<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-political-crisis-to-end-in-seven-days-president-maithripala-sirisena-181737">President Maithripala Sirisena</a>&nbsp;said Saturday that former president Mahinda Rajapaksa had tried to bribe politicians in order to show a majority in the country's parliament.

In an interview with Daily Mirror, Sirisena revealed that Rajapaksa failed to gather 113 members of parliament in his support and was, therefore, unable to show a clear majority in the no-confidence motion passed in the Sri Lankan parliament earlier in November.

Sirisena further said that the main reason for Rajapaksa's defeat was the hefty amount demanded by the parliamentarians which the former president failed to pay.

"I heard some bargained themselves for sums as high as Rs 500 million. Mahinda Rajapaksa could not gather the majority because of such high price tags quoted by the MPs, if not for that, he could have gotten the majority," the President said."If Mahinda Rajapaksa could show the majority of 113, this problem would not have been dragged for one and half months and there won't be any political crisis," he added.

Sirisena further assured that the Supreme Court's decision on the petitions against the dissolution of Parliament would soon resolve the ongoing political crisis in the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sri-lanka"> island nation.</a>

"If the court decides that the Parliament cannot be dissolved then he (Rajapaksa) has to let the majority of the Parliament to decide on a government with a prime minister he agrees to appoint," the President said. 
&nbsp;

President Maithripala Sirisena said Saturday that former president Mahinda Rajapaksa had tried to bribe politicians in order to show a majority in the country's parliament.

President Maithripala Sirisena said Saturday that former president Mahinda Rajapaksa had tried to bribe politicians in order to show a majority in the country's parliament. In an interview with Daily Mirror, Sirisena revealed that Rajapaksa failed to gather 113 members of parliament in his support and was, therefore, unable to show a clear majority in the no-confidence motion passed in the Sri Lankan parliament earlier in November. Sirisena further said that the main reason for Rajapaksa's defeat was the hefty amount demanded by the parliamentarians which the former president failed to pay. "I heard some bargained themselves for sums as high as Rs 500 million. Mahinda Rajapaksa could not gather the majority because of such high price tags quoted by the MPs, if not for that, he could have gotten the majority," the President said."If Mahinda Rajapaksa could show the majority of 113, this problem would not have been dragged for one and half months and there won't be any political crisis," he added. Sirisena further assured that the Supreme Court's decision on the petitions against the dissolution of Parliament would soon resolve the ongoing political crisis in the island nation. "If the court decides that the Parliament cannot be dissolved then he (Rajapaksa) has to let the majority of the Parliament to decide on a government with a prime minister he agrees to appoint," the President said.

Sri Lanka President Sirisena now says Rajapaksa tried to bribe parliamentarians to prove majority

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/at-vhp-rally-in-delhi-those-in-power-told-to-fulfil-demand-of-temple-in-ayodhya-182661">At VHP rally in Delhi, 'those in power' told to 'fulfil </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/at-vhp-rally-in-delhi-those-in-power-told-to-fulfil-demand-of-temple-in-ayodhya-182661">demand</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/at-vhp-rally-in-delhi-those-in-power-told-to-fulfil-demand-of-temple-in-ayodhya-182661"> of temple in Ayodhya'</a>

Senior RSS leader Suresh 'Bhaiyyaji' Joshi on Sunday made a veiled attack on the BJP for not fulfilling its promise of constructing a Ram Temple in Ayodhya and demanded the Union government enact legislation, if need be, for it. 
&nbsp;

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/disenfranchisement-may-be-first-possible-step-after-final-nrc-officials-182670">Disenfranchisement may be </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/disenfranchisement-may-be-first-possible-step-after-final-nrc-officials-182670">first</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/disenfranchisement-may-be-first-possible-step-after-final-nrc-officials-182670"> possible step after final Assam NRC: Officials</a>

Disenfranchisement may be the first possible step against those whose names will not be part of the final list of the NRC to be published after the claims and objections window comes to an end next week, officials said Sunday.

