PM won’t resign; eight Cabinet posts remain vacant

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena would not resign under any circumstances, his office said yesterday. A senior spokesperson for the PM, told The Island that there was absolutely no basis for speculation of the Premier’s resignation.

The official denied as baseless claims that PM Gunawardena was under pressure to quit.The PM’s Office was reacting to reports that Gunawardena would resign, allowing former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to take over as PM.

Political sources said that President Wickremesinghe and the SLPP were yet to reach a consensus on filling the remaining vacancies in the Cabinet.In terms of the Constitution, 30 Cabinet Ministers could be appointed, but so far only 22 have been appointed.

(SF)