Crisis in Sri Lanka: Mahinda Rajapaksa runs out of magic number to prove the majority: Keheliya Rambukwella

The strong man and former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa did not not yet reached the "magic number" 113 required to prove his majority in Parliament.

Sri Lanka is facing a major constitutional crisis after President Maithripala Sirisena ousted Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and replaced him with Mr. Rajapaksa and suspended Parliament.

Without specifying the exact figure of legislators supporting Rajapaksa, told reporters, Keheliya Rambukwella, spokesman for the Alliance for People's Liberty, told reporters: "We currently have 105 to 106 deputies. "

million. Rambukwella is one of the named ministers after the outbreak of the political crisis on October 26. He is currently the Minister of Media and Information in place.

million. Sirisena had declared at a rally the support of 113 parliamentarians from the 225-member Chamber of Deputies to prove that Rajapaksa was Prime Minister.

His remarks were made after President Karu Jayasuriya had criticized Mr. Wickremeshehe's "unconstitutional and undemocratic" actions and suspended Parliament, saying that he would do so would not recognize Mr. Rajapaksa as the new Prime Minister. Minister, unless he wins a soil test.

As eight legislators of the Unified National Party (UNP) and one of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) moved to Rajapaksa camp, the former president hoped to be allowed to speak.

million. Sirisena had suspended the work of Parliament until 16 November after firing Mr Wickremesinghe and replacing him with Mr Rajapaksa.

However, because of national and international pressure, Mr. Sirisena then convened Parliament on November 14th.

The sudden constitutional crisis came amid increasing tensions between Mr. Sirisena and Mr. Wickremesinghe on a number of policy issues with Professor Pr. The President criticized the Prime Minister and his policies, particularly with regard to the economy and the economy. of security.

million. Wickremsinghe remains convinced of being able to prove his majority in parliament.

million. Wickremesinghe, whose party called Sirisena's movement a "constitutional coup". ", refused to leave his official residence, claiming that he was the legitimate prime minister and that the president had no constitutional right to replace him.