a good show indeed!
Man Monday, 30 May 2022 01:49 PM
21A must be the priority of the parliament. Because, if the economic crisis is solved there won't be any protests as the people felt the impact, badly and started protests.
Punchi Monday, 30 May 2022 01:58 PM
We are rapidly descending into oblivion, may be the belief if Karma exists is true
Ram Monday, 30 May 2022 02:47 PM
More than economic progress Rajapaksas' who went into hiding came out and isn't that sufficient progress for SLPP
Cheers Monday, 30 May 2022 02:50 PM
Election is not required until next election actually take place as the the solution to crisis is not an election. RW you brought and amendment 2015-2019 and you screwd the country and why you are in a hurry
Ram Monday, 30 May 2022 02:52 PM
Ranil was made PM for a purpose, to protect Rajapaksas, that is done and Ranil is now a discarded coin
Shan Monday, 30 May 2022 03:09 PM
Hand it over to Sumandiran to handle the legal framework. Give it SF. All the crooks can be cleared including the public servents, agents etc. Not only the dollars, he will get down all the robbed gold as well.
Shariq Monday, 30 May 2022 03:17 PM
I swear to god these SLPP ministers are good for nothing. Ranil is actually trying to clear up their mess and all they can do is nag. Typical selfish SLPP
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