Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe says there are two different views pertaining to the resignation of the President over the current economic crisis in Sri Lanka.
Speaking to international media, the Prime Minister said the anti-government protesters at the Galle Face Green and opposition political parties are of the view that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa must resign.
He said, however, that the BAR Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) is of the view that the 20th Amendment to the Constitution must be abolished, and does not mention anything about the resignation of the President.
“I have suggested that once the 21st Amendment is passed, which should restore the 19th Amendment strengthening the Parliament and the Prime Minister, all party leaders and the President must have a discussion and come to an arrangement on the future course,” the Prime Minister added.
Ranil Wickremesinghe also warned of the possibility of a food crisis from August due to the lack of fertilizer for the upcoming rice cultivation season.
He said as Sri Lanka has not had fertilizer for cultivation, the coming rice cultivation season will not have the full production, which could result in a food crisis.
“From August there is the possibility of a food crisis in Sri Lanka. That is about the same time that a global food crisis will also unfold. We have to see how we will survive till about March next year,” he said.
Responding to questions on protests in the country, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe referred to the Inter-University Students Federation (IUSF) as a militant group.
He said the (IUSF) is a militant youth group that conducts at least 5-6 demonstrations a year and ensures that the water cannons are used against them.
Apart from the IUSF protests, the general public is also seen staging protests due to the hardships they are facing as a result of the economic crisis, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe explained. (NewsWire)