Two views on Gota going, food crisis threat by August: Ranil

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe says there are two different views pertaining to the resignation of the President over the current economic crisis in Sri Lanka.

Speaking to the international media, the Prime Minister said the anti-government protesters at the Galle Face Green and opposition political parties are of the view that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa must resign.

He said, however, that the BAR Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) was of the view that the 20th Amendment to the Constitution must be abolished, and does not mention anything about the resignation of the President.

“I have suggested that once the 21st Amendment is passed, which should restore the 19th Amendment strengthening the Parliament and the Prime Minister, all party leaders and the President must have a discussion and come to an arrangement on the future course,” the Prime Minister said.

Premier Wickremesinghe also warned of the possibility of a food crisis from August due to the lack of fertilizer for the upcoming rice cultivation season.

He said as Sthere was no fertilizer for cultivation, the coming rice cultivation season will not have the full production,. This could result in a food crisis.

“From August there is the possibility of a food crisis in Sri Lanka. That is about the same time that a global food crisis will also unfold. We have to see how we will survive till about March next year,” he said.