Mahinda says LG members’ forum wants him to continue as PM

Media, external powers and Tamil Diaspora accused of exploiting situation

Amidst intense pressure from about one-third of the 145 member government parliamentary group, and public protests in Colombo, and the provinces, demanding his resignation, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Office yesterday (26) said the Premier had the backing of the Local Government members’ forum, which wanted to remain the PM.

PM’s Media Secretary Rohan Weliwita, in a statement issued yesterday evening said that the forum had taken a unanimous decision at a meeting held at Temple Trees. Weliwita said that the group had decided to inform President Gotabaya Rajapaksa of its decision.

The statement quoted LG members as having blamed both mainstream and social media for creating a crisis by giving publicity to ongoing protests by a few persons. The PM’s Office claimed that the vast majority of 6.9 mn people who voted for the SLPP presidential election candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa still remained loyal to Mahinda Rajapaksa, and that external powers, extremist elements as well as the Tamil diaspora exploited the current economic difficulties to pursue an agenda inimical to the country.