Amid speculation of the growing rift within the government, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said he agreed with the idea of the formation of an interim government and thus invited leaders of political parties for talks, despite his brother, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, refusinging to resign as long as he enjoyed the support of lawmakers.

The development came as the island country of twenty-two million people faces a crippling economic crisis, resulting in a shortage of fuel, food, and essentials amid skyrocketing inflation. Continued nationwide protests demanding the resignation of the president and the prime minister have also put the government under considerable pressure.

But both the Rajapaksa brothers are refusing to resign, arguing they enjoy the support of the people and lawmakers. However, there are reports of a growing rift between the two over the ways to handle the political crises which threaten the country's recovery plan.

In a recent interview with Daily Mirror, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, however, refuted the reports of a rift with his younger brother, the country’s president. “This is all false….But he is the President and I respect him for that. Like everyone else we also argue, even in the cabinet we argue. But our arguments stop there. He is the President and I am the Prime Minister and we are on the same page,” he was quoted as saying in the interview.

When asked if he would resign, he said, “At this moment I still hold the majority seats in Parliament. But I do not know if this would change. That is politics. If a majority of the MPs feel I must go, then I must go. There is no question about this.” 

The remark is significant as around 40 government lawmakers recently formed an independent group, separating themselves from the ruling coalition. Some of these lawmakers are also lobbying for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to sack the prime minister.

PM Mahinda Rajapaksa, however, said he would resign in case he loses the majority. “The opposition is not a strange place for me,” he said.

(SAM)