Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalaka Godahewa on being asked whether the resignation of the Prime Minister was discussed at the Friday’s special Cabinet meeting denied that a final decision was reached on that matter at the meeting.
“We will have to patiently wait and see. However, the outcome will depend on what the Prime Minister is going to do,” the Minister told the Sunday Observer yesterday.
Asked whether any decision was taken by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to step down, Dr. Godahewa said that he can’t comment on it as it is only the Prime Minister who would know about it.
He said basically the special Cabinet meeting was held on Friday to discuss the situation in the country, particularly, Friday’s Hartal and other protests which are affecting economic activities and also the hardships faced by the people.
“As a result of the ongoing protests, it has not been possible to distribute fuel countrywide and it has seriously affected consumers.
Due to the prevailing atmosphere, factories cannot run properly and it affects our exports.
All these things have a serious impact on the economy,” he said.
The Minister said, therefore, the first decision taken at Friday’s special Cabinet meeting was to declare a State of Emergency for a short period of time until the situation settles down.
He said since these protestors and the Opposition keep asking the Government to resign, the Cabinet of Ministers said, ‘Why not we all resign and ask the Opposition to come and take over the Government’. Most of the Cabinet Ministers had supported that idea. “Actually if we are to do that, the easiest way is for the Prime Minister to resign.
“According to our Constitution when the Prime Minister resigns the Cabinet gets dissolved. Actually, it was the discussion that took place at Friday’s Cabinet meeting,” the Minister said.
There was media speculation that Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has decided to resign from his post during the special Cabinet meeting on Friday.
Some political sources had claimed that the resignation of the Prime Minister is due to take place tomorrow.