Political stalemate continues in Sri Lanka: Prez Sirisena to make big announcement tomorrow

NewsBharati    15-Feb-2018
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Colombo, February 15: Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena will make a special statement on Friday in the wake of ongoing political crisis as both main parties have claimed to form their own government.

Ministers of both Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and United National Party (UNP) met President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday to finalise the committee, which is supposed to submit its report within three days.

A section of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) MPs supporting the President, demanded that he allow them to form the government. They called for Transport minister Nimal Siripala to be appointed as the Prime Minister, claiming that they will garner the support of majority in Parliament.

The President has reportedly asked them to show numbers to prove their majority claim. It is a difficult situation in Sri Lankan politics after declaration of local body poll results.

Earlier, United National Party, UNP-led by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe claimed to form its own government as SLFP ministers in the national unity government demanded Prime Minister’s resignation after suffering defeat at local body elections.

While some of SLFP ministers are willing to ally with Prime Minister Ranil to form a government, the majority are against his continuation. They have claimed to form a government on their own with support of faction led by former President Rajapakse.

However, there is another twist with the 19th amendment of constitution, which prohibits President from removing Prime minister without approval of majority MPs. There are many who are advocating for continuation of unity government but which way the politics will take turn, will be known only over next few days.