• “To join an SLPP-UNP government would be a disaster to the SLFP”
• Mr. Wickremesinghe was constitutionally required to prove that he  commands the confidence of a majority of members in Parliament when the  House meets on May 17

By Sandun A. Jayasekera  

The SLFP under no circumstances would support the new Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in or out of Parliament or join his cabinet if he was able to form a government, the SLFP General Secretary and former Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara said.  

He told the media at the party office yesterday that the SLFP Central Committee that met last morning, unanimously decided not to have any connection with a government formed with Wickremesinghe as the Prime Minister.  

“To join an SLPP-UNP government would be a disaster to the SLFP as such an administration is not what 22 million people of this country demand in order to take this country out of the current economic, political and social mess,” Minister Jayasekara stressed.  

Responding to Daily Mirror, Mr. Jayasekara said Mr. Wickremesinghe was constitutionally required to prove that he commands the confidence of a majority of members in Parliament when the House meets on May 17.  
Commenting on the No Confidence Motions against President Gotabaya Rajapakse and the government, that has been tabled in the Order Book, Mr. Jayasekara said party leaders must decide a date for the two NCMs.  
However, if Prime Minister Wickremesinghe was able to form a government and take steps to provide facilities to the people, the SLFP would support such action.  

“We have no reason to oppose if he brings the cost of living down, provides ample fuel and gas, reduces prices of essential food commodities, take measures to appreciate the rupee against the dollar and in short brings dollars to Sri Lanka, and we will be more than glad and offer our full support to him,” he stressed..  

Senior Vice President of the SLFP, Prof. Rohana Lakshman Piyadasa said one of the main reasons for the SLFP to reject and oppose Wickremesinghe was the indecent, unethical and undemocratic way he was appointed as the Prime Minister by President Rajapaksa.  

“Ranil’s appointment as the PM is a violation of all parliamentary and democratic traditions. I am in total confusion as to how the President decided that Ranil commands a majority confidence in the House. Besides, he is a man who has been rejected by the people of this country more than in 20 elections held in this country and failed even to get elected as an MP at the last general election. Both Ranil and Gotabaya have not only insulted and ridiculed our Constitution but ignored the aspirations of 22 million people who demand the immediate resignation of the President and his government,” Mr. Piyadasa emphasised. 

• If Prime Minister Wickremesinghe was able to form a government and take  steps to provide facilities to the people, the SLFP would support such  action