Reports on Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa tendering his letter of resignation to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa circulated last (08) night had been removed from the media bodies in which the story was published.
Front line activists of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) also debunked the claim on Social Media, but sources told LNW that the Prime Minister, in fact, sent a letter to the President, reminding him that his brother had been given all the powers he needed as the President to administer the country through Parliament since the day he assumed Office.
The elder Rajapaksa brother also reminded that the President had taken certain decisions such as the banning of chemical fertiliser which had stemmed serious crises in the country at his discretion.
Accordingly, the Prime Minister instructed the President to dissolve the entire Cabinet under the powers vested in him as the Head of State should a new government be formed, sources added.
Cabinet Spokesman Nalaka Godahewa yesterday (08) told media that an agreement was made recommending the resignation of the Prime Minister to dissolve the Cabinet during the special Cabinet meeting held recently and that a final decision was to be made by the Prime Minister himself.
However, local government agents and trade unions loyal to the Ruling Party and the Premier insisted during a meeting in Temple Trees that Mahinda Rajapaksa should not resign. The said group is expected to call in a ‘massive’ crowd to Temple Trees today (09) to reinforce their belief that the government should further function under the Rajapaksa regime.
Accordingly, there are hardly any signs that Rajapaksa is ready to abandon his premiership.
MIAP
