Sri Lanka's newly elected President has taken swift action by dissolving Parliament and announcing a snap election to consolidate power following his recent victory. The dissolution of Parliament was effective midnight Tuesday, with the parliamentary election scheduled for Nov. 14.
The President's party currently holds only three seats in the 225-member Parliament, and the upcoming election presents an opportunity for him to gain control of the chamber. This move comes after the President appointed a female lawmaker from his coalition as the country's first woman Prime Minister in 24 years.
The recent election saw the incumbent President defeated by the new President, as Sri Lankans expressed dissatisfaction with the previous administration's handling of economic challenges. The new President faces the task of addressing the country's economic crisis, exacerbated by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and previous austerity measures.
The appointment of a female Prime Minister and the allocation of key ministerial positions to women mark a significant step towards gender equality in Sri Lanka's political landscape. The country has historically been male-dominated in politics, with only a few women holding top government positions.
The new President's focus on addressing economic challenges and promoting gender diversity in government reflects a shift in Sri Lanka's political priorities. As the country prepares for a snap election, all eyes will be on the President's administration to deliver on its promises and steer the nation towards stability and prosperity.
