{"id":77100,"date":"2022-04-21T00:09:29","date_gmt":"2022-04-21T04:09:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=77100"},"modified":"2022-04-21T14:30:25","modified_gmt":"2022-04-21T18:30:25","slug":"samagi-jana-balawegaya-sjb-and-independent-groups-of-over-40-mps-in-parliament-intensify-calls-for-president-gotabaya-rajapaksa-and-the-government-to-step-down-immediately-for-an-all-party-inter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=77100","title":{"rendered":"Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and independent groups of over 40 MPs in Parliament Intensify calls for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the Government to step-down immediately for an-all party interim arrangement to be set up to resolve economic and political crises."},"content":{"rendered":"

By Chandani Kirinde<\/strong><\/p>\n

The main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and the independent group of over 40 MPs in Parliament yesterday stepped-up calls for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the Government to step-down first for an-all party interim arrangement to be set up to resolve economic and political crises.<\/p>\n

Lawmakers of the two groups intensified their attacks on both the President and the Government amidst reports that several more ruling party MPs have decided to sit in opposition which would result in the SLPP losing its majority in the House.<\/p>\n

Three SJB\/SLMC MPs who had joined the Government to support the 20th Amendment to the Constitution moved to opposition benches yesterday which leaves the Government which once commanded the support of two thirds of the members of the 225 legislature at around 117 MPs. Digamadulla District MP Faisal Cassim announced in Parliament yesterday that he along with MPs M.S. Thowfeek (Trincomalee District) and Ishak Rahuman (Anuradhapura District) have decided to function as independent MPs.<\/p>\n

The harshest criticism of the Government came yesterday from MP Anura Priyadharshana Yapa who along with nine others moved to opposition benches on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cI would like to request this Government to resign. Enough is enough. Today people are scared. People are on the road. Please hand over the administration to an interim Government. There are more qualified people on this side (Opposition) than on your side) and they can help take the country out of this perilous situation,\u201d Yapa said in Parliament. <\/p>\n

He said that appointing new Cabinet Ministers is not the need of the hour but the setting up of an interim Government and Cabinet that has the confidence of the public that can bring about necessary constitutional amendments and stabilise the economy.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is our country. This is not the President\u2019s, or the Prime Minister\u2019s or the Rajapaksa\u2019s country. Please understand that,\u201d Yapa emphasised.<\/p>\n

SLFP MP Dayasiri Jayasekera said they have discussed proposals to set up the interim Government as well as an advisory council consisting of leaders of all political parties in Parliament and what was needed is for the Prime Minister and the Cabinet to resign.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe cannot have a Government side and an Opposition side in this Parliament if we are to deal with the economic crisis. We have to work together as one big group. The Cabinet will be made up of MPs of all parties, there must be a time frame to overcome this problem and once there is political stability, we can stop the county from sliding further on the economic front,\u201d Jayasekera said.<\/p>\n

He said there are varying views among the groups who are now in opposition with some insisting that the President step down while others want to bring an impeachment motion against him while others want a no-confidence motion against the Government.<\/p>\n

\u201cFirst, we have to bring the 21st Amendment to the Constitution and correct the mistake that was made by repealing the 19th Amendment. We urge the Prime Minister to listen to the voice of the people and step down,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

SJB Manusha Nanayakkara said his party is willing to assist in implementing a program to build the country but for that to happen the President must go home. \u201cWe cannot join hands with thieves and murders and rebuild the country,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

SJB MP Nalin Bandara also said that by resigning the President will make the way for all parties in Parliament to work together. \u201cOur leader Sajith Premadasa is willing to make sacrifices for the sake of the country. We will talk to all the groups that have chosen to sit in the opposition and come to a compromise,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor a year we are ready to work without any privileges. We are ready to take over this responsibility but the President who bankrupted this county must go first. The queues will not end as soon as we take over but people will give us a chance for a few months to stabilise the situation. With commitment we can put the country on track in six months to a year,\u201d Bandara added.<\/p>\n

SJB Parliamentarian S.M. Marikkar yesterday said President Gotabaya Rajapaksa cannot wash his hands from the current serious economic crisis by merely saying sorry but needs to make amends.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom the fertiliser crisis to foreign currency and reserves crisis, the President must be held accountable. Amidst severe foreign currency shortage, the President forced the country to pay $ 69 million for questionable consignment of organic fertiliser from China. Will the President repay this from his personal funds?\u201d queried Marikkar.<\/p>\n

\u201cPresident gave Cabinet rank status to economic hit man Nivard Cabraal as Central Bank Governor who deceived the country saying no need to go to the IMF and wasted scarce reserves whilst increasing borrowing. The President is responsible for this,\u201d Marikkar alleged.<\/p>\n

\u201cThough the President sought forgiveness from farmers for his organic fertiliser only policy blunder, he didn\u2019t say sorry to poor city dwellers who were burdened with exorbitant vegetable prices as a result of misguided policy,\u201d the SJB MP said.<\/p>\n

He also said people have taken to streets in protest against economic hardships and their cry for \u201cGota go home\u201d is justifiable. \u201cThis is an inhuman Government,\u201d he alleged.<\/p>\n

It was pointed out that the Government has forced Sri Lanka to bankruptcy. He said to resolve fuel, electricity and LPG shortage the Government needs only to spend $ 2 billion but the bankrupt and corrupt Government is unable to source the required funds.<\/p>\n

Marikkar warned that at a time when Sri Lanka is discussing an IMF bailout amidst temporary suspension of repayment of all external debt, the killing of a protester in Rambukkana by the police was a serious violation of human rights. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe President cannot defeat the anti-Government protests countrywide by the bullet,\u201d SJB MP said adding that the Government is hell-bent on clinging on to power whilst masses are suffering.<\/p>\n

Noting that people\u2019s demands are not only \u201cGota Go Home\u201d and \u201cRajapaksa\u2019s go home\u201d but also against unprecedented corruption and recovery of stolen wealth of the people. \u201cI will assure that a Government, formed by SJB leader Sajith Premadasa, will take legal action against all corrupt persons and recover their ill-gotten gains,\u201d Marikkar added.
\n
\nCourtesy:Daily FT<\/em><\/p>\n

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By Chandani Kirinde The main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and the independent group of over 40 MPs in Parliament yesterday stepped-up calls for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the Government to step-down first for an-all party interim arrangement to be set up to resolve economic and political crises. Lawmakers of the two groups intensified their …<\/p>\n

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