Ranil refuses to resign during talks with Maithripala

Talks held between President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe last night ended in stalemate yesterday with no agreement reached, sources said.

More talks are expected to be held today as both sides look to make key changes following the Government’s defeat at the just concluded Local Government (LG) elections.

According to reports the President had urged the Prime Minister to resign and make way for a new Prime Minister from the UNP in order to continue with the unity Government.

The Prime Minister had however refused to bow down to the demands of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).

Another proposal that had been made was for the SLFP to join a UNP-led United National Front (UNF) Government.

However several SLFP Ministers had refused to be part of a UNF Government and threatened to remain independent in Parliament.

As a result the President had urged the Prime Minister to step down and appoint a new UNP leader and Prime Minister but?Wickremesinghe has so far refused to do so. (Colombo Gazette)