Party leaders say NO to request to repel protests by force; & call for Speaker to sack RW

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Sri Lankan Party Leaders had reached a decision to call for Ranil Wickremesinghe's resignation ahead of the President's resignation, said TNA MP M. A. Sumanthiran on Wednesday (13).

He said all party leaders were present excluding those from the Government, except of Minister Tiran Alles.

He said two unanimous decisions were taken at the meeting, and one was for Ranil Wickremesinghe to resign immediately, while the other was for the speaker to sack the Prime Minister before the President's resignation takes effect.

Meanwhile, Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella from the Samagi Jana Balavegaya the Commanders of the three-armed forces were also present for the meeting.

"The Prime Minister was avoiding the party leaders," said the MP.

The Commanders had explained that the youth of the country who involved in this struggle are near the gates of parliament, and wanted permission to repel them by using force.

"We said we cannot agree to such a request," he said adding that at the last party leaders meeting the call was for the President and the Prime Minister to resign.

The Party Leader have called for the speaker to sack the Ranil Wickremesinghe to take up the post of Acting President, and thereafter Parliament is prepared to work with the speaker.