Parliament dissolved in Sri Lanka: US, UK express concern
Washington, Nov 10 (IBNS): The US government has expressed its concern over the Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena's decision of dissolving the Parliament on Friday.
The US said the move will further deepen the political crisis in the island nation.
US Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA) tweeted: "The US is deeply concerned by news the Sri Lanka Parliament will be dissolved, further deepening the political crisis. As a committed partner of #SriLanka, we believe democratic institutions and processes need to be respected to ensure stability and prosperity."
The US is deeply concerned by news the Sri Lanka Parliament will be dissolved, further deepening the political crisis. As a committed partner of #SriLanka, we believe democratic institutions and processes need to be respected to ensure stability and prosperity.
— State_SCA (@State_SCA) November 9, 2018
Mark Field, the British minister of State for Asia and the Pacific, said the move of dissolving the Parliament left him feel 'concerned'.
"Concerned by news that #SriLanka’s Parliament has been dissolved days before it was due to be reconvened. As a friend of Sri Lanka, the UK calls on all parties to uphold the constitution and respect democratic institutions and processes," he tweeted.
Concerned by news that #SriLanka’s Parliament has been dissolved days before it was due to be reconvened. As a friend of Sri Lanka, the UK calls on all parties to uphold the constitution and respect democratic institutions and processes.
— Mark Field MP (@MarkFieldUK) November 9, 2018
President Maithripala Sirisena has signed the proclamation to dissolve Parliament with effect from midnight today, co-Cabinet Spokesman State Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told Sri Lanka's Daily Mirror.
Meanwhile, general elections in the island nation will be held on Jan 5.
The extraordinary gazette notice had been issued with respect to holding the General Elections and accordingly it would be held on Jan 5, 2019, UPFA MP Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena told Daily Mirror.
Speaking to the Sri Lankan newspaper, he said the first meeting of the new Parliament would be held on Jan 17, 2019.
“The nominations would be tendered from November 9 to 26,” Lakshman Yapa said.
Sri Lanka is passing through a political crisis since late October.
Last month, Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena on Friday sacked Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and appointed former president Mahinda Rajapaksa as the new premier.
He took oath as the new premier of the country on Oct 26.
Relations between Sirisena and Wickremesinghe's political parties, who have governed in coalition since 2015, received setback since both suffered humiliating losses in February's local council elections.
According to reports, they have clashed in cabinet last week over government plans to lease a container terminal to neighbouring India.
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