Special speech by Premier Ranil ...

Mr. Ranil Wickremasingha who was scheduled to be sworn in for the position of Prime Minister

He said that the revolution launched on January 8th should be further confirmed by the masses. He said that a discussion was made with President Maithripala Sirisena about a National Programme and that preparations are underway in the future to have discussions with leaders of all Parties and to plan out a National Programme and thereby reach an agreement. He pointed out that it is possible to take the country on the forward march supporting both methods of joining the government and thereby acquiring positions in the government or getting positions in the parliament. He further said that it is hoped to establish a special selection executive committee in parliament, establish district development co-ordinating boards for district development and to hand over their position of chairmanship to MPs; apart from this to establish Grama Rajya cluster villages. In addition discussions would be held to establish an advisory committee to solicit advice from civil organisations.

Accordingly, he pointed out that all religious leaders and others would be brought together and in order to solve the main problems in the country within the next 5 or 2 years and that it is necessary to go into an agreement, and a national agreement would be created and thereby through such a process a framework of policies would be established. He further mentioned that a request will be made from parliament for the approval of Good Governance for the purpose of working towards an agreeable programme together with all other leaders of Parties and invite them to join in conventionally and that to reject it would be rejecting the people's mandate.

Political sources report that Mr. Ranil Wickramasingha called on President Maithripala Sirisena last night and discussed matters lying ahead and that it is probable that Mr. Ranil Wickramasingha would be taking oaths as the Prime Minister tomorrow.