MP Nimal Lanza has ruled out any need to dissolve parliament, claiming the government would not collapse even if the pro-Rajapaksa MPs left the government.
Lanza, presently overseas, was commenting on ‘The Leader’ article titled “President considers dissolving parliament!” that was published earlier today (14).
He recalled how Ranil Wickremesinghe responded to a question by SLPP MPs if he would dissolve parliament, when he met them for the first time as the president.
His reply was that he would not, but that parliament would be dissolved at their request as per constitutional provisions, the MP noted.
Namal Rajapaksa has the support of only around 25 MPs, and parliament needs not be dissolved over their demand for cabinet portfolios, said Lanza.
He also said that even if they left the government, the president would have the support of a higher number of Samagi Jana Balawegaya, Freedom Peoples’ Congress and Supreme Lanka Coalition MPs, adding that Basil Rajapaksa was the only barrier against their joining the government.
Disruptions cannot be approved of at a time when the president should be supported in his attempts to revive the economy, he said.
Lanza added that he would make a special statement regarding the matter soon after he returns home.