Sri Lanka marked the completion of one year after the political crisis with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe urging the country to put party politics aside and protect democracy.
The political crisis which erupted on 26th October last year saw Wickremesinghe being replaced as Prime Minister by former President Mahinda Rajapksa.
President Maithripala Sirisena also decided to dissolve Parliament and hold elections but the move was found to be illegal and Wickremesinghe was reappointed as Prime Minister.
In a special statement today, the Prime Minister said that Speaker Karu Jayasuriya played a crucial role to protect democracy during the political crisis exactly one year ago. He said that the country has a duty and responsibility to ensure democracy and the future of the nation is protected.
Presidential elections in the country are scheduled for 16th of next month with 35 candidates in the fray including former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapksa and Minister Sajith Premadasa.