President forced to walk out of Parliament amid opposition protest
COLOMBO – Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was in for a rude shock when he made an unannounced appearance in Parliament on Tuesday (5) and was greeted by loud protests from opposition MPs, who a day earlier asked where he was hiding.
The president was seen walking out as opposition MPs heckled Prime Minister Ranil Wickreemesinghe during a speech.
Wickremesinghe, who was explaining the roadmap for a way out of Sri Lanka’s ongoing economic crisis, said he was ready to step down if opposition National People’s Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake could present a viable six-month recovery plan.
This prompted a chorus of “Go home, Gota” from the opposition benches, with the main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leading the chant, co-opting a popular slogan from Sri Lanka’s youth protest movement against the government.
“When I said I am ready to go home, they are shouting at the president,” said Wickremesinghe sarcastically, openly laughing at the MPs across the aisle.
Before his departure, President Rajapaksa was also seen laughing along with Wickremesinghe at the opposition’s angry protestations.
“If Anura Dissanayaka’s plan is a success, I will resign and with that the cabinet will resign and Anura Kumara will be given the prime minister’s position,” said Wickremesinghe, adding that Dissanayake’s plan can be taken up for debate on July 7 and 8.
“I am certainly not ready to lie to the public. I must tell the truth and if someone has a better plan than us, we must give power to that person, which can only be done through Parliament. If we can’t do it, then there will be no future for this country,” he said.
As the protests intensified, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena adjourned the session for 10 minutes, during which President Rajapaksa vacated the chamber.
-economynext.com