Sri Lanka’s president Maithripala Sirisena has suspended parliamentary sittings as ousted Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe looks to prove majority in parliament according to emerging reports.
Sirisena has issued a gazette notification stating that Parliamentary sittings had been prorogued until November 16th, report news outlets.
Speaking to press the cabinet spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said,
“The president has prorogued the parliament with effect from 12 noon Saturday.”
The Gazette was issued as all parties continue negotiations to secure a majority in parliament.
Ranil Wickremesinghe pledged to constitutionally retain his post as prime minister by proving a larger majority in parliament than recently appointed Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The news came after Ranil Wickremesinghe urged the speaker of parliament to convene parliament on Sunday to allow him to prove his majority.
Several reports of crossovers to the Rajapaksa-Sirisena coalition have already emerged, with at least 30 MPs expected to crossover. Negotiations between all parties continue.
