Govt. group backs MR to continue as PM

• Parliament group pledges to continue under MR's leadership
• Around 100 MPs attend meeting amidst calls for the PM to step down
• The SLPP say the PM’s leadership is needed to overcome the current economic crisis

The Government Parliamentary group yesterday unanimously endorsed a proposal from SLPP MP Sahan Pradeep Withana for the Government to continue in office under the leadership of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The proposal was made when the group met at the Parliamentary Complex with close to 100 MPs in attendance.

The Government group’s endorsement of Rajapaksa’s leadership came amidst growing calls for him to step down with over 40 MPs who broke away from the SLPP leading the campaign to replace the Prime Minister and set up an interim administration with a new PM and Cabinet.

The ruling party MPs decided that the Prime Minister’s leadership is needed to deal with the ongoing economic crisis in the country and pledged to support him and said they would not leave room for anyone to destabilise the Government.

Ministers in charge of various subjects also briefed the group about measures taken to normalise public services in the coming weeks.