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The 2018 Sri Lankan constitutional crisis was initiated by President Sirisena's appointment of Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prime Minister on October 26, 2018, which preceded the dismissal of the incumbent Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe.
Answer: True
Explanation: The crisis was precipitated by President Sirisena's appointment of Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prime Minister on October 26, 2018, an action that preceded the formal dismissal of the incumbent Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe.
President Sirisena cited an alleged assassination plot against Gotabaya Rajapaksa as a key reason for appointing Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Answer: True
Explanation: President Sirisena publicly cited an alleged assassination plot against Gotabaya Rajapaksa as a primary justification for his decision to appoint Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prime Minister.
Following Rajapaksa's swearing-in, his supporters stormed state-owned television networks.
Answer: True
Explanation: Immediately following Rajapaksa's swearing-in, his supporters stormed two state-owned television networks, Rupavahini and ITN, forcing them off the air, rather than taking control of the Supreme Court building.
President Sirisena initially claimed India's RAW was involved in an assassination plot against him.
Answer: True
Explanation: President Sirisena reportedly informed his cabinet about an alleged assassination plot involving India's Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), though he later denied these specific allegations to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
What specific action by President Maithripala Sirisena initiated the 2018 Sri Lankan constitutional crisis?
Answer: He appointed Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prime Minister on October 26, 2018.
Explanation: The constitutional crisis commenced on October 26, 2018, when President Sirisena appointed Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prime Minister, an action that preceded the dismissal of the incumbent, Ranil Wickremesinghe.
What was the immediate action President Sirisena took after appointing Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prime Minister?
Answer: He prorogued Parliament until November 16, 2018.
Explanation: Following the controversial appointment of Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prime Minister, President Sirisena prorogued Parliament until November 16, 2018, effectively delaying its reconvening and preventing an immediate challenge to the new government.
What action did supporters of Mahinda Rajapaksa take against state-owned media shortly after his appointment?
Answer: They stormed two state-owned television networks, forcing them off the air.
Explanation: In the immediate aftermath of Rajapaksa's appointment, his supporters forcibly entered two state-owned television stations, Rupavahini and ITN, disrupting their broadcasts.
What was the primary justification cited by President Sirisena for dissolving Parliament and calling snap elections?
Answer: An alleged assassination plot and inability of the government to secure a majority.
Explanation: President Sirisena cited two main justifications for dissolving Parliament and calling snap elections: an alleged assassination plot against him and the perceived inability of the appointed government to command a stable parliamentary majority.
President Sirisena dissolved Parliament on November 9, 2018, scheduling new elections.
Answer: True
Explanation: President Sirisena dissolved Parliament on November 9, 2018, and scheduled new elections for January 5, 2019, an action later deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka ruled President Sirisena's proclamation dissolving Parliament to be unconstitutional.
Answer: True
Explanation: Contrary to upholding the dissolution, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled on December 13, 2018, that President Sirisena's proclamation dissolving Parliament was unconstitutional.
The Supreme Court ruled that President Sirisena's dissolution of Parliament was unconstitutional.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Supreme Court unanimously ruled on December 13, 2018, that President Sirisena's dissolution of Parliament was unconstitutional, invalidating his proclamation.
A motion of no confidence against Mahinda Rajapaksa was passed by Parliament on November 14, 2018.
Answer: True
Explanation: On November 14, 2018, Parliament convened and passed a motion of no confidence against Mahinda Rajapaksa, with 122 MPs supporting it, indicating a lack of parliamentary majority for his government.
The Court of Appeal's interim order on December 3, 2018, prevented Mahinda Rajapaksa from functioning as Prime Minister.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Court of Appeal issued an interim order on December 3, 2018, restraining Mahinda Rajapaksa and his cabinet ministers from functioning in their official capacities, thereby challenging the legitimacy of his government.
The Supreme Court's rulings helped uphold constitutional governance during the crisis.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Supreme Court's decisive rulings played a crucial role in affirming constitutional governance by challenging the President's actions and upholding the rule of law.
President Sirisena accepted the outcome of the second no-confidence motion against Rajapaksa immediately.
Answer: False
Explanation: President Sirisena did not immediately accept the outcome of the second no-confidence motion against Rajapaksa; instead, he resisted acknowledging it and requested a third motion.
The Supreme Court ruled that the President could not dissolve Parliament before its constitutionally mandated term.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Supreme Court's ruling affirmed that the President's power to dissolve Parliament was restricted until the completion of its constitutionally mandated term, invalidating Sirisena's proclamation.
How did the Supreme Court initially intervene regarding President Sirisena's dissolution of Parliament?
Answer: It issued an interim order staying the proclamation dissolving Parliament.
Explanation: The Supreme Court intervened by issuing an interim order that temporarily stayed President Sirisena's proclamation dissolving Parliament, pending a full judicial review of its constitutionality.
Which entity filed a quo warranto writ petition challenging Mahinda Rajapaksa's appointment as Prime Minister?
