UN Secretary-General welcomes resolution of political crisis in Sri Lanka
UN chief Antonio Guterres has welcomed the resolution of the political crisis in Sri Lanka and called on all the political actors to resolve all outstanding differences in the interest of people of the country. He welcomed the resolution of the political crisis in the island nation through peaceful and constitutional means. Post the crisis, Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn as PM on December 16.
Guterres applauds the resilience of country's democratic institutions: Spokesman
"The Secretary-General welcomes the resolution of the political crisis in Sri Lanka through peaceful, constitutional means, and applauds the resilience of the country's democratic institutions," Guterres' spokesman Stephane Dujarric said yesterday. He said the Secretary-General calls on all political actors to seize the opportunity of the appointment of the new cabinet to resolve outstanding political differences in the same spirit of respect for democracy.
Sirisena names 30-member Cabinet, rejects some of Wickremesinghe's nominees
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday named a 30-member Cabinet, while rejecting some of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's nominees, and retaining control over the security forces and police. The new Cabinet was appointed after an unexpected delay of three days, since Wickremesinghe was sworn in as Prime Minister on December 16, following weeks of political crisis that led to government dysfunction.
Sirisena rejected those who defected from his party during crisis
Sirisena rejected Wickremesinghe's nominees for Cabinet positions of those who had defected from his Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP). At least three senior SLFP leaders had defected to Ranil Wickremesinghe's United National Party (UNP) during the political crisis in the country.
Sirisena had vowed publicly not to reinstate Wickremesinghe as PM
On October 26, Sirisena sacked Prime Minister Wickremesinghe and installed Mahinda Rajapaksa in his place, triggering an unprecedented constitutional crisis. Sirisena also dissolved the 225-member Parliament and called for a snap election on January 5. He publicly vowed not to reinstate Wickremesinghe. However, Wickremesinghe was re-appointed as prime minister by Sirisena following a Supreme Court order, ending the 51-day political standoff in the country.
