Sri Lanka on brink of ‘chaos and anarchy’

SRI LANKA’S president sacked three of the country’s most powerful cabinet ministers yesterday, suspended parliament and ordered troops out in the streets of Colombo, throwing the island into a constitutional crisis.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is on an official visit in Washington, said the moves by his arch-rival, President Chandrika Kumaratunga, could plunge the country into "chaos and anarchy".

The events reflect Ms Kumaratunga's unease over government efforts to end the 20-year war with Tamil rebels and could imperil the peace process itself.

It also means open warfare between the president and prime minister, who are from opposing parties and have been feuding for years, mostly over how to end the war with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

Announcing the dismissal of the ministers, who were appointed by Mr Wickremesinghe, the president's office said: "This step has been taken after careful consideration, in order to prevent further deterioration of the security situation in the country."

Mr Wickremesinghe, scheduled to meet US President George W Bush later, said he would not be budged from pursuing peace with the Tigers.

"Your government will not be deviated from the mandate given it by the people to pursue the path of peace, security and economic prosperity due to the irresponsible and precipitous actions of the president aimed at plunging the country into chaos and anarchy," said a statement issued by his office in Colombo.

"I pledge to you the people, your government will not allow this desperate and irresponsible attempt to undermine the peace process and economic prosperity of the people to succeed."

But the pro-Tiger TamilNet website said the president's actions had "dimmed" prospects for peace, adding that the status of the ceasefire had become uncertain.

The sackings of the defence, interior and media ministers came three days after the Tigers unveiled power-sharing proposals, which the government said was a basis for fresh peace talks early next year.

The president says the government is giving away too much in its efforts to win peace.

Ms Kumaratunga also suspended parliament for two weeks. That will postpone the announcement of next year's budget, which was to have been presented in the legislature next week.

"Parliament has been prorogued as of midnight yesterday to be resummoned on November 19," Harim Peiris, spokesman for Ms Kumaratunga, told reporters.

An election and possibly an impeachment could be in the offing, analysts said. "She (Kumaratunga) has control over the media, police and army perfect for an election," said one Western diplomat.

Ms Kumaratunga was elected separately from the prime minister and parliament, and has vast powers.

She has sparred with Defence Minister Tilak Marapana, accusing him of allowing the Tigers to use the ceasefire in place for the past 20 months to strengthen militarily.

The president also fired Interior Minister John Amaratunga, who controls the police, and Mass Communications Minister Imthiaz Bakeer Markar, who controls the state-run media.