NO alternative with the existing President - Opposition Leader

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa told Parliament on Friday (8) that there is no alternative path with the incumbent President.

"We speak a lot about the alternatives, such as caretaker governments, interim governments, temporary governments, etc. However, can these governments move forwards with the Executive Presidency?" he questioned the house.

He said such alternatives will not be able to move ahead with the present Executive President in office.

"The 20th Amendment to the Constitution did not create an Executive President, it created a Super Executive President," he told the Parliament.

"How can a caretaker, interim, or even temporary government operate with a President with Super Executive Powers?" he noted.

He said if parliament agrees to such a proposal, that could be tantamount to treachery.

"We are not prepared to commit such a betrayal. We are not prepared to join hands with a leadership that has been rejected by the people," he told Parliament.

"We are also not prepared to enter into deals with such leadership. We will not enter into any deals," he affirmed.

Further, the Opposition Leader proposed for a budget to be presented to the house immediately so that relief can be provided to the people.