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Sri Lankan soldiers at Mahinda Rajapakse after being sworn in as prime minister (AFP)
The Sri Lankan president has officially warned Ranil Wickremesinghe to resign as prime minister and acknowledge his dismissal in the wake of the constitutional crisis. A few hours after the dismissal of his former ally, President Maithripala Sirisena issued gazettes formalizing the dramatic gesture and installation of the new Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse, first strongman. However, Wickremesinghe continued to occupy Temple Trees, the prime minister's official residence, and insisted on a letter to Sirisena to inform him that he was still in office. He stated that he could only be dismissed by Parliament if his party had a majority, and also pledged to sue the action that he condemned, judged unconstitutional.
Here are the live updates on the constitutional crisis in Sri Lanka:
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is recovering and is seeking an urgent parliamentary session.
This sudden development occurred because of growing tensions between President Sirisena and Prime Minister Wickremesinghe on several policy issues. The president criticized the prime minister and his policies, particularly in the area of economy and security.
Reacting sharply to his dismissal, Ranil Wickremesinghe said on Friday that he would remain prime minister until he enjoyed a majority in parliament. "Only I have the majority.The only way to change, is by a motion of censure or if I resign," said Mr. Wickremesinghe, referring to the 19th Amendment to the Constitution.
The Speaker of Parliament, Karu Jayasuriya, said that he would decide today whether or not he recognizes Mahinda Rajapakse as the new Prime Minister, after seeking legal advice.
(Photo: Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe)
In April, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe successfully rejected a motion of censure passed in Parliament by President Sirisena with the support of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The unified National Party or UNP of Mr. Wickremesinghe, however, suffered a defection after the swearing in of Mahinda Rajapaksa. Ananda Aluthgamage met with the former president and gave her support.
The political crisis opened after President Sirisena's expanded political front, the People's Alliance for People's Liberty (UPFA), announced his decision to leave the current union government ( coalition) with UNP Prime Minister Wickremesinghe.
The (coalition) government was formed in 2015 when Sirisena was elected president with the support of Prime Minister Wickremesinghe, ending a nearly ten-year regime of Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Mahinda Rajapaksa is considered to have close ties with China.
(Photo: Mahinda Rajapaksa)
After Mahinda Rajapaksa was sworn in as the new Sri Lankan prime minister at the presidential secretariat in Colombo, Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena wrote to Ranil Wickremesinghe, informing him that he had been fired .
"I had appointed you prime minister under Article 42 (1) of the Constitution and as the appointing authority, write to inform you that you have been removed from your duties of Prime Minister, "wrote President Sirisena in a letter of dismissal. the outgoing Prime Minister.
Mark Field, British Minister in charge of Asia and the Pacific on Twitter, called on all parties to ensure compliance with the constitution, while the US Embassy in Colombo called on all parties to ensure compliance with the constitution. Abstain from violence and comply with procedures.
Under the Sri Lankan constitution, inspired by the French system of government, the president has executive powers while the prime minister heads the parliament.
Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera tweeted that "the appointment of Mahinda Rajapaksa to the post of prime minister is unconstitutional and illegal, it is an undemocratic coup d'etat".
Ranil Wickremesinghe claimed that the swearing-in of Mahinda Rajapaksa in his place was completely "illegal and unconstitutional" and that he would prove his majority in the Sri Lankan Parliament.
Mr. Wickremesinghe, who belongs to the United National Party or the UNP, has promised to continue to serve as Prime Minister, although he has been removed from office by President Sirisena. He started his speech to the nation yesterday saying, "I'm talking to you as Prime Minister." He went on to say, "I will continue to be the Prime Minister, the appointment of Mahinda Rajapaksa is unconstitutional."
Hours after the dismissal of Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sri Lankan President Sirisena published two notices in the Official Journal. The first opinion concerned the withdrawal of Mr Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister and the second concerning the appointment of Mahinda Rajapaska as new President, The Colombo Gazette of Sri Lanka reported today.
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena this morning issued two special notices in the Gazette, declaring the controversial leader Mahinda Rajapaksa as the new Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. In doing so, President Sirisena officially recognized the dramatic dismissal of Ranil Wickremesinghe as prime minister, resulting in a constitutional crisis in the island nation.
(Photo: Mahinda Rajapakse (left) was sworn in by Maithripala Sirisena as Sri Lankan Prime Minister)
"We call on all parties to act in accordance with Sri Lanka's constitution, to abstain from any violence and to respect the procedure," the US State Department said on Twitter. "We expect the Sri Lankan government to respect the commitments made in Geneva regarding respect for human rights, reform, accountability, justice and reconciliation," the government said.
The United States called on all parties in Sri Lanka to abide by the constitution and abstain from any violence, with the sacking of the prime minister by the president triggering a crisis. Washington also urged the island to pursue post-war reconciliation after President Maithripala Sirisena was elected Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse.
Sri Lanka's former president and new prime minister, Mahinda Rajapakse, arrives at a temple after being sworn in as prime minister in Colombo (AFP)
"I'm addressing you as Prime Minister of Sri Lanka," Ranil Wickremesinghe told reporters at a nationwide media press conference broadcast on Friday night. "I remain Prime Minister and I will act as Prime Minister".
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