Sri Lanka's president suspends Parliament

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, November 05, 2003

Sri Lanka's president suspends Parliament

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Sri Lanka's president stunned this island nation Tuesday when she suspended Parliament, sacked three Cabinet ministers and deployed troops around the capital -- moves that endanger the fragile peace process with Tamil Tiger rebels.

President Chandrika Kumaratunga -- who commands the armed forces and has considerable executive authority -- made the surprise power grab against her bitter political rival, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, while he was in Washington to meet with President Bush

Wickremesinghe, whose party defeated Kumaratunga's in 2001 parliamentary elections, accused her of endangering the government's bid to end two decades of civil war on this tropical island off the southern tip of India.

"The irresponsible and precipitous action of the president is aimed at plunging the country into chaos and anarchy," Wickremesinghe said from Washington.

Kumaratunga criticized Wickremesinghe's handling of peace efforts with the Tamil Tigers, arguing that his government has made too many concessions without ensuring that the rebels give up their fight for a separate homeland.

"I was compelled to take this action to safeguard the security of our motherland," Kumaratunga said over state-run television.

"My actions were not directed at individuals or a party. I have merely exercised my authority under the constitution to safeguard the interest of the country," Kumaratunga said.

Source: Agencies

Questions?Comments? Click here

Sri Lankan Tamil rebels hand over peace proposals to Norwegian facilitators

US urges Sri Lankan gov't, Tamil rebels to resume peace talks

Sri Lankan president sacks three ministers

Is English invading Chinese culture? ( 20 Messages)

Chinese fleet visit heart of US forces in the Pacific ( 15 Messages)

Global survey: Chinese women sexiest ( 56 Messages)

Economist: China has no need to worry about possible trade deficits ( 3 Messages)

Japanese students, teacher make apology in Xi'an ( 17 Messages)

China expects to see trade deficit in near future: official ( 9 Messages)