President Under Enormous Pressure To Accept UNP Majority And Appoint Ranil Wickremesinghe As Prime Minister

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.