China keeps close watch on Sri Lankan crisis but won’t interfere
- Foreign ministry hopes all sides can resolve their differences through talks
- Former president Rajapaksa seen as ‘close’ to China in previous role
China said on Monday it hoped all sides in Sri Lanka could resolve their differences through talks, as it weighs the possible impact on bilateral ties of the South Asian nation’s constitutional crisis.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said China was paying close attention to the situation in Sri Lanka after its president sacked the prime minister and replaced him with a former leader close to Beijing.
“China will stick to the principle of not interfering in the domestic affairs of other nations,” Lu said in a press briefing on Monday.
“We believe the Sri Lankan government, political parties and people have the wisdom and capability to handle [the situation]. China hopes all sides can resolve the differences through dialogue.”
The constitutional crisis erupted on Friday when Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena sacked Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and swore in ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa to replace him.
‘Anti-democratic coup’: Sri Lanka in turmoil as PM Wickremesinghe is sacked and rival Rajapaksa sworn in
Sirisena said he sacked Wickremesinghe because an unnamed cabinet minister was allegedly involved in a plot to assassinate the Sri Lankan president.