CANNOT CHANGE DECISION NOW: PREZ TELLS SAJITH

● Appointing of the Cabinet could not be delayed further in a situation where the country is facing a serious political and economic crisis ● Invited Sajith to inform without delay if the SJB was ready to accept Ministerial portfolios in the new Cabinet

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has informed Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa that he could not change the decision to appoint Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Prime Minister at this time and invited him to inform without delay if the Samagi Jana Balawegaya was ready to accept Ministerial portfolios in the new Cabinet.

The President in his response to the Opposition Leader, said he decided to appoint Ranil Wickremesinghe as the new Prime Minister as Premadasa had refused to accept any responsibility within an interim government under his Presidency and that he could not change the decision at this time.

He also said appointing of the

Cabinet could not be delayed further in a situation where the country is facing a serious political and economic crisis and informed Premadasa to convey his decision soon. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa had informed the President this evening that he was ready to accept the Premiership.