President Maithripala Sirisena’s government has wasted its first hundred days, mainly due to the lack of authority in parliament, The Economist said in its latest Asian Edition.

April 23, the day on which the 100 Days Program ended, should have been a day to celebrate. However, President Sirisena has a long way to go in building a ‘new country’ as he promised, the magazine said.

It also pointed out that the main concern of Sirisena government was trying to obtain the support of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party. Although Maithripala Sirisena is the SLFP Chairman, former president Mahinda Rajapaksa still enjoys considerable support within the party.

The Economist recalled a recent event in parliament to stress the point. On April 21, a petition signed by 113 legislators was handed over to the Speaker demanding the removal of the Director General of the Bribery Commission. “The petition carried a symbolic message: it would take only as many MPs to bring an impeachment motion against Mr Sirisena, should they wish to,” the magazine stated.

The previous government enjoyed a two thirds majority in parliament. “The new administration has only managed to cobble together diverse and disloyal groups,” The Economist further pointed out.

A Deputy Minister has commented to The Economist on the situation saying “even though we are in government, it’s as if we are in the opposition.” Due to this situation, Sirisena might call for early elections to strengthen his position in parliament, the magazine added.