#SRILANKA: Parliament Votes To Curb President's Power

[world politics news]

Sri Lanka’s parliament voted in favor of a bill to clip the powers of the president in a bid to calm public anger that climaxed with the ousting of former leader Gotabaya Rajapaksa who led the South Asian island nation to its worst economic crisis since independence.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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#SRILANKA: Gov't Wins Key Vote In Face Of Confidence Vote Threat

[world politics news]

Sri Lanka's parliament Thursday elected a ruling party-backed candidate as deputy speaker, signaling that it may have enough legislative support to sail through impending no-confidence motions against President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his government.

Ranjith Siyambalapitiya was re-elected with 148 votes in the 225-member house.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#SRILANKA: Parliament Declares State Of Emergency

[world politics news]

 

Sri Lanka’s Parliament on Monday approved a state of emergency declared by the president, who said it is needed to control food prices and prevent hoarding amid shortages of some staples.

Opposition lawmakers said the emergency declaration isn’t needed because other laws can be used to maintain essential supplies, and the tough emergency rules can be misused to stifle critics.

In recent weeks there have been shortages of essential items such as sugar, milk power and cooking gas. The government says the shortages were artificially created by hoarders. 

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#SRILANKA: President Dissolves Parliament, Calls For April Election (Six Months Early)

[world politics news]

Sri Lanka's president dissolved parliament and called for new parliamentary elections for April, six months early.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who was elected in November, made use of his constitutional powers to dissolve parliament and called for elections on April 25.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#SRILANKA: President Fires Prime Minister, Replaces Him With Former President With Pro-China Leanings

[world politics news]

President Maithripala Sirisena on Friday sacked his Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, and appointed former President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the new premier. Rajapaksa had previously served two terms as president, maxing out his time in office under the nation's 19th Amendment. In a September interview with the Indian newspaper, "The Hindu," Rajapaksa reportedly said he would attempt to lead the Sri Lanka PoduJana Party in the 2019 elections, and if he won, he'd fight the amendment limiting him to two terms in the courts.

Rajapaksa had served as prime minister from 2004 until his victory in the 2005 presidential election, after which he served two five-year terms. He was defeated for a third term in 2015. He sought the position of prime minister in the 2015 parliamentary election, but was defeated, securing instead a seat in parliament. A June, 2018 The New York Times story alleged that Rajapaksa, during the 2015 presidential campaign, received large payments from the Chinese port construction fund that flowed directly into campaign aides and activities. He is viewed as a pro-Chinese politician.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.