9 July 2022 03:46 pm Views - 4416
Religious leaders have urged President Gotagaya Rajapaksa to announce official resignation immediately reiterating his mandate was negated by the people now.
Ven. Omalpe Sobitha Thera told a news conference convened by the religious leaders that the Speaker should convene Parliament soon and take steps to form an interim government for a short period of time until an election was held.
The prelate said someone who is accepted by the whole country and the party leaders should be appointed as the President.
"If they cannot agree on a national leader, someone outside the present Parliament should be appointed as an MP through the National List and appoint him as the President," the Thera said.
He said Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe should not be appointed as the President even for a second, for any reason.
Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando said President Rajapaksa should officially announce his resignation without delay and a new President should be appointed temporarily.
"An interim government should be formed until an election is held," he said.(Ajith Siriwardana)