As of now, just about 10 lakh people out of the total of 40 lakh who were excluded in the draft of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) have submitted applications for inclusion of their names in the list of Assam's citizens.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/rajapaksa-bribed-parliamentarians-to-prove-majority-president-sirisena-182684">Sri Lanka President Sirisena now says Rajapaksa tried to bribe parliamentarians to prove majority</a>

President Maithripala Sirisena here on Saturday said that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had tried to bribe politicians in order to show a majority in the country's Parliament.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-must-not-interfere-in-french-politics-foreign-minister-182686">Trump must not interfere in French politics: Foreign minister</a>

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has said Donald Trump must not interfere in French politics.&nbsp;

"We do not take domestic American politics into account and we want that to be reciprocated," AFP quoted Jean-Yves Le Drian as telling LCI television.&nbsp;

"Leave our nation be," he added.&nbsp;

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/all-eyes-on-macron-as-yellow-vest-protests-continue-to-hit-france-182694">All eyes on Macron as 'Yellow Vest' protests continue to hit France</a>

Calls mounted Sunday for President Emmanuel Macron to bring an end to the "yellow vest" crisis gripping France as authorities in Paris and elsewhere counted the cost of another day of violent protests and looting.&nbsp;

Authorities said the anti-Macron riots in Paris had been less violent than a week ago, with fewer injured -- but city hall said the physical damage was far worse as the protests were spread out across the capital.

Burned-out cars dotted the streets in several neighbourhoods on Sunday morning as cleaners swept up the broken glass from smashed shop windows and bus stops.

At VHP rally in Delhi, 'those in power' told to 'fulfil demand of temple in Ayodhya' Senior RSS leader Suresh 'Bhaiyyaji' Joshi on Sunday made a veiled attack on the BJP for not fulfilling its promise of constructing a Ram Temple in Ayodhya and demanded the Union government enact legislation, if need be, for it.

At VHP rally in Delhi, 'those in power' told to 'fulfil demand of temple in Ayodhya' Senior RSS leader Suresh 'Bhaiyyaji' Joshi on Sunday made a veiled attack on the BJP for not fulfilling its promise of constructing a Ram Temple in Ayodhya and demanded the Union government enact legislation, if need be, for it. Disenfranchisement may be first possible step after final Assam NRC: Officials Disenfranchisement may be the first possible step against those whose names will not be part of the final list of the NRC to be published after the claims and objections window comes to an end next week, officials said Sunday. As of now, just about 10 lakh people out of the total of 40 lakh who were excluded in the draft of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) have submitted applications for inclusion of their names in the list of Assam's citizens. Sri Lanka President Sirisena now says Rajapaksa tried to bribe parliamentarians to prove majority President Maithripala Sirisena here on Saturday said that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had tried to bribe politicians in order to show a majority in the country's Parliament. Trump must not interfere in French politics: Foreign minister French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has said Donald Trump must not interfere in French politics. "We do not take domestic American politics into account and we want that to be reciprocated," AFP quoted Jean-Yves Le Drian as telling LCI television. "Leave our nation be," he added. All eyes on Macron as 'Yellow Vest' protests continue to hit France Calls mounted Sunday for President Emmanuel Macron to bring an end to the "yellow vest" crisis gripping France as authorities in Paris and elsewhere counted the cost of another day of violent protests and looting. Authorities said the anti-Macron riots in Paris had been less violent than a week ago, with fewer injured -- but city hall said the physical damage was far worse as the protests were spread out across the capital. Burned-out cars dotted the streets in several neighbourhoods on Sunday morning as cleaners swept up the broken glass from smashed shop windows and bus stops.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Breaking News: Sri Lankan court restrains Mahinda Rajapaksa from acting as PM

Sri Lanka's current political crisis due to President Maithripala Sirsena's "irresponsible" action of sacking prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has left the country on the brink of an "economic anarchy" never experienced before, the ousted finance minister said.

On October 26, Sirisena, in a controversial action, sacked Wickremesinghe and replaced him with former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, plunging the island nation into political chaos.

Wickremesinghe has demanded a floor test to prove his majority. Sirisena's party did not cooperate with parliamentary Speaker Karu Jayasuriya to hold the floor test.

Ousted finance minister Mangala Samaraweera said: "As a result of these actions, Sri Lanka is on the brink of an economic anarchy and chaos as never experienced before".

"The cavalier and irresponsible actions of the president starting on October 26th based on personal animosities and precipitating a series of illegal acts, places at risk Sri Lanka's ability to meet its immediate debt obligations.

"In early January 2019, we have to repay USD 1 billion of Rajapaksa's debt taken in January 2014, the repayment of which is also under the purview of Parliament," he said Tuesday.

Samaraweera said as per Article 148 of the Constitution, Parliament shall have full control over public finance.

In the absence of a legitimate government, a grave situation has now arisen as there is no legal way to meet public expenditure and obligations of the state from 2019, he said.

