Former minister’s guard opens fire on mob, 1 killed
Hope democratic values would be respected: India
Apolitical crisis in Sri Lanka took a deadly turn on Sunday, with one person killed when a sacked cabinet minister tried to re-enter his office, days after the president removed the prime minister and installed a powerful ally of China in his place.
Sri Lanka has been plunged into crisis since Friday, when President Maithripala Sirisena abruptly sacked prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and swore in ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa as the new prime minister to replace him.
Sirisena said the move was motivated by a plot to kill him, and by economic collapse. Wickremesinghe says it was illegal and he is still prime minister.
In a statement released late on Sunday, Rajapaksa, who ruled as president from 20052015, said he would "eschew the politics of hate and set up an interim government that will protect the human rights of all citizens, that will protect the independence of the judiciary and establish law and order." He called on lawmakers to support his new government.
On Saturday, Sirisena suspended parliament until Nov. 16, a move the ousted prime minister's supporters say was intended to prevent lawmakers from demonstrating their continued support for Wickremesinghe.
The standoff has important geopolitical implications in a country long influenced by its
“He (Ranil Wickremesinghe) appeared to treat Sri Lanka’s future as a joy ride... He completely destroyed the concept of good governance while corruption and waste became rampant. He was making arrogant arbitrary decisions making a mockery of collective responsibility” MAITHRIPALA SIRISENA, Sri Lankan President
neighbour India, but which became massively indebted to China to finance huge infrastructure projects during Rajapaksa's decade as president.
Most of Sri Lanka's foreign allies including India, the European Union and the United States, have urged Sirisena to abide by the constitution. But China, long seen as a supporter of Rajapaksa, congratulated him on becoming prime minister, drawing accusations from Wickremesinghe's supporters that Beijing was behind the attempt to change the government. Chinese officials deny interfering in Sri Lanka's affairs.
Since Rajapaksa was sworn in, trade unions allied to him have blocked government buildings to prevent members of the former cabinet from reaching their offices.
Sunday's violence took place at the headquarters of state oil company Ceylon Petroleum Corp, where Arjuna Ranatunga, petroleum minister in the ousted cabinet, tried to re-enter his office.
Police said one of Ranatunga's security guards opened fire. One person was killed and two wounded. The guard had been arrested and an investigation launched
Hope democratic values would be respected: India India on Sunday said it was closely following the political developments in Sri Lanka and hoped that democratic values and constitutional process would be respected in the island nation.
“As a democracy and a close friendly neighbour, we hope that democratic values and constitutional process will be respected,” External Affairs Ministry Spokeperson Raveesh Kumar said.
He said India will continue to extend its developmental assistance to the friendly people of Sri Lanka. India has been involved in a number of projects in the island nation.
“International conspiracy”
So far, a majority of lawmakers has not endorsed the change in government. In a letter sent on Sunday, parliament speaker Karu Jayasuriya urged the president to protect Wickremesinghe's rights and privileges "until any other person emerges from within the Parliament as having secure confidence of the Parliament".
In an address to the nation, Sirisena said his action to change the government was "totally in accordance with the constitution and on the advice of legal experts".
The Rajapaksa faction has sought to win over lawmakers to back it in parliament.