Proposals received for all-party Govt. to be notified to parties today

President Ranil Wickremesinghe 

• President commends everyone’s enthusiasm for all-party Govt.
• JVP, NPP and several other minor parties yet to meet President

All proposals submitted by political parties willing to be part of an all-party Government during last week’s discussions with President Ranil Wickremesinghe will be given to all political parties that attended the talks for consideration today. 

Wickremesinghe had promised the parties that all proposals submitted will be shared with them during the discussion held on Friday with leaders of the 11 independent parties in the Parliament and the 43 Brigade regarding the formation of an all-party Government, the President’s Media Unit said. The discussions were held at the President’s Office.

During the talks, President Ranil Wickremesinghe pointed out that only the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, National People’s Power and a few other Tamil political parties have not attended discussions in this regard yet. Wickremesinghe commended everyone’s enthusiasm for all-party governance by setting aside political ideologies to fulfil the people’s aspirations.  

The Leader of the 43 Brigade Champika Ranawaka said that the 43 Brigade is working optimistically with the President’s position regarding bringing back the 19th Amendment to the Constitution. He also said that there is a strong need to do away with the political party system and appoint professionals as Heads of State Institutions. Ranawaka further said that a country cannot be developed by political reforms alone, and added that the contribution of professionals should be a key factor.  

At Friday’s meeting, MP Vasudeva Nanayakkara opined that the country will be able to move forward through a common programme to build the country. 

Member of Parliament Udaya Gammanpila pointed out that the identity of all political parties should be protected in the discussions that are being held regarding the formation of an All-Party Government, and further said that taking forward the discussion with a foundation document will help to succeed the expectations of the all-party Government.

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Members of Parliament Prof. Tissa Witharana, Asanga Navaratne, Premanath C. Dolawatta, Karu Paranavithana, Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake, and President’s Additional Secretary Attorney-at-Law Chaminda Kularatne were present in this discussion.