The UN Secretary General, António Guterres urged the Sri Lankan president to allow "parliament to vote as soon as possible," and offered to facilitate dialogue between "all parties" in a phonecall on Thursday.
In a statement on Friday Gutteres' office outlined the contents of the phonecall, after Sirisena tweeted: "I had a very successful telephone conversation with UN Secretary General H.E. António Guterres last evening. I assured him that the appointment of the new Prime Minister has been done in keeping with the Constitution of Sri Lanka."
"The Secretary-General informed the President that he was following the latest developments in Sri Lanka with concern and offered assistance in facilitating a dialogue with all the parties to resolve the situation. He emphasized the Government’s responsibility to ensure peace, security and respect for the rule of law."
"The Secretary-General urged the President to revert to Parliamentary procedures and allow the Parliament to vote as soon as possible. He encouraged the Government to uphold its earlier commitments to human rights, justice and reconciliation, in line with Human Rights Council resolutions."
Welcoming the UN Secretary General's comments, the British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, James Dauris tweeted: "I see that @UN Secretary-General has urged HE President Sirisena "to revert to Parliamentary procedures and allow the Parliament to vote as soon as possible". I'm sure his call will be welcomed by the many organisations and individuals in #SriLanka who have made the same request."
The deputy chief of mission at the US embassy in Colombo, Robert Hilton tweeted, "The Secretary-General urged the President to revert to Parliamentary procedures, allow Parliament to vote, encouraged the Government to uphold its earlier commitments to human rights, justice and reconciliation, in line w Human Rights Council resolutions."
