Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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38. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the political situation in Sri Lanka; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46314/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As it stands, the political situation in Sri Lanka remains uncertain. President Maithripala Sirisena's decision to replace Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe with a new appointee, Mahinda Rajapaksa, and to suspend the parliament has led to protests across the country. I have been closely monitoring these recent political developments in Sri Lanka, which have received extensive international media coverage. I fully support the EU position which seeks a solution respectful of the country’s constitution and stresses the importance of avoiding violence and provocation.

Officials in my Department, including at the Embassy of Ireland in New Delhi, which is also accredited to Sri Lanka, will also continue to closely monitor the situation as it develops. I have asked that Ireland’s Ambassador in New Delhi keep me updated on the situation.