Only leaders of independent parties attending discussion with President: sources
April 29, 2022 10:42 am
The discussion called by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa this morning will see the participation of the 11 political parties which withdrew from the government and now function independently.
Earlier today, it was reported that a meeting is scheduled for this morning (April 29) with the leaders of the ruling faction’s constituent political parties, with regard to the formation of an all-party government.
The focus of the meeting is likely to fall on the establishment of an interim all-party government. Accordingly, suggestions of party leaders will be sought on the matter.
On Wednesday (April 27), it was reported that the President, on principle, is willing to form an all-party government with the political parties representing the parliament.
The structure, the tenure, and the portfolios of this all-party government, which is to be established after the resignation of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet of Ministers, need to be agreed upon following discussions, the President had said further in a letter directed to the political party leaders representing the ruling faction.
As the first step for this purpose, the President called a meeting today with the participation of all political party leaders in the ruling faction, the leaders of political parties that represented the government after the 2020 general election and currently sit independently in the House.
However, on Thursday (April 28), 11 independent political parties conditionally agreed to attend the meeting convened by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today. They had assented to meet only with the President, without the presence of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet of Ministers.
