Ranil Wickremesinghe(left) being sworn in as Sri Lanka's Prime Minister by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in Colombo on May 12 -AFP
Further to the press conference held on May 10, Direction Sri Lanka - Independent Professionals for the Nation, in a communique stressed upon the urgent need of forming a
caretaker/interim national government with a maximum of 18 essential portfolios and an equal number of Deputy Ministers. “In these circumstances, it is our considered view that it is of paramount importance that a caretaker/interim national government has wide consensus among all stakeholders and representation of as many political parties which we believe is vital to ensure the establishment of a stable government to steer the country through the present economic and social crisis,” the communique reads.
Reiterating the previous proposals brought forward by them, Direction Sri Lanka called upon the MPs in the National List to resign, paving way for professionals/experts of highest integrity to be represented in the upcoming government. The communique put forward by them also urged all political parties represented in parliament to take the current economic crisis into consideration and support the formation of the caretaker/interim national government which has a broad consensus. It also reiterated the calls for the President and Prime Minister to appoint individuals with highest integrity, appropriate educational qualifications and specialized skills required to hold their respective portfolios as the Cabinet of Ministers.
"Any further delay by the country’s political leadership to come together at this time will only confirm that the representatives of the people have repeatedly failed to act in the said expected way"
The issued communique also called for the repeal of the 20th Amendment and reintroduction of the 19th Amendment with the necessary changes to facilitate the democratic way of governance. As for the resolution of the economic crisis, the communique states that an advisory group of experts with core competencies in economic management should be appointed to advise the government on the steps to be taken to revive the economy of the country. Touching upon their previous proposal, Direction Sri Lanka sets forth the following actions that can be taken by the government on the advice of the advisory group to revive the economy.
- Secure Bridge Financing at concessionary interest rates and conditions.
- Conclude agreements with the IMF and other Financial Agencies following due parliamentary process and with complete transparency.
- Take prompt action to ensure the provision of essential services and supplies to the public.
- Take all measures to stabilize the Rupee.
The communique further states that it is vital for the current Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to demonstrate that he commands the confidence of the majority in the parliament as per the constitutional requirement, and that there is consensus of the several parties and groups in Parliament for him to function as the Prime Minister. Direction Sri Lanka also stressed that it was vital for people to keep aside their political and personal considerations, and to primarily consider the interests of the people and the country to make decisions. “Any further delay by the country’s political leadership to come together at this time will only confirm that the representatives of the people have repeatedly failed to act in the said expected way,” stated Direction Sri Lanka.
