There were contradictory reports on the stance taken by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on forming an interim government to resolve the current political and economic crisis.
The President met with the independent groups and the SLFP to discuss the current situation in the country.
One section of the media states that President Rajapaksa had agreed to form an all-party government but has stressed the need to have his elder sibling Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Prime Minister.
Another report quoting former President Mathripala Sirisien states that the President had agreed to form an interim government with a new Prime minister and a fresh cabinet.
At the meeting with the SLFP, the President rejected the call to remove Suren Raghavan and Shantha Bandara from their ministerial portfolios.
He had said that they became ministers as a part of the trust placed on the government and that he could not go back on his word.
As for Mahinda Rajapaksa, he had pointed out the country could be destabilised, and we may not be able to attract foreign assistance to revamp the economy.
Duminda Dissanayake, Chandima Weerakkody and Sudharshani Fernando pulle were notable absentees at the meeting.
