President Maithripala Sirisena has called a conference with the participation of all political parties represented in the Parliament, with the aim of bringing an end to the political crisis in Sri Lanka, Presidential Media Division said.
United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday the party which had a majority would have its say despite the incidents that took place in Parliament yesterday.
Sri Lanka’s parliament descended into chaos for a second day on Friday as lawmakers supporting newly appointed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa threw books, chili paste and water bottles at the speaker to try to disrupt a second no-confidence motion.
MP Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene giving a statement after a meeting with the President noted that the President informed them, that he will not appoint Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Prime Minister again.
Speaker of House Karu Jayasuriya has informed President Maithripala Sirisena that a No-Confidence Motion was passed against Mahinda Rajapaksa in Parliament today.
The parliament session was adjourned till 1 pm on November 19 (Monday) after the Speaker was thrown at objects and disruptions caused by the government MPs.
Police personnel have entered the Parliament chamber to control the situation due to the protest by government MPs, who are obstructing the commencement of the parliamentary session.
Parliament was set to convene at 1.30 pm this afternoon. However, proceedings of parliament are yet to officially begin. A large number of UPFA members of parliament have surrounded the Speaker’s chair. MP Arundika Fernando is currently seated in the Speaker’s chair.
President Maithripala Sirisena called on all factions in Parliament to abide by the norms and traditions of Parliament and go for a vote by name to show their majority when Parliament meets today.
Parliamentarian Indika Anurudhdha lodged a complaint, with the Parliament Police, that MPs Ranjan Ramanayake and Palitha Thewarapperuma carried knives, when violence erupted in the House yesterday (15) and had threatened saying, “I will kill you if you step forward”.
Deputy Leader of the United National Party Sajith Premadasa, addressing party supporters who gathered at the Lipton Circus in Colombo, stated that he is ready to take up the leadership.
The prices of Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) petrol (92 and 95) and Diesel (Auto and Super) would be reduced by Rs.5 per litre with effect from midnight today, Minister Gamini Lokuge said today.
Several roads in Colombo are congested due to the United National Party rally which is to begin in few minutes at Lipton Circus against the unconstitutional moves by the government.
