Colombo: tensions within the Rajapaksa family

Prime Minister Mahinda, President Gotabaya's brother, plans to support an amendment to the Constitution granting more powers to Parliament. Protesters continue to call for the resignation of the entire government, while some politicians have also called on the premier to leave office.

Colombo (AsiaNews) - A tug-of-war has begun between President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his brother, Prime Minister Mahinda: the latter is preparing to support the reintroduction of the 19th amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution, with the aim of reducing the powers of the Head of State and granting more to Parliament.

Political analysts explained to AsiaNews that the premier will soon present a new 19th amendment in Parliament with some changes to the current clauses. The 20th amendment, which grants the Sri Lankan president more powers than the cabinet, had been approved in 2020. Among the proposals, the consensus of all party leaders will be sought to urge Gotabaya to step down.

For weeks, there has been serious instability among Sri Lanka's political parties, including those in the ruling coalition that recently switched to the opposition, which has morphed into an 11-member alliance that is calling along with protesters across the country for the president's resignation.

Several members of the ruling party, including Dullas Alahapperuma, former information minister and cabinet spokesman, have also called on Premier Mahinda to leave office. "I urge the president to appoint a smaller government with true consensus that represents all parties in parliament and stays in office for up to one year," he said.

Senior political sources told AsiaNews that recent new ministerial appointments were launched by the president without consultation with the prime minister. PM Mahinda did not attend the swearing-in ceremonies, a sign of friction between the two brothers in power.

According to political analysts, the prime minister asked the president to include some senior ministers in the cabinet to calm down protesters who have been protesting for weeks in front of the Galle Face Green in Colombo. 

Former Prime Minister and United National Party (UPN) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe also hinted that he will support the 19th Amendment and suggested a discussion with leaders of all parties to seek proposals on what kind of solution is needed to resolve the current crisis.

Meanwhile, on April 23, the premier was also pressured to resign by former government allies who switched to the opposition after the worsening economic crisis that is plaguing the country, with blackouts and shortages of resources, including fuel and other essential goods.

However, the premier rejected their demands, insisting that the majority of those in power still support him. "People must be patient to overcome this crisis," he said, rejecting calls for a government of national unity. "There can be no interim government without me as premier."

Information Minister Nalaka Godahewa, previously a staunch supporter of the president, also announced his support for the thousands of protesters outside the presidential secretariat demanding that the Rajapaksa family relinquish power. The prime minister at a press conference announced that Temple Trees (the prime minister's official residence) would be open to "young protesters" if "ready for a discussion." He is of the opinion that "there is a protest. But as long as the protesters do not come for discussion, the demonstrations will continue without a solution being reached."

Meanwhile, on April 23, a march was organized in commemoration of Chaminda Lakshan, the victim of the police shooting in Rambukkana. Banners, wreaths and white flags with red spots reminiscent of blood were displayed in front of the premier's residence.

This month President Rajapaksa excluded two of his brothers, Chamal and Basil (former Finance Minister) and his nephew Namal from the new government, but the protesters rejected the changes considering them only "cosmetic".