Protest in Colombo over political situation

Описание: (19 Nov 2018) Crowds gathered in the streets of Colombo on Monday in protest at Sri Lanka's ongoing political crisis, after lawmakers submitted a motion to suspend the expenses of disputed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Sri Lanka has been in crisis since October 26, when President Maithripala Sirisena abruptly fired Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and appointed Rajapaksa, a former president.
Rajapaksa has since lost two no-confidence motions in Parliament, but both Rajapaksa and Sirisena have refused to accept their results, saying proper procedures were not followed.
Rajapaksa has said the vote should not have been done by voice.
He also insisted the speaker had no authority to remove him and said he is continuing in his role as prime minister.
Lawmakers opposed to Rajapaksa have said his government is illegal.
Parliament turned violent when the no-confidence motions were taken up last week, with rival lawmakers exchanging blows.
On Friday, lawmakers supporting Rajapaksa threw books, chairs and chilli powder mixed with water to try to block the proceedings.
"The law is not meant for hooligans. If we are going to let hooligans interpret the constitution and to practice this type of constitutional practices, the I think we might as well close democracy, said human rights lawyer, J. C. Waliamuna, who was at Monday's protest.

Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter:   / ap_archive  
Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​
Instagram:   / apnews  


You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...