Speaker reveals decisions taken at crucial party leaders meeting

by Zulfick Farzan 11-07-2022 | 6:33 PM

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Parliament Speaker has announced the decisions reached at Monday's (11) meeting between the Party Leaders.

He said the objective of the meeting was to decide on the future steps that need to be taken following the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who has informed the speaker that he will step down on Wednesday, the 13th of July.

Accordingly, the Party Leaders had noted the need to act as per the Presidential Elections (Special Provisions) Act (No. 2 of 1981) within a short period of time.

Therefore, Parliament will convene on the 15th of July as per the act and the house will be informed of the vacant Presidency.

Thereafter, on the 19th of July nominations will be called for, and on the 20th of July as per the existing legal provisions a vote will be called for to elect the new President.

The new President will then form an all-party government and should pave the way for the continuation of constitutional provisions, as well as essential services.

Chief Government Whip Prasanna Ranatunga had stated that if an all-party government will be formed tomorrow, the entire Cabinet led by the Prime Minister is ready to step down.

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena has requested all Party Leaders to support these efforts.