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COLOMBO (REUTERS) – Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena is under increasing pressure to uphold the island nation's constitution and reconvene parliament after her decision to replace the prime minister provoked political unrest.
Sri Lanka was plunged into crisis on Friday (October 26th) when Sirisena dismissed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremeshe and vowed that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa replaces him, thus breaking the fragile governing coalition on the island.
Wickremesinghe said his dismissal was illegal and unconstitutional. He maintains that he is still Prime Minister, which has caused a deadlock between his party and the unions loyal to Sirisena.
On Sunday, October 28, Petroleum Minister Arjuna Ranatunga attempted to return to his office, resulting in clashes in which one person was killed and two others wounded.
The crisis is having a major impact on South Asia's struggle for influence between India and China, Sri Lanka's traditional ally, which is playing an increasingly important role in the region.
China, long regarded as a supporter of Rajapaksa, has already congratulated on becoming prime minister.
But India, the European Union and the United States have all urged Sirisena to respect the constitution.
"We call on the President, in consultation with the President, to immediately convene the Parliament and allow the democratically elected representatives of the Sri Lankan people to assume their responsibilities to assert who will lead their government," said the spokeswoman. of the US State Department, Heather Nauert, statement.
Sources in the diplomatic missions said that most of the foreign emissaries had not yet sent congratulatory messages to Rajapaksa, as this could be interpreted as legitimizing the new government while there were still complaints about his unconstitutional appointment.
FALLOUT MARKET
The political turmoil comes at a critical juncture for a Sri Lankan economy struggling with slow growth and a weak currency.
If tensions persist, Sri Lanka may have trouble refinancing public debt maturing early in 2019 at an affordable rate, said Moody's rating agency.
The country's bonds were sold on Monday, while the Sri Lankan rupee fell to 0.58%, its lowest level.
"The sudden appointment of President Rajapaksa by the president greatly enhances political uncertainty," said Matthew Circosta, an analyst at Moody's Sovereign Risk Group.
"In addition, any social tensions likely to develop in the coming weeks would have a negative impact on the economy, which is already developing slowly."
India and Western countries have already expressed concern over Rajapaksa's ties with China, after it has invested billions of dollars in Beijing's investment to rebuild the country as a result of A 26-year war against the Tamil separatists in 2009.
This investment has since indebted Sri Lanka and forced it to cede control of a strategic port to China.
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