12 Nov 2018 | 11:14 AM UTC
Sri Lanka: Parliament dissolved, snap elections called for January 5 /update 9
The political crisis in Sri Lanka deepens as the parliament is dissolved and snap parliamentary elections scheduled for January 5; protests expected to continue
Read all related news alert(s):
14 Dec 04:11 PM UTC —
Sri Lanka: Supreme Court rules President violated law December 13 /update 14
11 Dec 01:07 AM UTC —
Sri Lanka: Opposition postpones protest to December 17 /update 13
30 Nov 09:20 AM UTC —
Sri Lanka: Further mass protests Dec. 3-4 amid political crisis /update 12
21 Nov 01:38 PM UTC —
Sri Lanka: Further protests announced amid political crisis /update 11
14 Nov 10:38 AM UTC —
Sri Lanka: Protests continue amid political crisis /update 10
09 Nov 07:26 PM UTC —
Sri Lanka: President Sirisena dissolves parliament November 9 /update 8
09 Nov 10:47 AM UTC —
Sri Lanka: Protests continue ahead of November 14 parliament session /update 7
06 Nov 10:22 AM UTC —
Sri Lanka: Further nationwide protests November 8-9 /update 6
03 Nov 06:00 PM UTC —
Sri Lanka: Demonstrations expected in Colombo November 5 /update 5
02 Nov 10:39 PM UTC —
Sri Lanka: President summons parliament to reconvene amid political crisis /update 4
30 Oct 07:38 PM UTC —
Sri Lanka: US Embassy and American Center in Colombo close Oct. 30 /update 3
29 Oct 01:44 PM UTC —
Sri Lanka: Protests in Colombo October 30 amid heightened tensions /update 2
28 Oct 05:26 PM UTC —
Sri Lanka: One person killed amid rising political tensions /update 1
26 Oct 10:03 PM UTC —
Sri Lanka: New prime minister appointed October 26
Event
President Maithripala Sirisena dissolved the country's parliament on November 9 and called for snap parliamentary elections to take place on January 5, 2019. The president justified the dissolution by stating fears of widespread violence if the parliament were to reconvene as initially planned on November 14. Several opposition parties have petitioned the Supreme Court to declare the dissolution illegal; the case is expected to be heard on Monday, November 12.
Well attended protests continue to take place on a daily basis in the capital Colombo and throughout other urban centers. Heightened security measures and localized traffic disruptions are anticipated around all demonstrations and gatherings. Clashes between demonstrators and security forces cannot be ruled out.
Context
The political crisis was prompted by the dismissal of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and his cabinet after President Sirisena's Sri Lanka Freedom Party left the majority coalition on October 26. The move, viewed by the opposition as unconstitutional, led to the suspension, and later dissolution, of the parliament. President Sirisena has appointed former president Mahinda Rajapaksa as interim prime minister, a move that Wickremesinghe declared illegal.
Critics claim Sirisena dissolved the parliament due to fears that his party would not secure the majority needed to confirm Rajapaksa as prime minister.
Advice
Individuals in Sri Lanka, particularly Colombo, are advised to keep abreast of the domestic political climate, adhere to instructions issued by local authorities and their home governments, refrain from discussing political subjects in public, and to avoid all protests due to the risk of violence.
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