Political parties prepare for decisive week, as protests widens

Political parties were preparing for a decisive week with fresh political developments over the weekend while the number of protests widened on Sunday with demands the State of Emergency be withdrawn immediately.

The SJB and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) leadership met with the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) today followed by a meeting scheduled to take place between President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the Bar Association.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa soon after the meeting with the BASL said they would await the outcome of the discussions with the President and BASL to decide on their future course of action, but they were keen that steps would be taken to abolish the Executive Presidential system.

“We don’t want to be crowned and are ready to make any sacrifices,”  Mr Premadasa told journalists.
He said the BASL proposals and the proposals made by the SJB as well as their coalition were not different and among them was the call for the abolishing the Executive Presidential system.

SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara told Timesonline  “We can’t come to a decision right now on whether or not we will support an interim Government and take up portfolios or if we will support an interim Government from outside.”  

Chairman of the SLFP Maithripala Sirisena and their delegation met with the BASL earlier in the morning. He said that amendments to the Constitution were discussed at the meeting. 

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa visiting some of the religious places in the Anuradhapura today was jeered by some of the placard-carrying protestors. Some of them called for his resignation while others blamed him for the current situation in the country.

Premier Rajapaksa visited several sites including Jayshri Maha Bodhiya, Ruwanweli Seya and Mirisawetiya.

Prime Minister Rajapaksa on Monday has called for a meeting of SLPP  MPs and local government members amid speculation that he would step down from office. 

Protests across the country have widened with the latest demand that the state of emergency gazette issued on Friday be withdrawn. Protests were reported in Anamaduwa and Girandurukotte areas.

In Colombo, several roads were blocked due to protests. In one of the protests, the High Level road was blocked due to a protest in Nawinna by persons who were demanding gas. In Grandpass roads were blocked due to a protest by persons demanding kerosene oil. 

Trade unions have threatened to go on a continuous strike from May 11 onwards.