Colombo: Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena today asked all political parties to join hands to work for a better future for the country, amid a deepening power struggle between him and his unity government's Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.  

Sirisena's remarks came as he wished the countrymen on the Sinhala and Tamil New Year.   Wickremesinghe last week won the motion of no confidence moved by the joint opposition and backed by Sirisena's ministers. 

"I expect the support of all political parties to take forward the government's work. I asked all political parties represented in parliament to join hands to work for a better future for the country," a statement quoted him as saying.  

Sirisena said his decision to suspend the parliamentary sessions until May 8 has been misinterpreted.  

In an apparent reference to the no confidence motion, Sirisena says, "I decided to end the current session in view of the recent conflicting situation prevailed in parliament. It is time to open a new session with a new programme outline by the government." PTI