India hopes democratic values will be respected

Monday, 29 October 2018 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Foreign governments continued to urge Sri Lanka to uphold the country’s Constitution, as the international community stopped short of congratulating newly sworn in Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, although he is expected to name his Cabinet today.

The Indian Government weighed in yesterday, 48 hours after Prime Minister Wickremesinghe was removed from office by President Maithripala Sirisena, saying it was “closely following developments”. “As a democracy and a close friendly neighbour, we hope that democratic values and the constitutional process will be respected,” India’s External Affairs Ministry said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Canada also weighed in on the current political turmoil, saying rule of law was the cornerstone of democracy and urging all parties to “uphold Sri Lanka’s Constitution and refrain from violence.”

The US, UK and EU made similar statements over the weekend.

China’s Ambassador to Sri Lanka called on both Rajapaksa and Wickremesinghe on Saturday but China stopped short of issuing public congratulations through an official Government channel.