A group of Buddhist monks and leaders from the extremist Bodu Bala Sena organisation have slammed Western countries for “unnecessary interference and influence” amidst calls to reconvene parliament as Sri Lanka’s political crisis continues.

“As an independent and sovereign state , Sri Lanka can resolve our political issues on our own,” said a letter delivered by Sinhala Buddhist monks to the British High Commission in Colombo last week. “We do not want any so called western international community unnecessary interference and influence to resolve our own problems (sic).”

“Studying your statements we have realised that you have got biased information from your diplomatic and other channels about Sri Lanka’s present situation,” the letter added.

“We monks of Bodu Bala Sena and other Buddhist organisations urge you not to make any such statements of this nature without proper study and clear information . This is unfair and disturb highly to resolve our internal matters peacefully, democratically and constitutionally.”

Several Western nations have warned Colombo that parliament must immediately reconvene, as Mahinda Rajapaksa and Ranil Wickremesinghe tussle for parliamentary majority.

The European Union stated that crisis may lead to trade concessions being withdrawn, whilst others including the ICG and senior US policy figure Samantha Power called for the threat of sanctions to be used against Sri Lanka.

Former British minister Hugo Swire meanwhile spoke of the UK’s concerns over bribery and tweeted “we are watching”.