How Sri Lankan parliament descended into violence
Lawmakers brawl as anger grows over ousting of democratically elected leader last month
The parliament of Sri Lanka descended into violent chaos today, with MPs punching and kicking each other in an eruption of anger over the country’s ongoing constitutional crisis.
In late October, democratically elected prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was removed from office by President Maithripala Sirisena and replaced with Mahinda Rajapaksa, whom Bloomberg describes as a “pro-China strongman”.
Sirisena also dismissed Wickremesinghe’s cabinet and suspended parliament, the BBC adds.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Rajapaksa, who served as president from 2005 to 2015, has long been a controversial figure in the country. In 2009 he brought an end to Sri Lanka’s 26-year civil war through a military operation that “killed up to 40,000 ethnic Tamil civilians”, Al Jazeera reports. His government was also accused of murdering political opponents and of widespread corruption.
Meanwhile, Wickremesinghe, who has been PM since 2015, has refused to step down to make way for Rajapaksa, leading to divisions in parliament.
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court suspended Sirisena’s order to dissolve parliament and hold snap elections. The following day, a no-confidence motion against Rajapaksa passed with the backing of 122 MPs in the 225-member legislature.
As parliament reconvened today for the first time since the suspension, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya told the chamber that the country had “no government” and “no prime minister” - a declaration that kick-started the brawl.
According to ABC News, more than three dozen politicians fought and some who fell on the floor were “kicked by rivals”. One Rajapaksa loyalist was “cut as he tried to take the speaker’s microphone, bloodying his shirt”, adds The Guardian.
Harsha de Silva, an MP from Wickremesinghe’s United National party, said the violence marked “the most shameful day in parliament”.
The assembly has now been adjourned until Friday afternoon.
As Al Jazeera’s Bernard Smith concludes: “It is difficult to say who is in charge in Sri Lanka. Now we are left with a power vacuum.”
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Climate studies are increasingly becoming politicized'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - May 6, 2024
Cartoons Monday's cartoons - university encampments, Florida's abortion ban, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Boeing and NASA ready first crewed Starliner flight
Speed Read Two NASA astronauts are heading to the International Space Station
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Panama presidency won by stand-in for fugitive
Speed Read José Raúl Mulino was the stand-in candidate for disqualified former president Ricardo Martinelli
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Xi comes to Europe: what's on the agenda?
The Explainer China's president visiting for first time since 2019, with spotlight on support for Russia over Ukraine and trade tensions with EU
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Russia gains as Ukraine awaits US aid
Speed Read Ukrainian forces have retreated from several villages as the situation at the front line worsens
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Haiti interim council, prime minister sworn in
Speed Read Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigns amid surging gang violence
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Myanmar: the Spring Revolution and the downfall of the generals
Talking Point An armed protest movement has swept across the country since the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi was overthrown in 2021
By The Week Staff Published
-
Israel hits Iran with retaliatory airstrike
Speed Read The attack comes after Iran's drone and missile barrage last weekend
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is there a peaceful way forward for Israel and Iran?
Today's Big Question Tehran has initially sought to downplay the latest Israeli missile strike on its territory
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published