Colombo, Apr 12 (PTI) In a surprise move, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena today issued a proclamation suspending the sessions of Parliament.

There was no official reason given for the decision.

In a special gazette bearing number 2066/43, Sirisena stated under article 70 of the Constitution, "do by this proclamation, prorogue Parliament with effect from the midnight of the Twelfth day of April and fix the eighth day of May, Two Thousand Eighteen as the date for commencement of the next session of Parliament".

Parliament was to meet on April 19.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)