Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament today that worse is yet to come as far as the economy is concerned.
He said all parties should join hands to resolve the crisis by taking over the financial control of the state under the purview of the Parliament.
He urged the government to re-introduce the 19th amendment to the constitution of which he was the architect.
The former Prime Minister stressed the importance of setting up oversight committees of Parliament on different subjects, and the youth can participate in the process as representatives of Parliamentarians. He pointed out the importance of adopting the systems followed by other Parliaments, such as the British and the Canadian Parliaments.
Mr Wickremesinghe justified the call by the protesting youth exerting pressure on the government to resign. The new cabinet took oaths before the President only yesterday, but several new ministers are not here today. If they respect the Parliamentary traditions, they should be present in Parliament. He said.
I appreciate the non-violent method picked by the youth without resorting to violence, he said.
The entire country is looking at us, and we have to resolve the crisis expeditiously.
Talking about the importance of financial control by Parliament, he questioned the logic behind the Sri Lankan airline’s decision to purchase more aircraft.
Former President and SLFPleader Maithripala Sirisiena expressed similar sentiments and said the government had virtually failed in its endeavour to provide for the basic needs of the people.
He said the people are dying on the roads today.
