COLOMBO, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Tuesday called for unity from all political parties so as to develop the island country after months of political instability.
Delivering a speech on the government's policy at the opening of the 8th session of Parliament, Sirisena also called for end to the power struggle within his unity government, saying the coalition so far had made progress in several key areas since being elected to office in 2015.
"The ruling coalition has made progress in several key areas such as restoring rule of law, making the judiciary independent, reconciliation and winning back the good will of the international community. But much more still needs to be done," Sirisena said.
He said the government had made progress despite a massive debt burden, volatile international conditions and a drought triggered by climate change which hurt the farming community in particular.
He further said the government would create better conditions for domestic and international investors and would strengthen further its relationship with the international community.
Sirisena last month suspended Parliament until May 8 after six ministers resigned from the unity government which comprises Sirisena's Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's United National Party (UNP).
