Daily Mirror - Print Edition

Time frame of all-party govt. or election date not yet spoken of : Kiriella

08 Aug 2022 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}      

By Sandun A Jayasekera

The political parties and politicians who are in a constant dialogue with President Ranil Wickremesinghe on the formation of an all-party interim government for a limited period of time are in a confusion as President has never talked about the time frame of the all-party government or when the next parliamentary polls are held, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) charged yesterday.   

The chief opposition whip and the senior vice president of the SJB, Lakshman Kiriella expressed fears about a rumour doing rounds on social media that Ranil has given an undertaking to the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) that no election would be held in the next two and half years and any election would be held only after the expiry of office of the current regime.  


“This is a serious matter. The country will be further destabilized if the government ignores the demand of 22 million Sri Lankans who live in and out of the country, prelates of all religions including the Mahanayakas of four Nikayas, Cardinal of Colombo and the public and corporate sector employees, trade unions etc. who have been agitating for months for a regime change and a general election,” Kiriella told Daily Mirror.  
Besides, former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had pledged to form an interim government for a limited period of time and to go for parliamentary polls within  a predetermined time frame, he added.   


Kiriella lamented that President Wickremesinghe was yet to give a time frame for the proposed all party government or when the next General Election is to be held at  the discussions he has had with political parties.  
Each and every Sri Lankan has a right to know what kind of rule – whether it is an interim government or a stop gap administration (governance) as suggested by President Wickremesinghe, they are going to get and for how long, he stressed.   


“I don’t think any political party can come to a consensus on the formation of an inclusive and all-party government as long as they get to know clearly about President Wickremesinghe’s position on these two vital issues. I believe, the government should clarify this matter sooner than later,” Kiriella emphasized. 

 

 

  • “This is a serious matter. The country will be further destabilized if the government ignores the demand of 22 million Sri Lankans