AMN / COLOMBO
Amid political upheaval, Sri Lanka’s newly-appointed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on Sunday called for a snap parliamentary election to allow people vote for a new programme to overcome the island nation’s economic and political crisis. This was the first public statement by the former strongman since President Maithripala Sirisena appointed him as the new premier after sacking Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday night.
“The primary objective of the political party leaders and parliamentarians who have joined me is to immediately hold the provincial council elections that had been postponed continuously and also to call a parliamentary election as soon as possible so as to give the people the opportunity to vote for a programme that will bring the country out of the encompassing economic, political and social crisis,” he said.
Mr Rajapaksa’s return to power ended a more than three-year-old coalition government that was formed by Mr Sirisena and Mr Wickremesinghe on a promise to combat corruption and financial irregularities.
One person killed when minister’s bodyguard fired live rounds at mob
One person was killed and two others injured when a minister’s bodyguard fired live rounds at a mob loyal to opposing side. Petroleum Minister Arjuna Ranatunga, belonging to United National Party ( UNP) had gone to his office this evening when the incident occurred.
Police said bodyguard of Minister fired live rounds as a mob allied to the President threatened the Cabinet member.It was the first report of serious violence since political uncertainty created after Friday decision.