US, EU welcome end of political crisis in Lanka, reinstatement of Wickremesinghe as PM

The US, the EU, Australia and Norway have welcomed the peaceful resolution of the political crisis in Sri Lanka after President Maithripala Sirisena reinstated Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Prime Minister.

Sirisena, whose controversial actions plunged the island nation into an unprecedented political turmoil for nearly two months, reinstated Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister on Sunday, after sacking him on October 26 and appointing ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa in his place and also dissolving Parliament, some 20 months early.

Reacting to the latest political developments, the American Ambassador to Sri Lanka Alaina Teplitz said the US welcomes the weekend's political developments, which upheld the country's democratic and constitutional norms.

"Sri Lanka is a valued partner in the Indo Pacific and we look forward to continuing to develop our relationship with the government and people of this country," she said.

Australia welcomed the resolution of the political uncertainty in Sri Lanka by constitutional means, and the demonstrated resilience of Sri Lanka's democratic institutions.

The High Commission of Australia, in a statement said as a longstanding friend and Indian Ocean neighbour, Australia look forward to working with the Sri Lankan Government to build a stronger bilateral relationship.

"As a longstanding friend and Indian Ocean neighbour, Australia welcomes resolution of the political uncertainty in Sri Lanka by constitutional means, and the demonstrated resilience of Sri Lanka's democratic institutions.

"We look forward to working with the Sri Lankan Government to take forward its commitments to deliver peace, reconciliation and prosperity, and to build a stronger bilateral relationship," the statement said.

Following the reinstatement of ousted Prime Minister Wickremesinghe, the European Union along with Norway commended the resilience of Sri Lanka's democratic institutions and welcomed the peaceful resolution of the political crisis.

Issuing a statement in agreement with the EU Ambassadors and the Norwegian Ambassador resident in Colombo, the Delegation of the European Union offered to continue to support Sri Lanka's efforts to achieve reconciliation and prosperity.

"As steady friends of Sri Lanka, we welcome the peaceful and democratic resolution of the political crisis in accordance with the constitution.

"We commend the resilience of Sri Lanka's democratic institutions and will continue to support its efforts towards national reconciliation and prosperity for all," the statement said.

India too welcomed the resolution of the political crisis in Sri Lanka and exuded confidence that relations between the two countries will continue to move on in an upward trajectory.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the resolution of the political issues was a reflection of the maturity demonstrated by all political forces.

"As a close neighbour and true friend, India welcomes the resolution of the political situation in Sri Lanka. This is a reflection of the maturity demonstrated by all political forces, and also of the resilience of Sri Lankan democracy and its institutions," MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.

He said India remains committed to taking forward its people oriented development projects in Sri Lanka.

"We are confident that India-Sri Lanka relations will continue to move on an upward trajectory," he said.