Sajith tells President he is ready to be PM 

By Rathindra Kuruwita

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, in a letter to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, yesterday said that he was ready to become the Prime Minister and form an interim government on four conditions.

“I have held discussions with the SJB MPs about your offer to make me the Prime Minister. A number of religious leaders, including the chief prelates, too have asked me to take up the post. I am writing to inform you that I am ready to be sworn in as Prime Minister and form an interim government, for a short period of time, under on conditions,” he said.

Premadasa’s conditions are as follows: President Gotabaya Rajapaksa agrees to resign from his post within a specified time; Reimplementation of the 19th amendment to the constitution within two weeks, with the support of all political parties; abolishing the Executive Presidency a la the 21st amendment to the constitution that we have already presented to Parliament; holding Parliamentary Elections soon after stabilising the country.

Premadasa said that the SJB had a plan to shore up the collapsing economy and to carry out necessary constitutional reforms.

“If you agree to the above conditions, I am ready to establish a new short term government on Friday (13),” he said.