"The Constitution does not provide for any alternative arrangements for public finance, even with the intervention of the executive envisaged under the limited circumstances of article 150(3) under which the President can only allocate finances for the first three months of a new parliament.

"Thus, under the current circumstances, from January 1st 2019 until a new parliament is convened, the spending power of the state ceases to exist," Samaraweera said.

A legitimate government with an adequate majority in parliament would have had the opportunity to present at least a vote on the account which would have covered at least the first three months of the new year enabling payment of pensions, salaries and settlement of debts, he said.

Rajapaksa, at the time of appointing, said a vote on the account would be presented. However, Sirisena suspended the assembly until November 16, seen as a move to allow Rajapaksa buy time to obtain a majority by engineering defections from Wickremesinghe's UNP. He managed to win nine of them, leaving him at 105, still eight needed for a simple majority.

Later on the realisation of lack of numbers, Sirisena dissolved the assembly and set fresh parliamentary polls for January 5, 2019. A legal challenge against this was temporary upheld throwing the whole administration into disarray.

"This illegal government has no majority and are pirating the government benches through force and violence, and they cannot muster a majority to even pass a vote on account, they are forcibly preventing the lawful government from taking the critical steps to provide funding for 2019," Samaraweera said.

Samaraweera said Sri Lanka had never defaulted its debt obligations.

"The actions of October 26 have irreversibly undermined Sri Lanka's credibility in global markets - risking our ability to service future debt as well. We are being pushed towards a state of economic collapse as we stumble on to a road of a Greece like situation," he said.

The only way to rescue Sri Lanka from this unfortunate and unnecessary crisis is for the President to recognise the Prime Minister and the government that was in place prior to October 26, he said.

It is necessary for all like-minded people, regardless of political affiliation, to come forward to save the country from an otherwise impending economic collapse by supporting efforts to reestablish the supremacy of Parliament and the Constitution, he said.

The purported government's spokesman Bandula Gunawardena dismissed Samaraweera's claims and said Sri Lanka was still capable of meeting its debt repayment due in January.

Last week, Parliament witnessed unprecedented violence as lawmakers threw furniture and chilli powder at each other after Rajapaksa lost a no-trust vote.

The political imbroglio has created much uncertainty with work in state institutions being hampered. Sirisena last week urged top bureaucrats to carry on as usual.

Wickremesinghe's United National Party has warned officials that carrying out "illegal orders" from an "illegal" government could spell trouble for them.&nbsp;

Sri Lanka's current political crisis due to President Maithripala Sirsena's "irresponsible" action of sacking prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has left the country on the brink of an "economic anarchy" never experienced before, the ousted finance minister said.

Sri Lanka's current political crisis due to President Maithripala Sirsena's "irresponsible" action of sacking prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has left the country on the brink of an "economic anarchy" never experienced before, the ousted finance minister said. On October 26, Sirisena, in a controversial action, sacked Wickremesinghe and replaced him with former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, plunging the island nation into political chaos. Wickremesinghe has demanded a floor test to prove his majority. Sirisena's party did not cooperate with parliamentary Speaker Karu Jayasuriya to hold the floor test. Ousted finance minister Mangala Samaraweera said: "As a result of these actions, Sri Lanka is on the brink of an economic anarchy and chaos as never experienced before". "The cavalier and irresponsible actions of the president starting on October 26th based on personal animosities and precipitating a series of illegal acts, places at risk Sri Lanka's ability to meet its immediate debt obligations. "In early January 2019, we have to repay USD 1 billion of Rajapaksa's debt taken in January 2014, the repayment of which is also under the purview of Parliament," he said Tuesday. Samaraweera said as per Article 148 of the Constitution, Parliament shall have full control over public finance. In the absence of a legitimate government, a grave situation has now arisen as there is no legal way to meet public expenditure and obligations of the state from 2019, he said. "The Constitution does not provide for any alternative arrangements for public finance, even with the intervention of the executive envisaged under the limited circumstances of article 150(3) under which the President can only allocate finances for the first three months of a new parliament. "Thus, under the current circumstances, from January 1st 2019 until a new parliament is convened, the spending power of the state ceases to exist," Samaraweera said. A legitimate government with an adequate majority in parliament would have had the opportunity to present at least a vote on the account which would have covered at least the first three months of the new year enabling payment of pensions, salaries and settlement of debts, he said. Rajapaksa, at the time of appointing, said a vote on the account would be presented. However, Sirisena suspended the assembly until November 16, seen as a move to allow Rajapaksa buy time to obtain a majority by engineering defections from Wickremesinghe's UNP. He managed to win nine of them, leaving him at 105, still eight needed for a simple majority. Later on the realisation of lack of numbers, Sirisena dissolved the assembly and set fresh parliamentary polls for January 5, 2019. A legal challenge against this was temporary upheld throwing the whole administration into disarray. "This illegal government has no majority and are pirating the government benches through force and violence, and they cannot muster a majority to even pass a vote on account, they are forcibly preventing the lawful government from taking the critical steps to provide funding for 2019," Samaraweera said. Samaraweera said Sri Lanka had never defaulted its debt obligations. "The actions of October 26 have irreversibly undermined Sri Lanka's credibility in global markets - risking our ability to service future debt as well. We are being pushed towards a state of economic collapse as we stumble on to a road of a Greece like situation," he said. The only way to rescue Sri Lanka from this unfortunate and unnecessary crisis is for the President to recognise the Prime Minister and the government that was in place prior to October 26, he said. It is necessary for all like-minded people, regardless of political affiliation, to come forward to save the country from an otherwise impending economic collapse by supporting efforts to reestablish the supremacy of Parliament and the Constitution, he said. The purported government's spokesman Bandula Gunawardena dismissed Samaraweera's claims and said Sri Lanka was still capable of meeting its debt repayment due in January. Last week, Parliament witnessed unprecedented violence as lawmakers threw furniture and chilli powder at each other after Rajapaksa lost a no-trust vote. The political imbroglio has created much uncertainty with work in state institutions being hampered. Sirisena last week urged top bureaucrats to carry on as usual. Wickremesinghe's United National Party has warned officials that carrying out "illegal orders" from an "illegal" government could spell trouble for them.

