Lanka crisis: Prez’s party takes U- turn, keeps Parl suspended
The announcement of the Parliament convening on Monday had boosted hopes that lawmakers would be allowed to vote on which of the arch- foes they support.
But late on Thursday, Ma hinda na nd a Aluthgamage, a spokesman for the President’s party, announced that Parliament will only reconvene on November 16 in line with the early suspension order. “On Monday we will have a mass rally near Parliament.”
Mr Sirisena set off the crisis last Friday by sacking Ranil Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister and bringing in former strongman leader Mahinda Rajapakse.
According to the latest count, Wickremesinghe has 104 MPs while Rajapakse and Sirisena together have 99. A majority of the 22 remaining MPs are expected to back Wickremesinghe, observers said.
Moon later suggested that the trip was likely to happen this year, and told lawmakers Thursday that the peninsula was approaching “the historic starting line” for peace.
“It appears that Chairman Kim Jong Un’s trip to Russia and a visit to North Korea by ( Chinese) President Xi Jinping will happen soon,” Moon said, adding there was an “open” possibility of a meeting between Kim and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
“Chairman Kim Jong Un’s return visit to Seoul will happen soon,” he added.
No further detail was given. — AFP