US urges Sri Lanka president to ‘immediately reconvene parliament’

US urges Sri Lanka president to ‘immediately reconvene parliament’

October 29, 2018   08:40 am

The US State Department on Sunday called on Sri Lanka’s president to “immediately reconvene parliament” to allow representatives there to quell a violent constitutional crisis sparked by the prime minister’s sudden sacking.

“We urge all sides to refrain from intimidation and violence,” State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement.

“We call on the President, in consultation with the Speaker, to immediately reconvene parliament and allow the democratically elected representatives of the Sri Lankan people to fulfil their responsibility to affirm who will lead their government.”

President Maithripala Sirisena fired Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday and installed a former strongman as the new prime minister, triggering political chaos in the Indian Ocean nation.

Police said one man was killed and two people were injured Sunday when bodyguards for Petroleum Minister Arjuna Ranatunga, a Wickremesinghe loyalist, fired live rounds as a mob allied to the president threatened the cabinet member.

Wickremesinghe has refused to vacate the prime minister’s official residence since being controversially deposed, declaring his dismissal illegal and demanding an emergency session of parliament to prove he still commands a majority.

-AFP
Agencies

Disclaimer: All the comments will be moderated by the AD editorial. Abstain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or slanderous. Please avoid outside hyperlinks inside the comment and avoid typing all capitalized comments. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by flagging them(mouse over a comment and click the flag icon on the right side). Do use these forums to voice your opinions and create healthy discourse.

Most Viewed Video Stories

Sri Lanka, China successfully conclude 12th round of diplomatic consultations (English)

Sri Lanka, China successfully conclude 12th round of diplomatic consultations (English)

President unveils govt's roadmap for socio-economic reforms and accelerated development (English)

Public urged not to panic; Minister assures no fuel shortage (English)

CBSL governor hopes banks will reduce lending rates after policy rate cut (English)

'SL VLOG' owner Bruno Divakara remanded over Nathasha Edirisooriya’s stand-up gig

What will happen to three-wheeler and bus fares after fuel price revision?

The list of individuals required to register with Inland Revenue Dept.

Inflation expected to come down to single-digit level by end of July