COLOMBO – Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Thursday suspendedparliament until May in a shock move amid a deepening power strugglebetween him and his unity government’s prime minister.
A government decree quoted the president as stating that he had haltedparliament’s meetings “with effect from midnight” Thursday under article 70of the constitution.
The move, scheduled to last until May 8, came hours after at least 16Sirisena loyalists, including six cabinet ministers, said they would leavethe troubled coalition.
Relations between the rival groups in the unity government have souredafter both suffered losses in February’s local council elections.
In recent weeks, Sirisena has reduced the powers of Prime Minister RanilWickremesinghe, removing from his control the central bank, thepolicy-making National Operations Room and several other institutions.
Parliament had been expected to meet again next Thursday.
Presidential officials declined to comment on the reason for the suspension.
“We have been surprised by the announcement,” one government legislator whorequested anonymity told AFP.
Just hours before he announced the suspension of parliament, Sirisena hadappointed acting ministers to the positions of those who quit the Cabinet.
Wickremesinghe last week won a motion of no confidence moved by the jointopposition and backed by Sirisena’s ministers as bickering grew between thetwo leaders.
Sirisena had demanded Wickremesinghe’s resignation to allow him to appointa prime minister of his choice. – APP/AFP