COLOMBO, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Sunday called on all legislators to work together and join his new government amidst a severe political crisis ongoing in the island country.
In an address to the nation, days after he sacked his Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and appointed former President Mahinda Rajapakse to the post, Sirisena said he invited all 225 members of parliament to join the new government with the intention to take the country out of the present political crisis and economic problems.
"Now, the political crisis has been somewhat declined. I appeal to everybody to extend fullest cooperation to the new government formed by me with Mr Mahinda Rajapaksa as prime minister to strengthen democratic governance, freedom of the people, human rights and fundamental rights and media freedom and take our Motherland towards prosperity and make a better and decent society," Sirisena said.
He further said his decision to sack Wickremesinghe and appoint Rajapakse was not illegal and appointments were made "totally in accordance with the Constitution and the advice of legal experts."
"No constitutional violation was done when appointments were made and removal was enacted. With all respect, I completely reject the charge that what was done was a violation of the Constitution," the president said in the hour-long speech which was telecasted on local television channels.
Sirisena further said that within the last three and a half years there was a policy and cultural conflict between Wickremesinghe and him which aggravated the present political and economic crisis.
He further blamed Wickremesinghe for destroying the principles of good governance.
Sirisena selected Rajapakse as the nation's new premier last Friday, in a move Wickremesinghe said was illegal as he still enjoyed a majority in parliament.
Wickremesinghe has since then called for parliament to convene to prove his majority.
A new caretaker government is expected to be sworn in on Monday.