RW tipped to be PM?

12 May 2022 09:44 am - 28 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Wickremesinghe and President held closed-door discussions last evening
Talks also included Wickremesinghe’s request to allow the protesters at Galle Face to continue their peaceful protests
Sajith would take up the PM post only if Rajapaksa resigns
SJB members criticize Sajith’s timing in making demands
Harin Fernando was the first MP to leave the party and announced he will sit independently as Sajith’s conditions were ill-timed
Out of all contenders, the meeting between Wickremesinghe and Rajapaksa seemed to have seen some progress
Rajapaksa also discussed with Wickremesinghe about taking the country forward under his Premiership

Two days after the resignation of Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Prime Minister following violent clashes which left 9 people dead, the battle for the new Prime Minister began with UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe likely to be the next choice.

The Daily Mirror learns that Wickremesinghe and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa held closeddoor discussions last evening, which included an offer from Rajapaksa for Wickremesinghe to take up the post.

While talks also included Wickremesinghe’s request to allow the protesters at Galle Face to continue their peaceful protests, Rajapaksa also discussed with Wickremesinghe about taking the country forward under his Premiership.

While there was no official confirmation from Wickremesinghe directly if he had agreed, senior political sources said that Wickremesinghe was likely to be appointed this week, and thereafter form an interim government with parties that agreed to join. Opposition Leader and Leader of the SJB, Sajith Premadasa who was initially offered the post by President Rajapaksa, said he would take it up only if Rajapaksa resigns.

However, the SJB camp held meetings throughout the day yesterday with the party split on this decision - with some members calling on Sajith to take it up without putting forward conditions at this crucial time of severe political instability and violence. Harin Fernando was the first MP to leave the party and announced he will sit independently as Sajith’s conditions were illtimed. When news of Wickremesinghe’s meeting with Rajapaksa spread, the SJB camp said it is willing to form a new government under four conditions. First, the President must resign within a stipulated period, second, the President must not interfere in the work of a new government, third the executive presidency must be abolished and fourth general elections must be held after economic stability is assured.

While these conditions came out with some senior SJB members themselves criticizing Sajith’s timing in making such demands, former President and SLFP Leader Maithripala Sirisena was quick to tell the media that a letter had been sent to the President by the 11 parties and the independent parliamentary group nominating three names to the vacant post of Prime Minister.

The Daily Mirror learns that these three names are that of Nimal Siripala De Silva, Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe and Dullas Alahapperuma. However, out of all contenders, till last night, the meeting between Wickremesinghe and Rajapaksa seemed to have seen some progress with Wickremesinghe likely to be sworn in this week. (JAMILA HUSAIN)

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Comments - 28

Astounding Thursday, 12 May 2022 09:51 AM

Disaster waiting to happen

Kumara Ilangasinghe Thursday, 12 May 2022 09:54 AM

Bad choice. As usual scheming to get in through the back door. Sarath Fonseka best choice with Harsha for Finance.

Imtiaz Thursday, 12 May 2022 09:57 AM

Ranil is the best choice as he understands 'Finance and Economics' well

Malij Thursday, 12 May 2022 10:00 AM

With all his faults Ranil W is the most suitable person to takeover at this juncture, for a limited period of time.

Justice Thursday, 12 May 2022 10:01 AM

In the unlikely event of him being appointed PM there will be a constitutional crisis as he is in parliament illegally. The current commissioner of elections knows this as he too will face justice in the future.

Benjamin George Thursday, 12 May 2022 10:02 AM

Mahinda, Sirisena

Shaluka Thursday, 12 May 2022 10:03 AM

RW says to GR, I never put any of you trouble last term, and even all just media shows, now what I am the best don't you think?

johan Thursday, 12 May 2022 10:04 AM

Sajith should have a good political adviser.Some senior parliamentarians surrounding him are spoiling his political career and they are outdated.

