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dpa
Colombo
Sri Lanka’s main opposition party said it was willing to temporarily fill the vacant post of prime minister, but also demanded that the sitting president resign, as the country seeks an escape from an unfolding political and economic crisis.
Mahinda Rajapaksa stepped down from the prime minister’s job on Monday, after weeks of protests about shortages of basic supplies prompted by an economic crisis. The opposition United Peoples’ Party (UPP) says it is willing to take the job, but only until parliamentary elections, which they hope will end a political stalemate and ongoing violence.
The opposition also wants the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the brother of the former prime minister. The Gotabaya party has a long history of power in Sri Lanka, but has also been dogged by allegations of corruption and incompetence.
“We do not want to accept the prime ministerial position while the president continues to hold office,” senior opposition UPP member Lakshman Kiriella told a news conference.
The president has greater powers than the prime minister under the constitution.
The president is due to address the nation via television later on Wednesday.
The political stalemate began when the prime minister stepped down and the Cabinet was dissolved on Monday. That came in the wake of a wave of violence that has claimed nine lives and left a trail of destruction, including burning of houses and vehicles.
Colombo
Sri Lanka’s main opposition party said it was willing to temporarily fill the vacant post of prime minister, but also demanded that the sitting president resign, as the country seeks an escape from an unfolding political and economic crisis.
Mahinda Rajapaksa stepped down from the prime minister’s job on Monday, after weeks of protests about shortages of basic supplies prompted by an economic crisis. The opposition United Peoples’ Party (UPP) says it is willing to take the job, but only until parliamentary elections, which they hope will end a political stalemate and ongoing violence.
The opposition also wants the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the brother of the former prime minister. The Gotabaya party has a long history of power in Sri Lanka, but has also been dogged by allegations of corruption and incompetence.
“We do not want to accept the prime ministerial position while the president continues to hold office,” senior opposition UPP member Lakshman Kiriella told a news conference.
The president has greater powers than the prime minister under the constitution.
The president is due to address the nation via television later on Wednesday.
The political stalemate began when the prime minister stepped down and the Cabinet was dissolved on Monday. That came in the wake of a wave of violence that has claimed nine lives and left a trail of destruction, including burning of houses and vehicles.
