MR SWORN IN AS PRIME MINISTER

UPFA group to meet today to work out modalities for new Govt Basil says simple majority already mustered New budget likely

Taking the country by absolute surprise, President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday swore in his predecessor Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Prime Minister. The swearing in ceremony took place immediately after the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) withdrew from the unity government with the United National Party(unp).

Accordingly, the Yahapalana government formed after the parliamentary elections in August, 2015 ended. President Maithripala Sirisena has informed Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe about the appointment of Mr. Rajapaksa as the Prime Minister.

The parliamentary group of the UPFA is slated to meet today to discuss the challenges to be faced by the new government. It commands the support of 95 members.

Former Minister Basil Rajapaksa who played a pivotal role in this exercise said that the number required for a simple majority had been secured at the moment to run the government. Also, he said attempts would be made to rope in more and more MPS.

Meanwhile, another source said that today’ s group meeting would lay emphasis on aspects such as the formulation of a new budget under the new government and the appointment of Cabinet Ministers.

Today’s meeting will also discuss accommodation of some parties and individual MPS joining the government.

It is learnt that a number of UNP MPS are expected to join the new government.

After swearing in as the Prime Minister, Mr. Rajapaksa visited Gangarama Temple for religious observances .

However, the new appointment is likely to trigger a constitutional crisis as the UNP contested the constitutionality of the President’s move.

A number of UNP MPS are expected to join the new govt.

PIC BY KUSHAN PATHIRAJA Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa after being sworn in as the Prime Minister appealed to the people to be calm and maintain peace in the country. Speaking to the people who thronged to his residence in Wijerama Mawatha in Colombo also called on the United National Party (UNP) to respect democracy and accept the reality.