#ConstitutionalCrisis: US urges Sri Lankan parties to refrain from violence
The US urged political parties in Sri Lanka to abide by the Constitution and refrain from violence, as the island nation faces a constitutional crisis after President Maithripala Sirisena sacked his former ally Ranil Wickremesinghe and made controversial strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa the new premier. The US State Department said it is following the development in Sri Lanka. Here's more.
Mahinda Rajapaksa sworn in as new PM replacing Ranil Wickremesinghe
We call on parties to follow the constitutional process: US
"We call on all parties to act in accordance with Sri Lanka's Constitution, refrain from violence, and follow the due process," the US State Department said in a tweet. "We expect the government of SL to uphold its Geneva commitments to human rights, reform, accountability, justice, and reconciliation," the South and Central Asia Bureau of the State Department said.
Sirisena and Wickremesinghe had political tension growing between them
Rajapaksa, 72, staged a dramatic political comeback on Friday, becoming the new Prime Minister after Sirisena sacked Wickremesinghe, who termed the move as "unconstitutional" and vowed to prove his majority in Parliament. The move that took SL by surprise came amid growing tensions between Sirisena and Wickremesinghe on several policy matters even as the President remained critical of the Prime Minister and his policies.
Rajapaksa swearing-in is "illegal": Wickremesinghe
Ranil Wickremesinghe has asserted that the swearing-in of Rajapaksa is "illegal and unconstitutional" and he will prove his majority in Parliament.