NS Thursday, 12 May 2022 10:07 AM

Paving way for another blood bath

Rajkumar Thursday, 12 May 2022 10:08 AM

Oh, Please

Samson de Silva Thursday, 12 May 2022 10:11 AM

What a joke! This is not what people want. If Ranil is the choice, then let's bring the old myenaa back. There is no difference between him and Ranil who is the 'other' brother of the Rajapaksas.

LAN Thursday, 12 May 2022 10:13 AM

Another failure and he will save all crooks and thieve . because he is behind CB scam and that I'd why they need him

Manage Thursday, 12 May 2022 10:14 AM

People will not accept Ranil wickramasinghe as a prime minister at this crucial time .All ruling party members are rejected by the people. President should resign immediately. People will decide who is the next president and prime minister.

Shiran fernando Thursday, 12 May 2022 10:15 AM

Back to the most suitable person. But gamarala and his party always sabotage. There is a histry of sbortaging by SLFP in 2001 and 2016 . Histry can repeat. RW will revive the economy with hard and unpopular decisions. Then others will leverage.

nimal Thursday, 12 May 2022 10:16 AM

Wickremesinghe’s request to allow the protesters at Galle Face to continue their peaceful protests, If it is true, it is not possible Ranil Wickremesinghe and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa can work together at "this moment" at all. this is indeed quite a confusing contradictory story.

Luka Thursday, 12 May 2022 10:19 AM

How can an MP who was rejected by the people be an PM ? Not acceptable, RPaskha family looking for a safer option rather than thinking the well being of the country. Going from worse to worse...... when are we going learn.......when are we going to develop.....

Jerome Thursday, 12 May 2022 10:20 AM

Who else will you call to protect criminals and destroy democracy the will of the people. A man who lost his own seat, sitting in parliament with no party. God dam Sri Lanka. The ruling class will always look after itself.

SHM Thursday, 12 May 2022 10:21 AM

We are the fools to be cheated each time.They are all same whatever color they belonged to, what they play is a friendly match! You scratch my back, I scratch your back theory!

N SENA Thursday, 12 May 2022 10:27 AM

FROM ONE GREEDY HOD TO ANOTHER GREEDY UNP LEADER

N SENA Thursday, 12 May 2022 10:32 AM

GOTA, ARE NOT CONSIDERING NAMAL?

anura hettiarachchi Thursday, 12 May 2022 10:35 AM

Corrupt Corrupts the corrupt

Andrew Silva Thursday, 12 May 2022 10:35 AM

He lost his seat in the last election and the present President wants to make him the Prime Minister. Has the President lost his bearings.

Sammy Thursday, 12 May 2022 10:38 AM

How can someone who is rejected by the masses for his failures be made the PM? This is another attempt at fooling the people. He too will be hounded.

Sammy Thursday, 12 May 2022 10:38 AM

How can someone who is rejected by the masses for his failures be made the PM? This is another attempt at fooling the people. He too will be hounded.

S. P. Ramkumar Thursday, 12 May 2022 10:39 AM

If he will be appointed as Premier then country will go forward with political and economics stability.

jayt Friday, 13 May 2022 05:50 AM

who brought him to power ? It is American_Jews who have operating in Sri lanka for last 40 years

jayt Friday, 13 May 2022 06:39 AM

But it is the work of Jews and CIA who have been running a global criminal government in the world. Jews and CiA blood path have began in India, Africa. Middleast , Eastern Europe and exsoviet longtime ago. Who killed millions in exSoviet and eastern Europe ? It is Jews and CIa did it to get public hate against Russia, and Today, Who ordered Russia to invade Ukrain? You should know now who did it

jayt Friday, 13 May 2022 06:48 AM

US is not one country It is two countries together. It is US and former Communist from Russia run US together. US have become Ex Soviet UNion long time ago. As Jews from Russia immigrated US, US become more bloodier and bloodier. Ask any American citizen or European citizen about JEws , you will hear same story.

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RW tipped to be PM?

Comments - 28

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