Sri Lankan economy on brink of 'anarchy' due to Wickremesinghe's sacking: Ousted finance minister

Sri Lanka's largest party warned Tuesday that the island could default on its debt as Moody's slashed its credit rating and a bitter power struggle dragged into the fourth week.

The South Asian nation has been gripped by an unprecedented political crisis since the president sacked his prime minister on October 26 and appointed former strongman Mahinda Rajapakse in his place.

Ranil Wickremesinghe, the ousted premier and leader of the United National Party -- the largest single party in parliament -- refused to step down, declaring his sacking illegal.

President Maithripala Sirisena then dissolved parliament and called snap elections for January 5 -- a decision later suspended by the Supreme Court.&nbsp;

The parliament, restored by court order, voted twice to topple Rajapakse last week but he has also refused to step down, leaving Sri Lanka without a government since November 15.

Mangala Samaraweera, a member of Wickremesinghe's party who served as finance minister until the chaos broke out, said he was worried the crisis could lead the country into an "economic abyss".

"If we don't have a budget approved unveiled in the next few weeks, the government will not be able to spend any money from January 1, 2019," he told reporters in Colombo.

International ratings agency Moody said its decision to downgrade Sri Lanka's credit rating from B1 to B2 reflected external and internal issues, which were "exacerbated most recently by a political crisis which seems likely to have a lasting impact on policy even if ostensibly resolved quickly."

A credit downgrade means Sri Lanka would have to pay more by way of interest on its foreign borrowings, because of a greater risk of default.

The political unrest also saw the International Monetary Fund (IMF) suspend a tranche of a $1.5-billion bailout loan agreed to in 2016.

Samaraweera said there was a serious risk of the country defaulting on a $1-billion sovereign bond that matures on January 10.

"We are now in uncharted territory," he said. "We have never been in a situation where we were unable to meet our foreign debt."

Sri Lanka's largest party warned Tuesday that the island could default on its debt as Moody's slashed its credit rating and a bitter power struggle dragged into the fourth week.

