Sri Lanka's president to reconvene parliament on November 5, says new PM
FILE PHOTO: Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena listens to a speech during a Parliament session marking the 70th anniversary of Sri Lanka's Government, in Colombo, Sri Lanka October 3, 2017. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte/File Photo
COLOMBO (Reuters) - Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena will reconvene parliament on Nov. 5, newly appointed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said on Thursday, as international pressure builds to resolve a political crisis.
Sirisena named the pro-China Rajapaksa as prime minister on Friday after abruptly dismissing the government of Ranil Wickremesinghe.
Wickremesinghe has said his removal is unconstitutional and has demanded he be allowed to prove his parliamentary majority.
“President has decided to reconvene the parliament on 5th,” Rajapaksa said addressing a meeting at the prime minister’s office.
Sirisena had earlier prorogued the parliament till Nov. 16 but political parties and foreign powers urged an earlier session to resolve the crisis.
Reporting by Ranga Sirilal and Shihar Aneez; Editing by Sanjeev Miglani
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