Sri Lanka: MPs bring no-confidence motion against newly appointed PM

The group of MPs led by deposed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremsinghe brought a no-confidence motion against newly appointed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. 

The motion signed by leader of House Laxman Kiriella, reportedly has the support of 119 MPs in 225 member parliament. 

It was submitted to office of Parliament Speaker and will be placed on the order book when Parliament convenes next week. However, uncertainty over convening of Parliament continues even as a spokesman from Rajapaksa side said it will not be convened before the 16th of this month.  

Earlier, Parliament Speaker told the MPs that the President had informed he is prepared to convene Parliament next



Wednesday.

Meanwhile, President Maithripala Sirisena today said he assured UN Secretary General António Guterres that the appointment of the new Prime Minister was in accordance with the Constitution. He said he had a very successful telephonic conversation with the UN chief last evening. 

Mr. Sirisena is under growing international pressure for early convening of Parliament to decide who has the majority in the House. 

Newly-appointed Foreign Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama today said that there was no justification for travel advisories issued by a few countries, since there have been no incidents of violence or disruption in the country following the recent events.