The UK parliament today discussed Sri Lanka’s political crisis precipitated by President Maithripala Sirisena’s decision to sack Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and appoint former President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Prime Minister in violation of the Constitution.
Former Foreign Secretary Sir Hugo Swire in the House of Commons today drawing attention to the political crisis in Sri Lanka asked the Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt to point out to the Sri Lankan President that the international community recognizes Ranil Wickremesinghe as the legitimate Prime Minister of Sri Lanka and only a vote in parliament can change his status.
Mr. Hunt in response said they are worried about Prime Minister Wickremesinghe’s safety and monitoring the situation closely
Following is the transcript of the conversation:
Sir Hugo Swire (East Devon) (Con)
When my right hon. Friend speaks to the President of Sri Lanka later on in the week, will he point out that his recent actions are in direct contravention of the 19th amendment to Sri Lanka’s constitution, that the international community continues to recognise Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe as the legitimate Prime Minister, that this can only be changed by a vote in Parliament, and that Parliament must be recalled as a matter of urgency in order that such a vote can take place?
Mr Jeremy Hunt
I will certainly be making those points when I talk to President Sirisena. I know that a number of Members are concerned about the safety of Prime Minister Wickremesinghe, and we are watching the situation with a great deal of concern.
Courtesy: Colombo Page