Sri Lanka's largest party warned Tuesday that the island could default on its debt as Moody's slashed its credit rating and a bitter power struggle dragged into the fourth week. The South Asian nation has been gripped by an unprecedented political crisis since the president sacked his prime minister on October 26 and appointed former strongman Mahinda Rajapakse in his place. Ranil Wickremesinghe, the ousted premier and leader of the United National Party -- the largest single party in parliament -- refused to step down, declaring his sacking illegal. President Maithripala Sirisena then dissolved parliament and called snap elections for January 5 -- a decision later suspended by the Supreme Court. The parliament, restored by court order, voted twice to topple Rajapakse last week but he has also refused to step down, leaving Sri Lanka without a government since November 15. Mangala Samaraweera, a member of Wickremesinghe's party who served as finance minister until the chaos broke out, said he was worried the crisis could lead the country into an "economic abyss". "If we don't have a budget approved unveiled in the next few weeks, the government will not be able to spend any money from January 1, 2019," he told reporters in Colombo. International ratings agency Moody said its decision to downgrade Sri Lanka's credit rating from B1 to B2 reflected external and internal issues, which were "exacerbated most recently by a political crisis which seems likely to have a lasting impact on policy even if ostensibly resolved quickly." A credit downgrade means Sri Lanka would have to pay more by way of interest on its foreign borrowings, because of a greater risk of default. The political unrest also saw the International Monetary Fund (IMF) suspend a tranche of a $1.5-billion bailout loan agreed to in 2016. Samaraweera said there was a serious risk of the country defaulting on a $1-billion sovereign bond that matures on January 10. "We are now in uncharted territory," he said. "We have never been in a situation where we were unable to meet our foreign debt."

Sri Lanka risks debt default, warns largest party

Lankan Parliament&nbsp;reconvened <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/ri-lanka-does-not-have-a-pm-or-cabinet-after-no-confidence-vote-says-speaker-karu-jayasuriya-177452">amid chaotic scenes on Thursday</a> after the no-confidence vote against Rajapaksa who was controversially elected by President Sirisena.

Rajapaksa accused Ranil Wikramsinghe of ruining the country as he sat on the prime minister's chair. The Lankan strongman&nbsp;alleged that Ranil Wickremesinghe had borrowed money from abroad. Rajapaksa&nbsp;said his name was tarnished as a result of the political chaos.

Rajapaksa announced that would continue as prime minister asserting that President Sirisena had invited him to the post. Rajapaksa also attacked Speaker Karun Jayasuriya asking him to step down.

Amid the chaos, the UNP lawmakers sought to move a motion against Rajapaksa's speech.

The Lankan House witnessed scenes of unruly behaviour by legislators as the political crisis&nbsp;played out openly between supporters of Rajapaksa and Wickremesinghe. Some lawmakers threatened the Speaker with bottles being thrown in the air.

Rajapaksa supporters rushed to the Well of the House as the turmoil continued unabated.&nbsp;

One lawmaker was injured in the clashes which followed and was taken to the&nbsp;hospital. As chaos reigned, Ranil Wickramasinghe and Rajapaksa were seen leaving the house. 
&nbsp; 
As the House opened,&nbsp; Speaker of Sri Lanka's parliament, Karu Jayasuriya, said that in his view the country did not have a prime minister or cabinet after Wednesday's no-confidence vote.

President Sirisena had said earlier that the Parliament "tried to override the Constitutional powers of the president and the judiciary."

The Lankan president said Speaker Karu Jayasuriya ignored and violated the "Constitutional provisions, standing orders and the Parliamentary traditions"&nbsp;by passing the no-confidence motion.

The Supreme Court had on Tuesday overturned President Sirisena's decision to dissolve Parliament and halted the preparations for snap polls on January 5.

After the court verdict, Speaker Jayasuriya had summoned Parliament's session for Thursday morning.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Q2kIxD2iaRA" width="560"></iframe>

Lankan Parliament reconvened amid chaotic scenes on Thursday after the no-confidence vote against Rajapaksa who was controversially elected by President Sirisena.

Lankan Parliament reconvened amid chaotic scenes on Thursday after the no-confidence vote against Rajapaksa who was controversially elected by President Sirisena. Rajapaksa accused Ranil Wikramsinghe of ruining the country as he sat on the prime minister's chair. The Lankan strongman alleged that Ranil Wickremesinghe had borrowed money from abroad. Rajapaksa said his name was tarnished as a result of the political chaos. Rajapaksa announced that would continue as prime minister asserting that President Sirisena had invited him to the post. Rajapaksa also attacked Speaker Karun Jayasuriya asking him to step down. Amid the chaos, the UNP lawmakers sought to move a motion against Rajapaksa's speech. The Lankan House witnessed scenes of unruly behaviour by legislators as the political crisis played out openly between supporters of Rajapaksa and Wickremesinghe. Some lawmakers threatened the Speaker with bottles being thrown in the air. Rajapaksa supporters rushed to the Well of the House as the turmoil continued unabated. One lawmaker was injured in the clashes which followed and was taken to the hospital. As chaos reigned, Ranil Wickramasinghe and Rajapaksa were seen leaving the house. As the House opened, Speaker of Sri Lanka's parliament, Karu Jayasuriya, said that in his view the country did not have a prime minister or cabinet after Wednesday's no-confidence vote. President Sirisena had said earlier that the Parliament "tried to override the Constitutional powers of the president and the judiciary." The Lankan president said Speaker Karu Jayasuriya ignored and violated the "Constitutional provisions, standing orders and the Parliamentary traditions" by passing the no-confidence motion. The Supreme Court had on Tuesday overturned President Sirisena's decision to dissolve Parliament and halted the preparations for snap polls on January 5. After the court verdict, Speaker Jayasuriya had summoned Parliament's session for Thursday morning.

