The new Prime Minister of the UPFA government is expected to take oaths on Wednesday (21) informed sources said yesterday.

 

Sources further said that former Minister and senior SLFP member D.M. Jayaratne is most likely to take oaths as the new Prime Minister. Sources also indicated that a change in the Prime Minister post would take place after President Mahinda Rajapaksa takes oaths for his second term on November 18, 2010.

 

Therefore it was indicated that  the term of the Prime Minister who would take oaths on Wednesday would be limited till November 18. The names of former Prime Minster Ratnasiri Wickremenayake, SLFP General Secretary Maitripala Sirisena, former Leader of the House Nimal Siripala De Silva and President’s brother Basil Rajapaksa who obtained the highest number of preference votes have been nominated for the Prime Minster’s post.

 

However, sources said that it was the opinion of the President that the Premiership should be at least given to D.M.Jayaratne who is a very senior member of the party for at least a brief period. Mr. Jayaratne is a founder member of the SLFP.  

 

(DM)