Sri Lanka President Suspends Parliament After Replacing the Prime Minister

Former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapakse, left, is sworn is as prime minister by President Maithripala Sirisena in Colombo, after incumbent premier Ranil Wickremesinghe was sacked. PHOTO AFP

ABC News Online: Sri Lanka political crisis deepens with parliament suspended after prime minister sacked

A constitutional crisis in Sri Lanka has deepened as President Maithripala Sirisena temporarily suspended Parliament a day after sacking the prime minister and replacing him with a former leader seen as being close to China.

Mr Sirisena fired prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and swore in former president Mahinda Rajapaksa as his replacement late on Friday in a move cheered by Mr Rajapaksa's supporters but described as a coup by opponents.

Under Sri Lanka's constitution, the president has executive powers while the prime minister heads parliament.

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More News On Sri Lanka's Constitutional Crisis

Sri Lanka’s crisis deepens as president suspends parliament -- AP
Sri Lanka faces crisis as two stake claim to be lawful prime minister -- The Guardian
President suspends parliament as Sri Lanka crisis worsens -- AFP
Sri Lanka: Mahinda Rajapaksa, former president, named as PM -- BBC
Sri Lankan president suspends Parliament after sacking PM -- UPI
Turmoil in Sri Lanka as ex-president Rajapaksa sworn in as PM -- Reuters
Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena sacks Prime Minister, appoints 'strongman' Mahinda Rajapaksa -- ABC News Online
Sri Lanka plunges into crisis as president sacks PM -- AFP
Sri Lanka President sacks PM, installs former strongman -- AFP
Sri Lankan president sacks PM, names Mahinda Rajapaksa new premier -- UPI
Sacked Sri Lanka PM given 'deadline' to vacate residence -- Al Jazeera
Sri Lanka: Ex-President Rajapaksa makes a comeback amid China-India tug-of-war -- DW
Sri Lanka's former strongman makes dramatic comeback -- AFP

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