12/11/2018 (Agence Europe) – The spokesperson for the European External Action Service denounced on Saturday 10 November the decision of Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, the day before, to dissolve Parliament, as he did not have a sufficient majority to impose his candidate for Prime Minister after dismissing the former head of government (see EUROPE 12128). The President's decision “risks undermining public confidence in the country's democratic institutions and processes, and further deepens the political and economic crisis in the country”, warned the EEAS spokesperson before recalling that a “fully functioning parliament is an essential pillar of democracy”. She said the EU looked forward to a swift and peaceful resolution of the current crisis, in accordance with the Sri Lankan Constitution. Early elections will be held on 5 January, almost two years earlier than expected. (CG)