Sajith-Dullas talks unsuccessful; If Sajith does not contest, Ranil to gain!

July 19, 2022Author - Editor

Talks held yesterday (18) between opposition leader Sajith Premadasa and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Member of Parliament Dullas Alahapperuma to reach an agreement for the presidency ended without an agreement, it is reported.

These discussions were held to get the support of the members of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, for Dullas Alahapperuma.

The purpose of this discussion was to reach an agreement to appoint Dullas Alahapperuma to the post of President and Sajith Premadasa, the Leader of the Opposition to the post of Prime Minister.

However, taking into account the fact that the President has the power to remove the Prime Minister at any moment, issues arose regarding the guarantee given that it will not happen.

The opinion of Samagi Jana Balavegaya is that if Dullas Alahapperuma is supported to become president, whether the position of prime minister will be given to the opposition leader.

Under this circumstance, Sajith Premadasa has to contest for the post of President, failing which a group of SJB parliamentarians would have to take an independent decision.

It is reported that a group led by SJB Parliamentarian Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka has taken the lead in tis regard.

Rajitha Senaratne, Tissa Attanayake, Harsha de Silva, Kabir Hashim and Eran Wickramaratne attended the discussion held yesterday morning (18) on behalf of the opposition leader.

Dylan Perera, Charitha Herath, Channa Jayasumana, Nalaka Godaheva and Udayana Kirindigoda participated in the discussion from the Dullas Alahapperuma faction.

However, discussions are expected to continue today (19) and in the event the discussion is successful, both parties have planned to hold a joint media briefing to announce their decision.

Sajith influenced by a foreign country

However, the Aruna newspaper had reported that Sajith Premadasa is being pressured by a foreign country to step down from the presidential race.

President if you are tall – PM if you are short

Meanwhile, a special discussion was held yesterday (18) between the Samagi Jana Balawegaya and the leaders of the ten independent parties in the Parliament.

The MPs from the Samagi Jana Balavega have indicated that Sajith Premadasa should be appointed as the President and Dullas Alahapperuma should be appointed as the Prime Minister.

However, later on the members of the ten independent parties had discussed that this situation is similar to the Opposition Leader’s famous tall and short theory.

They had been joking around saying, “President, if you are tall – PM if you are short”.

Mahinda goes to meet Ranil

Meanwhile, a meeting was held yesterday (18) afternoon between the MPs from the North, East, North West and North Central of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna and Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe to obtain support for the presidential election.

Sri Lanka Mirror learns that former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa had also joined the discussion.