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Samagi Jana Balawegeya (SJB) and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) have both rejected the invitation by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to all parties to form an Interim Government.

Claiming that it was merely an internal political decision, SJB and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa Tweeted: “We want resignations and then we want a political model that works. A new Sri Lanka will begin with stronger institutions and not just a change in leadership. An Interim Government is nothing but internal party politics. #NoDeals.”

JVP-led NPP Leader and Parliamentarian Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday (4) that it was a “humorous proposal” by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and that it will be completely rejected by the JVP, until the main demand of the people, calling for the President’s resignation, is fulfilled.

“This is a humorous proposal. We reject this completely. At this moment, the President has no justified right to even send a proposal like this. The people are telling him to get out,” said Dissanayake, while addressing a media briefing yesterday.

“The public was under massive stress for the past few months, but the rulers in power, led by the President, did not stop their looting of public money. Now, a massive wave of people are standing up. People are demanding answers to this corruption and are intent on chasing the rulers away. We must give our maximum support to them. In response to people standing up, the President tried to use oppressive laws against them but on 3 April (Sunday), for the first time in recent Sri Lankan history, people came out and protested despite the curfew. This struggle must continue until these leaders are chased away. After that, we can decide on what to do, and what kind of mechanism, interim or otherwise, will be built. Today, the leaders must step down.”
He termed the resignation of the Cabinet of Ministers on Sunday (3) night a “joke” as the President and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa still retain their positions.

“At midnight, they resign. A few hours later, three of them are reappointed to their same positions. This leadership has no understanding of the people’s demands,” said Dissanayake.

In a statement issued in this regard yesterday, the President invited all political parties represented in Parliament to come together to find a solution to the current crisis

Courtesy:The Morning