The Samagi Jana Balawegaya says a government led by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will face difficulties in securing international support. Addressing a media briefing Parliamentarian Mujibur Rahman said a government without a people’s mandate will fail to garner the support of the international community.
He said if President Rajapaksa resigns and a new government is formed with the blessings of the public, international support would be forthcoming. Parliamentarian Rahman questioned how the International Monetary Fund can assist the nation when the government lacks the mandate of the people.
MP Rahman said the IMF delegation that arrived in Sri Lanka only discussed technical affairs. Rahman added the leaders of foreign nations cannot justify spending citizens money to assist Sri Lanka, when the government lacks internal support.
He noted aid received from foreign nations does not come out of the pockets of leaders of such countries but through public finances. MP Rahman further stated the Rajapaksas cannot act according to their whims and fancies and distort Parliament by appointing a Prime Minister based on personal wishes.
MP Rahman said the pressure on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resign after the 9th of May was eased due to Ranil Wickremesinghe accepting the post of Prime Minister. He claimed if Prime Minister Wickremesinghe delayed accepting the post for two days, the President would have resigned.
The MP said if the President resigned following the events on the 9th of May, a government that secured the public mandate would have been established and Sri Lanka would have received unreserved support from the international community.
Commenting on the 21st Amendment to the Constitution MP Rahman said according to reports received by the SJB, curtailing powers of the Executive Presidency through the proposed 21st Amendment will not apply to President Rajapaksa. He claimed Prime Minister Wickremesinghe is attempting to curtail powers of the Executive Presidency only after President Rajapaksa concludes his term.
MP Rahman stated it was common knowledge that President Rajapaksa is the reason behind the prevalent crisis and sufferings. He questioned as to why the Premier cannot understand the excessive powers granted to President Rajapaksa resulted in the deterioration of economic, political and social aspects of the nation.
