NextGenSL urges that a new President be chosen by unanimous consent. In order to address Sri Lanka’s national crisis, NextGenSL, a group of cross-party youth political representatives, has urged the Government to avoid a frantic power struggle and to name a new President through a process of consensus.
The group claimed in a statement that four candidates have so far been named as candidates for the new President election, which will take place in Parliament on July 20.
Many rumors about covert talks, agreements, and illegal financial transactions to win over MPs for each candidate are being circulated as a result of the fierce competition that has developed around the secret ballot for the election of the President. None of that is particularly surprising given the 74 years of political culture in Sri Lanka.
The reality that Sri Lanka is presently experiencing the worst crisis in its history must not be overlooked. The only way we can get over this issue is by working extremely hard as a group. Analysis of the current state of affairs surrounding the election of the President reveals that there is not even a hint of such a coordinated effort. In its place, what is witnessed is a frantic power battle.
Therefore, the group asks that a new President be chosen by consensus among all the members of Parliament. A new Prime Minister and an all-party cabinet ought to be chosen at the same time to create a new Government for a short time within a common minimum programme, it recommended.
NextGenSL added that only with such broad-based agreement from all parties can the substantial reforms required to adequately handle such a severe crisis be implemented.
The election of the President in Parliament presents a fantastic opportunity to start down this path. The group kindly asks all political parties to use this occasion as a springboard for a shared understanding rather than using it as a cover for a savage power battle, it continued.
