Asia Politics

Sri Lanka's president to reconvene parliament as international pressure builds 

Key Points
  • Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena will reconvene parliament on Nov. 5, the country's newly appointed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said on Thursday.
  • Sirisena had earlier suspended the parliament till Nov. 16 but political parties and foreign powers urged an earlier session to resolve the crisis.
Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena greets his supporters during a rally at Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka on Wednesday 10 January 2017. 
Tharaka Basnayaka | NurPhoto | Getty Images

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.