Rajapaksa defiant as clashes erupt in Sri Lanka Parliament; 1 lawmaker injured

The Speaker of Sri Lanka's parliament, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/president-sirisena-rejects-lankan-parliaments-no-confidence-motion-against-rajapaksa-177417">Karu Jayasuriya, on Thursday</a> said that in his view the country did not have a prime minister or cabinet after Wednesday's no-confidence vote.

The parliament passed the no-confidence motion against recently appointed prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and his government, with the backing of 122 lawmakers from the 225-member legislature.

However, President Maithripala Sirisena in a letter to the Speaker said he cannot accept the no-confidence vote as the speaker appeared to have ignored the constitution, parliamentary procedure and traditions.

The Lankan president said Speaker Karu Jayasuriya ignored and violated the Constitutional provisions, standing orders and the Parliamentary traditions by passing the no-confidence motion.

Sirisena added that Rajapaksa was appointed as per the provisions a president is given under the Constitution, asserting that it was not necessary for the prime minister to show a majority in the Parliament according to Parliamentary traditions.

The Parliament had on Wednesday met for the first time since October 26, when President Sirisena sacked Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and suspended the Parliament plunging the island nation into a crisis.

The Speaker had calculated the votes based on the voices he heard as Rajapaksa supporters disrupted the proceedings in the House. The Supreme Court had on Tuesday overturned President Sirisena's decision to dissolve Parliament and halted the preparations for snap polls on January 5.

 
"President has the full power to appoint the prime minister," Sirisena said.

The Speaker of Sri Lanka's parliament, Karu Jayasuriya, on Thursday said that in his view the country did not have a prime minister or cabinet after Wednesday's no-confidence vote.

The Speaker of Sri Lanka's parliament, Karu Jayasuriya, on Thursday said that in his view the country did not have a prime minister or cabinet after Wednesday's no-confidence vote. The parliament passed the no-confidence motion against recently appointed prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and his government, with the backing of 122 lawmakers from the 225-member legislature. However, President Maithripala Sirisena in a letter to the Speaker said he cannot accept the no-confidence vote as the speaker appeared to have ignored the constitution, parliamentary procedure and traditions. The Lankan president said Speaker Karu Jayasuriya ignored and violated the Constitutional provisions, standing orders and the Parliamentary traditions by passing the no-confidence motion. Sirisena added that Rajapaksa was appointed as per the provisions a president is given under the Constitution, asserting that it was not necessary for the prime minister to show a majority in the Parliament according to Parliamentary traditions. The Parliament had on Wednesday met for the first time since October 26, when President Sirisena sacked Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and suspended the Parliament plunging the island nation into a crisis. The Speaker had calculated the votes based on the voices he heard as Rajapaksa supporters disrupted the proceedings in the House. The Supreme Court had on Tuesday overturned President Sirisena's decision to dissolve Parliament and halted the preparations for snap polls on January 5. "President has the full power to appoint the prime minister," Sirisena said.

Sri Lanka does not have a PM or cabinet after no-confidence vote, says Speaker Karu Jayasuriya

Speaking shortly after the no-trust vote in the parliament on Wednesday, ousted Sri Lankan prime minister Wickremesinghe claimed that his government had been restored after extra-constitutional action by President Sirisena to sack him as the premier. Wickremesinghe added that he will now take steps to ensure that the government "in place before October 26 will continue."

"We will now take steps to ensure that the government in place before October 26 will continue. I wish to inform all government servants and police that you should not carry out illegal orders from the purported government that has failed to demonstrate the confidence of the people," news agency PTI quoted Wickremesinghe.

Senior leader of Wickremesinghe's United National Party (UNP) Sajith Premadasa said that the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-parliament-votes-against-rajapakse-177250">Government headed by Rajapaksa clearly lost the floor test</a>, demanding Prime Minister Rajapaksa to step down.&nbsp;

Wickremesinghe's reaction came shortly after Sri Lanka's Parliament on Wednesday passed a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa who was installed by President Maithripala Sirisena in a controversial move.

