If people think that this crisis can be resolved within 2 weeks and expect Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to use his contacts and resolve the economic crisis in Sri Lanka, it is only a political mischief by the people to create panic. He made this statement while speaking in Parliament today (21). "When Ranil Wickremesinghe was appointed people made up stories that Ranil will use his contacts and resolve the economic crisis. But the fact remains that we are in a severe crisis and negotiations will take time and much needed efforts. We are looking as temporary relief and we are also looking into long term relief as well. These stories are political mischief to stir up the masses. Ranil took over the country and in his mind, he wanted to help the people and attend to urgent needs," said Nanayakkara. He further noted that within the last 2 weeks there is some sort of improvement because of the Premier and added that people need to be patient until the crisis is resolved. "By stirring panic within the population, we might face other problems. Some politicians are waiting to throw stones and fling mud, but everyone in parliament must work together to work for the betterment of this country. Parliamentarians must look into the needs of the people. People are looking for fuel, financial stability and education for their children. There are people who don't have 3 meals or even 2 meals in a day, and we need to focus on the people and not politics now, that is our responsibility," he added. Nanayakkara further revealed that just before the Prime Minister was asked by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to lead the country as the Prime Minister, both Nanayakkara and Harin Fernando had informed SJB leader Sajith Premadasa to step up and take the position. "We informed Sajith that Ranil has been asked to step in and he would be taking oaths the following day, but Sajith did not believe us. We even told him on the very same day, but by then, Sajith was sitting and drafting a letter to the President. It was too late by then, and it had already been determined that Ranil would be the Prime Minister. But just as Ranil was about to take oaths, Sajith declares that he is ready to take over. What is the point of this then. No one believed us and only want to play politics," he concluded.