Australia has expressed alarm about the deepening political crisis in Sri Lanka, with Foreign Minister Marise Payne warning “democratic principles must be upheld in the country”.
President Maithripala Sirisena sent shockwaves through Sri Lanka on Friday when he sacked Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, replacing him with former strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Senator Payne said Australia was concerned about the developments in Sri Lanka, and urged all parties to refrain from violence.
She did not directly criticise Mr Sirisena, but made it clear Australia was deeply uneasy about the way Mr Wickremesinghe was removed.
“It is important that issues be addressed expeditiously through Parliament and that democratic principles and freedoms are upheld,” Senator Payne said.
Sri Lanka consul-general in Sydney Lal Wickrematunge told the ABC the official word from Colombo the President has acted according to the constitution.
Despite warnings of possible violence, Mr Wickrematunge said he remained confident the situation would be resolved democratically.
“I think always Sri Lanka emerges through this type of crisis in a democratic manner,” Mr Wickrematunge said.
“We have had changes of governments quite peacefully in the past.”
Source: ABC News
-Agencies