Answer: The United National Party (UNP)
Explanation: The United National Party (UNP), along with other political parties, initiated legal proceedings by filing a quo warranto writ petition with the Court of Appeal to challenge the legality of Mahinda Rajapaksa's appointment as Prime Minister.
What was the significance of the UNP's claim of holding 122 MP signatures after the first no-confidence vote?
Answer: It demonstrated a clear parliamentary majority supporting Wickremesinghe.
Explanation: The claim by the UNP of securing 122 signatures from Members of Parliament following the first no-confidence vote was significant as it provided substantial evidence of a clear majority in the 225-member legislature supporting Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The 19th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution, passed in 2015, limited the President's power to dismiss the Prime Minister.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 19th Amendment significantly altered the constitutional framework by stipulating that a Prime Minister remains in office as long as their cabinet functions, thereby limiting the President's unilateral power to dismiss them.
Which legal amendment was central to the arguments against President Sirisena's dismissal of Prime Minister Wickremesinghe?
Answer: The 19th Amendment, regarding the tenure of the Prime Minister.
Explanation: The 19th Amendment, enacted in 2015, significantly altered the constitutional balance of power by establishing provisions that protected the Prime Minister's tenure, making their dismissal by the President more complex and subject to parliamentary confidence.
How did the 19th Amendment affect the Prime Minister's position?
Answer: It ensured the PM remained in office as long as the cabinet functioned, unless resigned or removed from Parliament.
Explanation: The 19th Amendment stipulated that the Prime Minister would remain in office as long as their cabinet functioned, provided they did not resign or cease to be a Member of Parliament, thereby strengthening their position against arbitrary dismissal.
Ranil Wickremesinghe and his party initially refused to accept his dismissal as Prime Minister.
Answer: True
Explanation: Following his dismissal, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and his party, the United National Party (UNP), asserted their parliamentary majority and refused to acknowledge the legitimacy of their removal.
Mahinda Rajapaksa's presidency (2005-2015) was characterized by democratic reforms and increased transparency.
Answer: False
Explanation: Mahinda Rajapaksa's presidency (2005-2015) was marked by an authoritarian approach, diminished human rights, nepotism, and the weakening of institutions, rather than democratic reforms and increased transparency.
Speaker Karu Jayasuriya refused to recognize changes made after October 26 until verified by Parliament.
Answer: True
Explanation: Speaker Karu Jayasuriya did not support President Sirisena's decision to dissolve Parliament; instead, he requested the President to reconvene Parliament and stated he would not recognize changes until verified by parliamentary proceedings.
CID Inspector Nishantha Silva was transferred due to alleged framing, including connections with the LTTE.
Answer: True
Explanation: The transfer of CID Inspector Nishantha Silva, who was investigating high-profile cases, was reportedly based on alleged framing, including accusations of connections with the LTTE, orchestrated by senior officials.
Which of the following characterized Mahinda Rajapaksa's presidency from 2005 to 2015?
Answer: Diminished human rights, nepotism, and weakening of institutions.
Explanation: Mahinda Rajapaksa's presidency (2005-2015) is widely documented as being characterized by authoritarian tendencies, diminished respect for human rights, allegations of nepotism, and the erosion of independent governmental institutions.
What role did Speaker Karu Jayasuriya play during the crisis?
Answer: He refused to recognize changes until verified by Parliament and requested reconvening.
Explanation: Speaker Karu Jayasuriya adopted a stance of constitutional adherence, refusing to recognize parliamentary changes until verified and urging the President to reconvene Parliament, thereby acting as a check on executive actions.
What was the alleged reason for the transfer of CID Inspector Nishantha Silva?
Answer: Alleged framing, including connections with the LTTE.
Explanation: The transfer of CID Inspector Nishantha Silva, who was investigating high-profile cases, was reportedly motivated by alleged framing, including accusations of connections with the LTTE, purportedly orchestrated by senior officials.
The Sri Lankan government under Sirisena and Wickremesinghe struggled with debt repayment inherited from the previous administration.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Sirisena-Wickremesinghe administration faced significant economic challenges, including managing substantial debt burdens inherited from the Rajapaksa presidency.
India urged Sri Lanka to respect democratic values and constitutional processes during the crisis.
Answer: True
Explanation: India closely monitored the situation and issued statements encouraging Sri Lanka to uphold democratic principles and constitutional procedures during the period of political instability.
Allegations of bribery were made against the Sirisena-Rajapaksa faction to secure parliamentary support.
Answer: True
Explanation: There were credible allegations that the Sirisena-Rajapaksa faction engaged in offering substantial bribes and other incentives to secure defections from opposing parties, potentially financed by external sources.
The 2018 constitutional crisis led to a depreciation of the Sri Lankan rupee.
Answer: True
Explanation: The political instability caused by the constitutional crisis resulted in the depreciation of the Sri Lankan rupee, not an appreciation, reaching a record low at one point.
