UNF allies discuss interim Govt.

seeks possibility of having new premier

The Tamil Progressive Alliance and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, which are allies of the UNP have reportedly held informal discussions yesterday on the possibility of having a new prime minister appointed for an interim period on the basis that President Maithripala Sirisena has vehemently refused to consider party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe for the post.

They said though the UNP, backed by its allies, showed majority in Parliament, it was highly unlikely that the President would reappoint Mr. Wickremesinghe and as such were considering the possibility of getting another UNPER appointed as the Premier till the next general election is due.

The TPA and the SLMC said they were opposed to holding any kind of election under the current government of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa

These parties believe that a general election should be conducted within six months of forming a new government. The TPA and the SLMC said they were opposed to holding any kind of election under the current government of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

They have considered submitting the names of MPS Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Gamini Jayawickrama Perera or Speaker Karu Jayasuriya to the President having agreed in principle that a general election is the best solution to the current constitutional impasse.