Sri Lanka’s political predicament persists as President Sirisena refuses to reinstate ousted Prime Minister, Wickremesinghe
In a recent interaction with the press, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has refused to reinstate toppled Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe. The President asserted that Wickremesinghe was corrupt and unable to establish strong economic policies. He added that the former Prime Minister’s liberal governing was not suitable for Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka’s Parliament session convened last Monday was suspended within five minutes as the country’s 225-member assembly failed to establish common ground amidst ongoing political crisis. The newly appointed Prime Minister, Mahinda Rajapaksa maintained a tenacious grip on power as MPs sought suspension of state funds. Both the President and the Prime Minister have refused to accept the no-confidence vote against the PM. The parliament was adjourned till November 23.
The parliament session on Friday witnessed a drastic shift as Rajapaksa’s opponents united for the reinstatement of ousted PM Wickremesinghe. During the session, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya announced that the Parliament Selection Committee comprised seven Rajapaksa opponents and five supporters.
Wickremesinghe looks to make his return as the Sri Lankan Prime Minister as the opposition against Rajapaksa strengthens. President Sirisena, on the other hand, said he will not let Wickremesinghe be the Prime Minister, “in my lifetime”.
How the Sri Lankan political crisis unfolded
October 26, 2018: Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena sacks Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe after continued political tension between the two. Sirisena appoints former President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the new Prime Minister.
October 27, 2018: President Sirisena dissolves Parliament.
November 10, 2018: The president seeks to dissolve Parliament and calls for snap elections on January 5, 2019, two years ahead of schedule.
November 1, 2018: President Sirisena removes Parliament suspension and schedules Parliament session for November 5, 2018.
November 5, 2018: Sri Lankan Parliament speaker, Karu Jayasuriya rejects Mahinda Rajapaksa’s appointment as the new Prime Minister. Parliament majority continues to favour ousted Wickremesinghe, who refuses to leave office.
November 10, 2018: The president seeks to dissolve Parliament and calls for snap elections on January 5, 2019, two years ahead of schedule.
November 11, 2018: Newly appointed Prime Minister Rajapaksa splits from the party led by President Sirisena.
November 13, 2018: The Sri Lankan Supreme Court suspends President Sirisena’s decision to dissolve the Parliament.
November 14, 2018: Sri Lankan MPs pass no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Rajapaksa.
November 15, 2018: Parliament disrupted again as MPs clash against one another.
November 16, 2018: Violence continues in the Parliament.
November 18, 2018: President Sirisena calls for a third vote after rejecting no-confidence against PM Rajapaksa twice.
November 19, 2018: Parliament adjourned till November 23.
November 23, 2018: Parliament demands reinstatement of ousted Prime Minister Wickremesinghe.
November 26, 2018: President Sirisena refuses to even reinstate Wickremesinghe.
