(Bloomberg) -- Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena isn’t giving up on trying to install former strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa as prime minister, a quest that has plunged the country into a weeks-long political crisis.

Sirisena on Sunday night called for a third no-confidence vote for Rajapaksa after lawmakers rejected him the first two times. On Friday, Rajapaksa’s supporters sought to disrupt a voice vote on his premiership by throwing books, chairs and chili powder mixed with water in the parliamentary chamber.

At a “friendly and cordial” all-party meeting on Sunday, leaders agreed that future parliamentary sessions “should be conducted peacefully and without any untoward acts,” according to a statement from Sirisena’s office.

The president also said he could only take a decision on the no-confidence motion if a vote is taken with member’s names or by electronic voting. Lawmakers are due to meet at 1:30 p.m. local time on Monday.

“He pointed out that it would be the most accepted method of voting system by the intellectuals and the public of the country as well as internationally,” Sirisena’s statement said. “He also stressed the need for adhering to the standing orders without resorting to voice vote which is not transparent, while voting on an important motion to change the government.”

The disarray has left Sri Lanka without a prime minister after Sirisena abruptly removed Ranil Wickremesinghe on Oct. 26 and installed Rajapaksa. Sri Lanka’s stocks have trailed regional benchmarks since then, while rupee has declined for five straight weeks.

Last week Sri Lanka’s central bank unexpectedly raised interest rates, even as it paved the way for a “substantial amount” of cash injection in the banking system to correct a liquidity deficit. The central bank also flagged the need for structural reforms to sustain growth instead of relying on short-term monetary and fiscal stimulus.

The U.S. has urged democratic process to be respected as concern mounts that Sri Lanka would shift back toward China under Rajapaksa. The crisis has stalled foreign aid and a $1.5 billion International Monetary Fund program.

Rajapaksa has challenged Wickremesinghe to a general election to let the people decide. Sirisena had earlier dissolved the parliament after his party conceded they lacked the numbers, but that was halted by the Supreme Court on a challenge by Wickremesinghe.

“The only way out of this situation is to go back to the people of this country and seek a clear mandate to govern,” Rajapaksa’s party said in a Twitter post on Friday.

To contact the reporter on this story: Anusha Ondaatjie in Colombo at anushao@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Ruth Pollard at rpollard2@bloomberg.net, Daniel Ten Kate, Ravil Shirodkar

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