Daily Mirror - Print Edition

Will support President in whatever way we can: Harsha

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

  • An all party machinery is a must to resolve the country’s economy if not MPs from various parties will join the government individually
  • The SJB’s short term minimum common programme for the recovery of the nation could be the base for a common agenda to revive the economy

 By Yohan Perera   

Whist stating that he would support President Ranil Wickremesinghe in whatever way he can, Samagi Jana Balawegaya ( SJB) MP Harsha de Silva yesterday said it is unfortunate that all parties are unable come to an agreement on a programme to resolve Sri Lanka’ s crisis.   

“ An all party machinery is a must to resolve the country’s economy if not MPs from various parties will join the government individually. A government where individual MPs become ministers won’t be an all party machinery,” De Silva told a press conference.   


De Silva said the SJB’s short term minimum common programme for the recovery of the nation could be the base for a common agenda to revive the economy. “ This ten point plan is not a programme of the SJB alone as it had been prepared after talking to many political parties. 


Many political parties have agreed to it. Others including the government can propose any amendments to it.  Also we intend to merge this with the programme put out by Movement for a Just Society headed by Former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya. 


I intend to subject the short term minimum common programme to a dialogue in the public finance committee which I am going to be the head shorty. I will bring about a consensus among all parties for this programme,” he said.   


“ My intention is to see that the opposition will get a greater role in the state rather than becoming the heads of parliamentary committees. This is why I have proposed setting up of an economic revival unit in Parliament and allowing the opposition to play a greater role in it,” he added.