PM Ranil invites Sajith to support new govt.

Prime Minister and United National Party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday invited the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa to join hands towards a 'partyless Government' that would go beyond the current political framework for the country to emerge from the prevailing economic, social and political crisis.

In a letter delivered to the Opposition Leader yesterday, the newly appointed Prime Minister said there was a "historic responsibility" cast upon all parties to ensure the country came out of the crisis beyond partisan politics.

The signed letter stated that it was imperative that all parties got together to obtain international support by ensuring political stability in the country.

Mr. Premadasa responded to the invitation within hours, stating that the SJB was willing to find a solution to the gravest crisis facing the country and was willing to support any "correct decisions" that would help ease the economic burdens of the people.

His letter had annexed the two letters he had sent to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on his invitations to the SJB to join in a National Government and pointed out that the people's demand was for an administration that was without the Rajapaksas in it.