National Council a devious attempt to obtain approval from other parties in P’ment: SLFP

• Says it is an attempt to mislead international community into thinking political stability has been achieved
• Claims current form of National Council makes it yet another advisory committee
• Says SLFP will support any positive policy decision that will benefit country

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) said the recently set up National Council is a devious attempt by the Government to obtain approval indirectly for its decisions from all other parties in Parliament. According to the party, this was the sole aim of the Government in setting up this ‘so-called National Council’.

“It is also an attempt to mislead the international community into thinking the country has achieved political stability through an all-party Government,” the party said in a communique issued yesterday. The party said therefore the SLFP has decided to refrain from representing the proposed National Council.

The SLFP noted that the National Council proposed through the all-party Government concept previously was akin to a senate that will have executive powers to manage the current crisis. “However, the National Council proposal presented to Parliament according to its authority and common responsibilities is yet another mere advisory committee chaired by the Speaker,” the party noted, adding that such a set-up will not do justice to the citizen's uprisings that took place across the island.

The SLFP explained that in initial discussions it was highlighted that an all-party Government must be an interim crisis management apparatus and a National Executive Council must be appointed consisting of all political party leaders. It said the proposal was to appoint a Prime Minister through the agreement of this council.

In addition to this, the party said a National Advisory Council consisting of academics, experts and professionals was also proposed to assist the National Executive Council.

“But as discussions on this were still ongoing, former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa appointed Ranil Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister contravening these proposals. Though the eventual appointment of Ranil Wickremesinghe as President may be constitutional, it is against public opinion. In other words, it is a distortion of the public opinion,” it said.

While announcing its decision to not be part of the National Council, the party also said the SLFP will however support any positive policy decision of the Government that would benefit the Sri Lankan state and its people while remaining in the opposition. The SLFP also commended other political parties that boycotted the National Council.