AKD takes up RW’s challenge

• JVP Leader says ready to form Govt., and address immediate needs of public with short-term program after Wickremesinghe expresses willingness to hand over PM post if former presents six-month economic revival plan
• Dissanayake claims current PM sans proper people’s mandate may not last long in post

JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe

JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday reiterated that he is willing to take over the Government to implement a short-term program to address the immediate needs of the public following which the country should go for a general election.

Responding to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who said he would step down from his post to pave the way for Dissanayake to take over as PM if he presents such a program, the JVP leader said that it is possible to address the issues such as the shortage of fuel, gas, medicine, fertiliser etc. and stabilise the situation within six to seven months.

“I am not saying that the current situation that is a result of decades old bad policies coupled with a political culture that is driven by corruption can be fixed within a short period, but we can address the immediate needs of the public,” Dissanayake said in Parliament.

During his crisis resolution statement, the Prime Minister said yesterday that he will resign to make room for JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake to take over his position if the latter can present to Parliament the six-month program to revive the economy.

“MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake has stated that if he is handed over the country, it will be restored in six months. Indeed, it would be a very good thing if it could be done. If there is such a plan, I am ready to resign and let him take up this position. I am ready to give up my position and support that program,” Wickremesinghe said in Parliament. He asked Dissanayake to submit this plan to the President or to Parliament.

”If you don’t want to go to the President, present it to this Parliament. Let us discuss it in this Parliament. If that plan is better and more effective than the plan we are implementing now, we will implement it. Such a plan would be brilliant enough to win the Nobel Prize in Economics,” Wickremesinghe added.

In his response, Dissanayake said the National People’s Power (NPP) had submitted its proposals to form a Government and stand by this offer.

“The Prime Minister has referred several times to our proposals mainly in jest. He says he will step down for me to become the Prime Minister, but he has no powers to decide who should be the Prime Minister. From information I have there are moves to remove him from the post,” Dissanayake said.

He said neither he nor the current Prime Minister has a mandate to hold the post and which is why after implementing a short-term program, a General Election should be held so that a Government in which people have confidence can be set up.