Meanwhile, Deputies from Rajapaksa's party rejected the voice vote as illegal, saying it wasn't scheduled and that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-rajapaksa-deputies-say-he-will-stay-in-office-177314">the former strongman would remain in office</a>.

President Maithripala Sirisena's next move is being contemplated now as it remains unclear what he would do next.

Government officials said there was confusion about who was in charge.

"We need cabinet approvals to go ahead with large value projects," one told Reuters. "We don't know if a cabinet exists or not."

Sri Lanka, the island nation, plunged into crisis last month when President Sirisena fired Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and named Rajapaksa to the job.

Sirisena dissolved parliament last week and ordered elections as a way to break the deadlock but the Supreme Court ordered a suspension of that decree on Tuesday until it had heard petitions challenging the decree as unconstitutional.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Speaking shortly after the no-trust vote in the parliament on Wednesday, ousted Sri Lankan prime minister Wickremesinghe claimed that his government had been restored after extra-constitutional action by President Sirisena to sack him as the premier.

Speaking shortly after the no-trust vote in the parliament on Wednesday, ousted Sri Lankan prime minister Wickremesinghe claimed that his government had been restored after extra-constitutional action by President Sirisena to sack him as the premier. Wickremesinghe added that he will now take steps to ensure that the government "in place before October 26 will continue." "We will now take steps to ensure that the government in place before October 26 will continue. I wish to inform all government servants and police that you should not carry out illegal orders from the purported government that has failed to demonstrate the confidence of the people," news agency PTI quoted Wickremesinghe. Senior leader of Wickremesinghe's United National Party (UNP) Sajith Premadasa said that the Government headed by Rajapaksa clearly lost the floor test, demanding Prime Minister Rajapaksa to step down. Wickremesinghe's reaction came shortly after Sri Lanka's Parliament on Wednesday passed a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa who was installed by President Maithripala Sirisena in a controversial move. Meanwhile, Deputies from Rajapaksa's party rejected the voice vote as illegal, saying it wasn't scheduled and that the former strongman would remain in office. President Maithripala Sirisena's next move is being contemplated now as it remains unclear what he would do next. Government officials said there was confusion about who was in charge. "We need cabinet approvals to go ahead with large value projects," one told Reuters. "We don't know if a cabinet exists or not." Sri Lanka, the island nation, plunged into crisis last month when President Sirisena fired Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and named Rajapaksa to the job. Sirisena dissolved parliament last week and ordered elections as a way to break the deadlock but the Supreme Court ordered a suspension of that decree on Tuesday until it had heard petitions challenging the decree as unconstitutional. (With inputs from agencies)

Sri Lanka crisis: Rajapaksa, Wickremesinghe and Sirisena camps on the road ahead

The Sri Lankan Supreme Court on Tuesday overturned President Maithripala Sirisena's decision to dissolve the island nation's parliament. The court has stayed President's decision till December 19 and also ordered a halt to preparations for snap elections next year.

Sirisena dissolved Parliament on November 9 and announced snap polls to be held on January 5 next year after it became clear that he did not have enough support in the House to prove the premiership of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, whom he appointed prime minister after abruptly sacking <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/wickremesinghe-vows-new-alliance-to-face-impending-elections-176935">Ranil Wickremesinghe</a> on October 26.

The three-judge bench headed by the Chief Justice Nalin Perera read out the landmark decision to a packed court that was guarded by hundreds of heavily armed police and commandos.

Rajapaksa needed the support of at least 113 parliamentarians in the 225-member House to prove his majority.

Major political parties and an election commission member on Monday dragged Sirisena to the Supreme Court, challenging his move of dissolving Parliament, almost 20 months before its term was to end.

On Monday, dozens of people booed a legislator loyal to Sirisena as he arrived at the court complex, prompting police to declare the site out of bounds on Tuesday.

Wickremesinghe said his United National Party is currently discussing about building a broader people's organization in what he said to save the country from the current political crisis.

The statement comes amid calls by pro-democracy forces for greater efforts to restore democracy and fears that the country may be sliding back to the pre-2015 situation.&nbsp;

The petitioners had called the president's decision as unconstitutional.

The attorney general of Sri Lanka had backed president Sirisena saying that he invoked his plenary executive power to dissolve the parliament.

