Interim government is on the way

•  A National Council would be appointed by the President to advice the President and the interim government 
• The President is expected not to ignore or bypass the advice of the National Council
• The SLFP has led the campaign to replace the incumbent government with  an interim government as a temporary solution to the current national  issues

By Sandun A.  Jayasekera

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has given consent to the SLFP to form an all-party interim government with a new Prime Minister and a new cabinet with a limited number of members with the objective of finding a quick solution to the current economic, political and social problems in the country, SLFP party leader and former President Maithripala Sirisena said yesterday.   

The SLFP top hierarchy has had a discussion with President Rajapaksa last morning at the President’s House on his invitation.   

Addressing the media soon after the conclusion of the talks, Mr. Sirisena said a National Council would be appointed by the President to advice the President and the interim government on all vital economic, legal, constitutional and administrative issues of the interim government.

The President is expected not to ignore or bypass the advice of the National Council.   

The 21st Amendment to the Constitution drafted based on the 19th A, aimed at pruning executive powers of the President would be enacted on a priority basis by the interim government with the blessings of all parties in parliament.   

Constitution of an interim government is not a kind of strengthening of the President or jacking up of the government. The requests have been made by Mahanayakes of the three Nikayas, other religious prelates, trade unions, trade chambers, and many other social and public organisations. The SLFP has led the campaign to replace the incumbent government with an interim government as a temporary solution to the current national issues,” Mr. Sirisena stressed.   

The discussion with President Rajapaksa last morning focused on finding solutions sooner than later to the pressing problems of the country such as food, fuel, drug and gas shortage and skyrocketing cost of living, sharp depreciation of the rupee against the US dollar and fertiliser issue. School children find it difficult to go to school by bus, as the bus fare is extremely high. Parents find the difficulty to feed the family three meals a day. Public and private sector employees find it difficult to make ends meet with their salary, he said.   

Responding to Daily Mirror, Mr. Sirisena said the incumbent government or the interim government would not be in a position to hold a Parliamentary election under the prevailing situation. Even the Election Commission has highlighted the necessity to go for an interim government for a 6 months or one year period to restore political stability, plug the economic crunch and social mayhem.   

The interim government would be held with the support of all political parties represented in Parliament.   
Responding to another query from the Daily Mirror on the refusal by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and the JVP to join the interim government, Mr. Sirisena said President Rajapaksa would write requesting all political parties to participate in the formation of the interim government. The SLFP will also talk to the SJB and the JVP to get their consent to the new political set up to take the country out of the mess.   

General Secretary of the SLFP, former minister Dayasiri Jayasekara, senior Vice President of the party, former minister Nimal Siripala De Silva, former Minister Mahinda Amaraweera and former state ministers Lasantha Alagiyawanna were present at the news briefing. 

• The interim government would be held with the support of all political parties represented in Parliament
• The incumbent government or the interim government would not be in a  position to hold a Parliamentary election under the prevailing situation