The US State Department has called on Sri Lanka’s president “to immediately reconvene parliament” as the political crisis on the island continues following the appointment of Mahinda Rajapaksa as prime minister on Friday.
“The United States continues to follow developments in Sri Lanka with concern,” said the State Department press release.
“We urge all sides to refrain from intimidation and violence. We call on the President, in consultation with the Speaker, to immediately reconvene parliament and allow the democratically elected representatives of the Sri Lankan people to fulfill their responsibility to affirm who will lead their government.”
The statement comes after current Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena prorogued parliament until November 16th, as Mahinda Rajapaksa and Ranil Wickremesinghe – who both claim to be the current prime minister – tussle to gain a parliamentary majority.
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