Political Crisis In Sri Lanka : President Dissolves Parliament, General Election In January 2019

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The political crisis in Sri Lanka has escalated further. In a surprise move that stunned many political observers, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena dissolved the country’s parliament, paving the way for an early General election . Some media reports suggest January 2019 as possible date for polls and parliament would be convened after that.

The political upheaval in Sri Lanka was due to the sudden dismissal of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe by the President and installation of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Wickremesinghe, who dubbed the move as a ‘constitutional coup’, has refused to vacate his official residence, saying he is the lawful prime minister and that the president has no constitutional right to replace him.

“We vehemently reject the dissolution of parliament. He has robbed the people of their rights”, Wickremesinghe led United National Party (UNP) said in a statement.

A fresh parliamentary election could be held in early January following president Sirisena’s sudden decision to dissolve the 225-member assembly, political parties said.

Sirisena signed an official notification dismissing the 225-member assembly well ahead of its August 2020 term expiry, state television reported.