ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s main opposition the Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) held discussions with President Ranil Wickremesinghe on August 5, regarding an All Party Government and the way forward for crisis-struck Sri Lanka.
3. …arbitrary arrests of demonstrators. Pres @RW_UNP formally invited @sjbsrilanka to an all/multi party government. Some were positive some negative. But all agreed to explore how to help #SriLanka out of crisis. So @RW_UNP proposed “all party governance” සර්ව පාක්ෂික පාලනයක්
— Harsha de Silva (@HarshadeSilvaMP) August 5, 2022
The discussions which were over three hours long were “positive,” he said.
According to Silva, in the meeting it was proposed that the Emergency Laws imposed in the country should be lifted, and “aragalaya” prisoners must be released.
Since Wickremesinghe’s Presidential appointment, security forces have been cracking down on anti-government protestors. The main protest site at Galle Face Green is also to be shut down on August 10.
The SJB wanted to put an end to arbitrary arrests of protestors, de Silva said.
Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa tweeted that it was agreed to work through “an empowered system of parliamentary committees”.
“Held far reaching discussions with the president together with my team. Agreed to work through an empowered system of parliamentary committees. Positive about joining forces for the sake of the country. Shall do so without ministerial positions, perks and privileges,” he said.
Alliance leaders, MPs Rauff Hakeem, Mano Ganesan, Rajitha Senaratne, Kabir Hashim, Nalin Bandara Jayamaha and Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka were also present at the discussions. (Colombo/Aug 06/2022)
Stop your unending discussions, join in – take key cabinet positions (Harsha for Finance & Planning) Era – Trade, SF – Law and Order if not Defense, SP – PM with Housing, Agriculture & Lands – an important element for the country’s economy. During Dudley’s PM time Agriculture and Lands were held by him due to the value paid for Agriculture as a main integral part of the economy. Muslim congress can sit it out- they have been typical turn coats at every corner with no clear principles. Mano & Digambaram could have their earlier ministries back.