Conflict

To end political stalemate, Sri Lanka President lifts suspension on Parliament

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has lifted the suspension of parliament and convened a meeting of the legislature on Monday to end the current political stalemate in the country over the sudden sacking of prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, officials said Thursday, as per a report by PTI.

Last Friday, in a surprising move, President Sirisena replaced Wickremesinghe with former president and Opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Sirisena also suspended Parliament until November 16, which experts said was meant to buy time to engineer crossovers from Wickremesinghe’s side to Rajapaksa in the 225 member parliament to reach the 113 majority mark.

Sirisena and parliament Speaker Karu Jayasuria discussed the issue yesterday and later hinted that he may call the sessions next week.

The suspension had occurred after Wickremesinghe had urged the speaker to convene the parliament to prove that he still retained his parliamentary majority.

Rajapakse was sworn in on Friday night and soon after, his supporters reportedly stormed several state media institutions and intimidated staff.

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