Opposition political party leaders have called upon President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to step down and pave the way for a new government.
Among those who called on the President to step down are SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa, JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the TNA spokesman M.A Sumanthiran.
SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa had expressed his willingness to accept the Premiership only if the President steps down. The JVP has said they would form a government under three conditions following President Gotabaya Rajapaksa stepping down and appointing the Speaker to take over the Presidency temporarily. They also propose to set up an interim administration with the pledge of holding a Parliamentary General election within a stipulated period of six months. It is necessary because the people are not in a mood to accept any decision by the present constitution of Parliament. They request others to allow them to set up an interim administration under these conditions, or else they would like to assist any interim government while being in the opposition.
The TNA spokesman M.A Sumanthiran said the President lost his legitimacy and urged him to step down, allowing a new administration. The President, with the proclamation of emergency, ought to set a date for Parliament to meet, but he hasn’t done that, he said
He urged the Speaker to summon Parliament urgently, saying that the President also could do this. by immediately taking steps to appoint a Prime Minister. Said Sumanthiran.
