Sri Lanka: Opposition ready to lead new govt, Sajith Premadasa stakes claim to become president

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka's main opposition SJB party has stated that it is ready to form a new government in the country. SJB leader Sajith Premadasa said in a statement that he will demand the post of president when the all-party government is formed in the country next month.

"We will appoint a government headed by a president and a prime minister. There is no other alternative. If anyone opposes this or tries to sabotage it in Parliament we will see it as a treacherous act," Sajith Premadasa said.

Meanwhile, other opposition parties are of the opinion that Ranil Wickremesinghe should be the president during the negotiations with the IMF.

At the same time, the protestors are continuing for the third day in the seized official residences in Colombo. A controversy erupted when the Speaker said in an interview that President Gotabaya Rajapakse was in a neighbouring country. Later, Speaker Mahinda Abeywardena corrected his statement and clarified that the President was still in the country.