AKD and NPP announce plans to dissolve Parliament on 22 Sept.

• Says first action if elected as President will be to solidify power by dissolving Parliament
• AKD alleges discussions are underway between Wickremesinghe and Premadasa camp to undermine NPP at the polls
• NPP MP Harini Amarasuriya confirms announcement and says Parliament will be dissolved using constitutional powers vested in President 
• Notes all necessary legal consultations have been conducted to remove cabinet and PM immediately after an AKD win 

National People’s Power (NPP) Presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake has announced that his first action if elected as President of Sri Lanka on 22CSeptember will be to solidify his authority by dissolving Parliament.

Speaking to the Daily FT, Dissanayake emphasised that it is not only crucial to win the election but also to secure and establish control over power. NPP MP Harini Amarasuriya reiterated this plan in a media statement yesterday, confirming that the NPP intends to dissolve Parliament on 22 September, using constitutional powers granted to the President.

NPP MP Harini Amarasuriya firmly said: “We see no reason to engage with these corrupt persons even for a single day. The President has the constitutional authority to appoint a new Cabinet and secretaries, and on 22 September leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake will make the best decision for our country. We are fully prepared with the necessary arrangements.”

Amarasuriya explained that under an NPP Presidency, the existing Cabinet and Prime Minister would be immediately removed, and all necessary legal consultations have already been conducted. Speaking to the media, she dismissed any talk of forming a caretaker Government as an attempt to create further uncertainty. In response to questions from journalists, Harini Amarasuriya criticised Ranil Wickremesinghe’s Presidential campaign, suggesting that it is centred around creating confusion. When asked about Wickremesinghe’s recent statements, she questioned his ability to appoint a cabinet that upholds ethical principles, saying: “He has spoken of Theravada economics, but before that, he should be asked to appoint a cabinet capable of following the five precepts.”

Meanwhile, the NPP has also accused the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) led by Sajith Premadasa and pro-Wickremesinghe factions of collaborating against the NPP. 

Dissanayake alleged that discussions are underway between the teams of President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Opposition leader MP Sajith Premadasa to undermine the NPP’s prospects in the upcoming 2024 Presidential election.

Dissanayake claimed that while the public might perceive a conflict between Wickremesinghe and Premadasa, their second-tier teams are reportedly engaged in talks to strategise against the NPP. He suggested that these discussions focus on collaborating to counteract the NPP’s recent progress.  “They’re suggesting that it might be wiser for them to unite rather than remain divided and work together to reverse the NPP’s gains. Despite the outward appearance of conflict between Wickremesinghe and Premadasa, their teams are considering joint actions against us. However, it’s too late for such manoeuvres now,” Dissanayake said during an election rally in Homagama on Sunday.

Dissanayake’s comments follow the emergence of a video showing SJB MP S.M. Marikkar interacting with President Ranil Wickremesinghe at a public event believed to be a funeral. In the video, the two are seen discussing the NPP, adding fuel to Dissanayake’s claims of covert discussions aimed at undermining the NPP’s electoral chances.