Sri Lanka's president has said he rejects the no-confidence motion brought against the former president and his appointment for prime minister, Mahinda Rajapaksa.
In a letter made public today President Sirisena said the motion had passed "without adhering proper parliamentary procedures."
"The President shall appoint as Prime Minister the Member of Parliament, who, in the President’s opinion, is most likely to command the confidence of Parliament. The opinion of the President cannot be questioned or tested. He is expected to evaluate the prevailing situation and decide on the person best suited for the country," Sirisena wrote.
"There was no requirement as part of parliamentary proceedings or on the part of the prime minister to show a majority in parliament."
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Sri Lanka’s parliamentary speaker Karu Jayasuria declared this morning that Mahinda Rajapaksa did not have a majority in parliament as prime minister, after the no-confidence motion was passed against Mahinda Rajapaksa amid chaotic scenes in parliament.
Parliament reconvened this morning after the Supreme Court temporarily suspended an executive order by the president, Maithripala Sirisena to dissolve parliament.
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