Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Friday ruled out reconvening the dissolved Parliament using his discretionary powers. In a letter signed by his secretary released to the media on Friday.
Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Friday ruled out reconvening the dissolved Parliament using his discretionary powers.
In a letter signed by his secretary — released to the media on Friday — the President said the Opposition parties “do not believe in holding elections and instead engage in a narrow political agenda at a crucial time when the government is striving to safeguard public health, social security and welfare”.
The letter comes days after leaders of major political parties in Opposition wrote to President Rajapaksa, urging him to reconvene Parliament that he dissolved on March 2, using his discretionary powers, to enhance the country’s coronavirus (COVID-19) response by passing “necessary laws”. Further, they pledged “responsible cooperation”, assuring the President that they would not draw salaries or thwart any “legitimate actions” of the government.
