Sajith won’t be PM under Gota – Kiriella

By Saman Indrajith

Chief Opposition Whip Kandy District MP Lakshman Kiriella yesterday said that Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa was ready to accept the Prime Minister post if Gotabaya Rajapaksa stepped down.

Addressing the media at the Opposition Leader’s office in Colombo, the Chief Opposition Whip said: “We call on the President to resign immediately without increasing the suffering of people any longer.  Many international agencies, including the IMF, have stated that they would work only with a new government. Therefore, a government with the same President would not help this country to seek assistance from the international community. The President should resign. If he resigns, Sajith Premadasa is ready to accept the Prime Minister post to take the country forward from this impasse.

“We as the Opposition submitted two no-confidence motions – one against the President and the other against the Prime Minister and the government. Since the Prime Minister has now resigned and we do not press for the second motion’s progress. We still have no-confidence motion against the President. We want a date to debate that motion in Parliament.

“The United Nations has issued a statement demanding the implementation of the law against those who came out of Temple Trees to attack the peaceful protesters in Galle Face. We are already neck deep in problems. This unleashing of brutality by some government members further worsened our situation. We too demand that justice be done. We want to see those who led this attack be punished.”

 Meanwhile, SLFP General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara said that they were ready to support Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa if he was willing to accept the Premiership.

Jayasekara said this following a discussion with Buddhist prelates yesterday (May 11).

The SLFP would also hold discussions with the leaders of 11 constituent parties of the government about supporting Premadasa, Jayasekera said.

Jayasekara urged the Opposition Leader to take over without waiting for the President to step down.

SLFP’s General Secretary said there will be anarchy if the President also steps down from his position.