Sajith Premadasa, the leader of the opposition in Sri Lanka, announced on Saturday that a no-confidence motion would be moved against the Mahinda Rajapaksa government in the Parliament session starting this week.
A new cabinet was sworn in on April 18 as the regime of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa battle protests over the worst economic crisis Sri Lanka is facing.
Premadasa said the Rajapaksa government had pushed Sri Lanka to the brink of collapse within two years. He claimed the manner in which the no-confidence motion would be conducted would identify “true patriots”.
Chief opposition whip Lakshman Kiriella declared the opposition would be in a position to form a government. Kiriella was quoted by Daily Mirror as saying “Everyone will be able to see that we command a majority next week and I will not reveal how we are going to do it as of now. President should resign from his post and then constitutional reforms should follow to ensure checks and balances among the pillars of the government.”
Another opposition figure, SJB MP Mujibur Rahman, said his party had not given up hope of moving an impeachment motion against Gotabaya.
Opposition parties have been holding days of protests, with the main events to be held on Sunday (May Day).
The police has issued an advisory for travel disruption in Colombo on Sunday on account of the May Day rallies, which are expected to see participation by thousands.
