Sri Lankan govt accuses president of undermining stability

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, November 06, 2003

Sri Lankan govt accuses president of undermining stability

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Sri Lanka's political standoff between the president and the legislature continued Thursday with the government accusing President Chandrika Kumaratunga of undermining the country's stability by declaring a state of emergency.

"This was an action taken for political reasons in persuasion of power for the president and her party," Constitutional Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris charged.

Kumaratunga's sacking of three ministers of the government headed by her arch political rival Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Tuesday plunged the country into a political crisis.

Kumaratunga imposed a state of emergency in the country on Wednesday following her sacking of three ministers, suspension of the Parliament and taking control of the state media institutions the previous day.

The emergency regulations pave the way for the preservation of public order to ensure public security and provide for the detention of persons and taking possession of any property for state purposes.

Under the regulations, the president has the powers to ban all political gatherings and rallies.

Peiris said that the situation in the country did not warrant a declaration of emergency.

"2,000 tourists have canceled their bookings because her decision has created a feeling of uncertainty," Peiris said, adding that the economic fallout of the decision has been severe.

He said that the Colombo stock market has plunged and suffered a huge financial loss since the president's action.

Commenting on Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's visit to the United States where he had met President George W Bush in Washington, Peiris said the US authorities have delayed the signing of the US-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement which has been finalized for signature.

"The United States was reluctant to take this step until the Parliament reasserts full control," Peiris told reporters here.

Kumaratunga sacked Wickremesinghe's defense, interior and information ministers on Monday while the prime minister was visiting the United States.

Wickremesinghe is due to return on Friday when the ruling partyis expected to decide the future course of action to overcome the crisis. He maintains that he has the full control of the 225-member Parliament.

The suspended parliament is to be resummoned on Nov. 19 but analysts believe that Kumaratunga may opt for a snap poll by ordering the dissolution of the Parliament. The election if held would be the third in the country since October 2000.

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