By Saman Indrajith

The government was trying to mislead Sri Lankans and the international community by setting up a ‘national council’ that did not have the support of most political parties, independent MP Sarath Kumarasiri told the media yesterday.Kumarasiri added that they had asked former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to establish a genuine all-party government and a national council five months ago to get the country out of trouble.

“We told him on 19 April that the people were angry because the economic situation was deteriorating. Not only us but also 11 political parties including Wimal Weerawansa’s National Freedom Front (NFF) and Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) called for an all-party government. We told Gotabaya to ask then Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to resign and start discussions with all political parties in Parliament. We even tried to meet Mahinda but his henchmen did not allow us to meet him. Because Gotabaya and Mahinda didn’t listen to us, they lost popularity and power and ultimately allowed Ranil Wickremesinghe to establish an illegitimate government,” Kumarasiri said.

Kumarasiri said Wickremesinghe had no power and that he was dependent on the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) to remain in power. Ever since Wickremesinghe came into power he had been unsuccessfully trying to establish an all-party government, the MP said.

“The Opposition doesn’t want to join the council because the government is not sincere about uniting everyone. Most Sri Lankans understand this. The government MPs still can’t go and work among the people. Now Wickremesinghe is trying to set up a phony national council to convince the world and at least some Sri Lankans that he has the support of all parties in parliament,” Kumarasiri said.

“The government needs to secure IMF funding and carry out a painful and complex debt restructuring process. The IMF and some bilateral creditors have asked for political stability and have commented that the Wickremesinghe government might not have the support of the people for IMF reforms. On the other hand, the UNHRC has alleged that serious economic crimes have taken place in the country and has demanded the government to look into this.

“These are serious problems for the government. Can it carry out reforms without being transparent and the support of all parties? Can it punish the economic hitmen that have destroyed the country? If you look at how the government has responded to the opposition’s demands to table the framework or agreement with the IMF, it’s obvious that they have no desire to be transparent and open, even now. However, Sri Lankans and the international community, including China, want transparency. Instead of being honest, the government is trying to mislead everyone by setting up a bogus ‘national council.”

Kumarasiri said the government must stop manipulating the people and make genuine moves to address the concerns of the people. The President is the hostage of the SLPP and the MPs who back him lack popular support.