Sri Lankan parliament plunged into chaos after lawmaker presents no confidence vote against new PM

COLOMBO - Sri Lanka's parliament was thrown into chaos on Wednesday after a no confidence motion against new Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse was presented to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, which prompted the parliament to be adjourned till Thursday.

Following the parliament's adjournment, legislators made contradictory claims of the results of the no confidence vote.

The no confidence motion on the new prime minister and the newly elected government was presented by Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) legislator Anura Kumara Dissanayaka and seconded by JVP legislator Vijitha Herath.

However, when the motion was taken up for a vote, legislators from Rajapakse's party broke out in protest, prompting the prime minister to leave the floor of the House.

Lakshman Kiriella, legislator from the United National Party led by sacked Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, told journalists following the adjournment that the no confidence vote had been passed with a majority and the new prime minister and government would cease to exist.

"We have the majority and the proper parliamentary procedures were followed. The new government is no more. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will once again be the prime minister of the nation," Kiriella said.

However, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna legislator Dinesh Gunawardena said the vote had not been passed as the parliament speaker had not followed normal parliamentary traditions by calling for an electronic vote.

Sri Lanka has been embroiled in a political turmoil since Oct 26, when President Maithripala Sirisena surprisingly sacked his prime minister Wickremesinghe and appointed former president Rajapakse to the post.

Sirisena who was supposed to address the parliament on Wednesday remained absent.