Colombo, November 14
Sri Lanka’s Parliament on Wednesday passed a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa who was installed by President Maithripala Sirisena in a controversial move, a day after the Supreme Court overturned the presidential decree to dissolve the House and hold snap polls on January 5.
Amid raucous scenes, Parliament on Wednesday met for the first time since October 26, when President Sirisena sacked Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, installed Rajapaksa in his place and suspended the House, plunging the island nation into an unprecedented constitutional crisis.
Speaker Karu Jayasuriya announced that a majority of the 225-member Parliament supported the no-confidence motion against Rajapaksa, the 72-year-old former strongman, who ruled the country for a decade from 2005.
“According to the voice, I recognise that the government has no majority,” Jayasuriya announced in the House as Rajapaksa supporters protested. He gave the ruling after the no-confidence motion was taken for a vote.
The passing of the no-confidence motion comes as a major blow to president Sirisena and a victory to ousted Prime Minister Wickremesinghe. The resolution was moved by left wing Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna party leader Anura Kumara Dissanayaka and law maker Vijitha Herath.
The Tamil National Alliance and smaller Muslim parties all supported the no-confidence motion. Three newly sworn Cabinet ministers and a state minister also crossed over to the Opposition benches in support.
Prime Minister Rajapaksa needed the support of a minimum of 113 lawmakers in the House to prove his majority.
Supporters of Rajapaksa refused to recognise the vote as legitimate, plunging the country deeper into crisis.
Jayasuriya later adjourned the House until 10 am on Thursday. Speaker Jayasuriya has written to President Sirisena, asking him to take further constitutional action.
A copy of the motion with 122 signatures of lawmakers, who have expressed lack of confidence in Prime Minister Rajapaksa and his Cabinet, has been sent to Sirisena. — PTI
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