Parliamentarian of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Dullas Alahapperuma, who is hopeful of becoming President as per political sources, has met with former President Maithripala Sirisena, the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).
Sources say Mr Alahapperuma could contest the Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa for the Office of President, which will fall vacant upon the resignation of incumbent Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
The SLFP had already held several rounds of talks with Samagi Jana Balawegaya, the political party of Mr Sajith Premadasa. They have also been a part of a Steering Committee tasked with deciding on the way forward.
It will be interesting to see which way the SLFP will be leaning, if the Presidency came to a vote in Parliament. They have also been lobbying to prevent a vote in Parliament, and for common agreement among all political parties.
President Gotabaya had sent message through the Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, that he will be resigning from office on 13 July. He had decided so after hundreds of thousands stormed his official residence, despite heavy security presence.
The President himself has left and his whereabouts remain a secret for security reasons. Foreign Media had reported that he was not allowed by Immigration officers to depart Sri Lanka.
However, the President of the Sri Lanka Immigration and Emigration Officers’ Association refuted such claims and stated that there were no legal provisions to prevent a sitting President from travelling abroad. He also stated that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa did not come to the Bandaranaike International Airport.
After the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, if Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe remains in office, he will take over as acting President until Parliament can elect a President to serve out the rest of the term. Otherwise Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena will take over as acting President.
As per the Presidential Election (Special Provisions) Act of 1981, Parliament will be summoned on 15 July. The House will be informed of the vacancy in the Office of President and nominations for the position will be accepted on 19 July. The Parliament will elect a new President on 20 July.
