November 29, 2018
President Maithripala Sirisena has come under severe pressure to appoint
a new Prime Minister from the UNP, with the United National Front
showing a parliamentary majority of 117 seats.
During a discussion he held with Speaker Karu Jayasuriya this evening,
President Maithripala Sirisena promised to have talks with the TNA and
the UNF leaders tomorrow on forming a new government.
Both parties confirmed that they would meet Sirisena tomorrow evening, and discuss the future course of action.
The point of contention dutring these discussions would be UNP Leader
Ranil Wickremesinghe's re-appointment as the Prime Minister. Altthoigh
Sirisena has vehemently opposed the re-appointment of Wickremesinghe,
the UNP parliamentary group has unanimously decided that they would push
for the UNP Leader's reinstatement.
The TNA, which supported the UNP in securing a parliamentary
majority, too has decided to support Wickremesinghe's Prime Ministerial
bid.
The TNA, however, has decided to support the new UNP-led government without accpeting ministerial portfolios.