The UN Secretary-General urged respect for democratic values and the constitution during the crisis.
Answer: True
Explanation: The UN Secretary-General did not support President Sirisena's actions but rather urged adherence to democratic principles and the constitution.
The Sri Lankan rupee depreciated by 3.8% over the seven-week duration of the crisis.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Sri Lankan rupee experienced a depreciation of 3.8% over the seven-week period of the constitutional crisis, reflecting the economic instability caused by the political turmoil.
Human Rights Watch expressed concern about potential risks to human rights due to Mahinda Rajapaksa's potential return to power.
Answer: True
Explanation: Human Rights Watch did not praise Rajapaksa's return but rather voiced concerns regarding potential risks to human rights, citing a lack of accountability for past alleged crimes.
The UNP alleged that Rajapaksa loyalists offered foreign residency for MPs' families to encourage defections.
Answer: True
Explanation: The United National Party (UNP) alleged that supporters of Mahinda Rajapaksa attempted to persuade Members of Parliament (MPs) to defect by offering substantial incentives, including foreign residency for their families.
The political crisis led to a depletion of Sri Lanka's foreign reserves.
Answer: True
Explanation: The constitutional crisis resulted in a significant depletion, not an increase, of Sri Lanka's foreign reserves, decreasing by approximately $1 billion.
What was a significant economic challenge faced by the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe government prior to the crisis?
Answer: Struggles with debt repayment from the Rajapaksa presidency.
Explanation: The government inherited a substantial debt burden from the previous Rajapaksa administration, posing significant challenges for debt repayment and overall economic stability.
What was a major consequence of the constitutional crisis on Sri Lanka's economy?
Answer: Depletion of foreign reserves and currency depreciation.
Explanation: The political instability precipitated a significant economic downturn, characterized by the depletion of foreign reserves and the depreciation of the Sri Lankan rupee, alongside a credit rating downgrade.
How did the United States and Japan respond to the political instability in Sri Lanka regarding development aid?
Answer: They froze over a billion US dollars in development aid.
Explanation: In response to the political instability and concerns over democratic processes, both the United States and Japan collectively froze over one billion US dollars in development aid intended for Sri Lanka.
What impact did the crisis have on the Sri Lankan rupee's value over the seven weeks?
Answer: It depreciated by 3.8%.
Explanation: The Sri Lankan rupee experienced a depreciation of 3.8% over the seven-week duration of the constitutional crisis, reflecting the negative economic consequences of the political instability.
What did Human Rights Watch express concern about regarding Mahinda Rajapaksa's potential return to power?
Answer: Risks to human rights due to lack of accountability for past alleged crimes.
Explanation: Human Rights Watch voiced concerns that Mahinda Rajapaksa's return to a position of power without prior accountability for alleged past human rights violations could pose risks to human rights in Sri Lanka.
The 2018 Sri Lankan constitutional crisis officially ended when Ranil Wickremesinghe was reinstated as Prime Minister.
Answer: True
Explanation: The constitutional crisis concluded on December 16, 2018, with the reinstatement of Ranil Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister, following Mahinda Rajapaksa's relinquishment of his claim.
The crisis resulted in a significant split within the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).
Answer: True
Explanation: Rather than consolidation, the crisis led to a substantial split within the SLFP, weakening President Sirisena's political base as many members defected to the SLPP.
Analysts considered President Sirisena a primary political casualty of the crisis.
Answer: True
Explanation: Contrary to being a beneficiary, analysts viewed President Sirisena and his party as primary political casualties due to the instability and party split caused by the crisis.
How long did the 2018 Sri Lankan constitutional crisis officially last?
Answer: Seven weeks and two days.
Explanation: The constitutional crisis spanned a period of seven weeks and two days, commencing on October 26, 2018, and concluding on December 16, 2018.
Which individual was reinstated as Prime Minister on December 16, 2018, resolving the crisis?
Answer: Ranil Wickremesinghe
Explanation: The constitutional crisis was resolved on December 16, 2018, with the reinstatement of Ranil Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister, following the withdrawal of Mahinda Rajapaksa's claim to the office.
Which political party served as the platform for Mahinda Rajapaksa and his supporters after defecting from the SLFP?
Answer: Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP)
Explanation: Following their departure from the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), Mahinda Rajapaksa and his political allies established and operated under the banner of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP).
Which of the following was NOT a consequence of the 2018 Sri Lankan constitutional crisis?
Answer: A significant increase in foreign reserves.
Explanation: The constitutional crisis led to a depletion, not an increase, of Sri Lanka's foreign reserves. Other consequences included a split in the SLFP, the reinstatement of Wickremesinghe, and significant court rulings challenging presidential actions.
What was the outcome for President Sirisena and his party, the SLFP, following the crisis?
Answer: They were considered primary political casualties, with a significant party split.
Explanation: The constitutional crisis significantly weakened President Sirisena and the SLFP, leading to a major party split and positioning them as primary political casualties of the prolonged instability.