By Yohan Perera  

Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa in a letter addressed to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had informed him that he is ready to be sworn in as Prime Minister and form an interim government.  

“I am willing to have a dialogue with you on economic reforms and resolving the issues faced by the people,” he informed the President.  

Mr. Premadasa who announced his decision at a media conference said his party is ready to perform their duty for the sake of the nation. “We are ready to pull the nation through this crisis,” he said.   

The Leader of Opposition was surrounded by SJB MPs however MP Patali Champika Ranawaka and Talatha Athukorala were among the notable absentees.  

Earlier the SJB General Secretary said no one from his party will accept any ministerial portfolios. Asked about MP Harin Fernando who claimed to have become independent, Mr. Madduma Bandara said Mr. Fernando is back in the fold.   

“We have the sufficient numbers to form a government,” MP Hector Appuhamy said.  

MP Buddhika Pathirana said the UNP SLPP joint government is not the wish of the people including those who are staging a protest at Galle Face at the moment. “ It is like ‘Wasikiliya’ and Kasikiliya getting together,” he said.    
“I am ready to be sworn in as Prime Minister and form an interim government immediately if the executive presidency is abolished in a given space of time, to reintroduce the 19th amendment within two weeks and that President resigns within a given time frame,” he said in the letter.   

• I am willing to have a dialogue with you on economic reforms and resolving the issues faced by the people