The rift between Sri Lanka’s President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, the two brothers from the country’s ruling Rajapaksa clan, is reportedly growing, threatening to exacerbate the political deadlock amid ongoing protests seeking the resignation of the top two leaders. 

As the political crisis grew in the country in the last few weeks, the two powerful brothers seem to have divergent views on the ways to handle the crisis. The first difference seemingly emerged when Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa avoided attending the oath ceremony of the new cabinet members. Reports suggested he was not consulted before the appointment of the new ministers. 

Days later, Prime Minister Rajapaksa told parliament that the government was open to amending the 19th and 20th Amendments, effectively reducing the power of the executive president and empowering Parliament and the prime minister. This time, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was reportedly not consulted before making such an important announcement. 

This was followed by claims and counterclaims by leaders of the two camps, with each one trying to undermine the authority of two powerful brothers. 

According to a report in Daily Mirror, the leaders loyal to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa are now lobbying for the removal of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to pave the way for the interim government under a new prime minister. They are also reportedly in touch with other disgruntled government lawmakers, seeking to explore the possibility of a no-confidence motion against him. 

On Monday, Udaya Gammanpila, former energy minister who is reportedly in touch with the president, said the prime minister had informed the Buddhist monks and party leaders that he was ready to resign as he had lost the numbers in Parliament—a claim the Office of the Prime Minister refuted later. 

However, most opposition parties are unwilling to form a government under the presidency of Gotabaya Rajapaksa, arguing that one of the key demands of the protestors is the resignation of the president. The SJB, the country’s main opposition party, has also refused to form an all-party interim government with lawmakers seen as sympathetic to the embattled president.  

The continued political instability at a time when the country has been witnessing one of the worst economic crises in decades could also impact the government’s ongoing talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other bilateral lenders.  

(SAM)