COLOMBO
Hectic political parleys are on after the parliament passed a no-confidence motion against new Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.
President Maithripala Sirena met MPs supporting Mr Rajapaksa on Wednesday evening.
He will also meet minority parties to discuss the situation.
The Speaker had earlier sent a copy of the no-confidence motion and its decision along with signatures of 122 MPs to President requesting him to take appropriate action.
The motion declared that the appointment of the new Prime Minister and cabinet by the President was against the constitution.
A spokesman for Rajapaksa government admitted they lacked a majority in parliament but claimed their opponents also did not have the numbers. He asserted that the government will continue.
Ousted Prime Minister Ranil Wickremsinghe addressing a press conference called upon government servants and police not to carry out illegal government not recognized by Parliament.
His party has called for a mass protest in capital Colombo tomorrow saying it will send a message to President to stop his arbitrary and unconstitutional act.
However, the MPs belonging to new government termed the vote as illegal claiming that speaker is biased and demanded for President’s intervention.
A spokesman for Rajapaksa government admitted they lacked a majority in parliament but claimed their opponents also did not have the numbers.
He asserted that the government will continue. Sri Lanka has been facing political crisis since President Maithripala Sirisena appointed Mahinda Rajapaksa as new Prime minister replacing Ranil Wickremsinghe last month.
He followed it with prorogation of Parliament and finally with dissolution. However, Supreme Court stayed the dissolution making way for parliament to be convened.