The attorney general had also added that the top court has no jurisdiction to hear and determine filed petitions.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan freedom party led by president Maithripala Sirisena called a special meeting at the presidential secretariat.

The move comes after Sri Lanka's new prime minister Rajapaksa and 44 former lawmakers have defected from the party led by president Mithripala Sirisena.

The split with the president's party comes barely two weeks after he installed Rajapaksa in office.

An intense power struggle has erupted in Sri Lanka in the past two weeks following president Sirisena’s sudden sacking of prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and the appointment of former leader Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The Sri Lankan Supreme Court on Tuesday overturned President Maithripala Sirisena's decision to dissolve the island nation's parliament. The court has stayed President's decision till December 19 and also ordered a halt to preparations for snap elections next year.

The Sri Lankan Supreme Court on Tuesday overturned President Maithripala Sirisena's decision to dissolve the island nation's parliament. The court has stayed President's decision till December 19 and also ordered a halt to preparations for snap elections next year. Sirisena dissolved Parliament on November 9 and announced snap polls to be held on January 5 next year after it became clear that he did not have enough support in the House to prove the premiership of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, whom he appointed prime minister after abruptly sacking Ranil Wickremesinghe on October 26. The three-judge bench headed by the Chief Justice Nalin Perera read out the landmark decision to a packed court that was guarded by hundreds of heavily armed police and commandos. Rajapaksa needed the support of at least 113 parliamentarians in the 225-member House to prove his majority. Major political parties and an election commission member on Monday dragged Sirisena to the Supreme Court, challenging his move of dissolving Parliament, almost 20 months before its term was to end. On Monday, dozens of people booed a legislator loyal to Sirisena as he arrived at the court complex, prompting police to declare the site out of bounds on Tuesday. Wickremesinghe said his United National Party is currently discussing about building a broader people's organization in what he said to save the country from the current political crisis. The statement comes amid calls by pro-democracy forces for greater efforts to restore democracy and fears that the country may be sliding back to the pre-2015 situation. The petitioners had called the president's decision as unconstitutional. The attorney general of Sri Lanka had backed president Sirisena saying that he invoked his plenary executive power to dissolve the parliament. The attorney general had also added that the top court has no jurisdiction to hear and determine filed petitions. Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan freedom party led by president Maithripala Sirisena called a special meeting at the presidential secretariat. The move comes after Sri Lanka's new prime minister Rajapaksa and 44 former lawmakers have defected from the party led by president Mithripala Sirisena. The split with the president's party comes barely two weeks after he installed Rajapaksa in office. An intense power struggle has erupted in Sri Lanka in the past two weeks following president Sirisena’s sudden sacking of prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and the appointment of former leader Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Sri Lanka Supreme Court overturns President Sirisena's decision to dissolve parliament

Sri Lanka's ousted prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe announced Monday to forge a new political alliance to fight the January 5 general elections even as he dismissed President Maithripala Sirisena's justification for dissolving Parliament, saying no one had feared any bloodshed.

Sirisena dissolved Parliament on November 9 and announced snap polls to be held on January 5 next year after it became evident that he did not have enough support in the House to prove the premiership of 72-year-old Mahinda Rajapaksa, whom he appointed prime minister after abruptly sacking Wickremesinghe on October 26.

The President said the decision to dissolve Parliament was taken to prevent clashes among rival lawmakers and blamed Speaker Karu Jayasuriya for not accepting his presidential powers.

Wickremesinghe, the leader of the United National Party (UNP), said his party will form a new alliance with the other parties with a new face to pull the nation out of the present crisis, Daily Mirror reported.

He also responded to Sirisena's address in which he blamed Speaker Jayasuriya for creating a situation to force snap polls, saying no one had feared any bloodshed in Parliament or murder inside the chamber.

"If the President had any information, he should have informed the Speaker then it would be the Speaker's duty to take necessary steps," Wickremesinghe said.

On Sirisena's charge that parliamentarians were being traded for large sums of money to extend support, Wickremesinghe said: "it was the President who took some of our people to his side and gave them ministerial posts, so he should know about members of Parliament being traded for money".

Recalling his uneasy three-year alliance with Sirisena, the ousted premier said: "I faced various challenges, slander and heartburn. I tolerated them with patience because I wanted to uphold the mandate we received in 2015".

"It is not possible to build up a nation through undemocratic and destructive means. We will not allow anyone to destroy this nation which we have managed to safeguard at the risk of our lives.

"I promise to pull this nation through the present curse by associating myself in a new and a broad alliance. Therefore I invite everyone to join this new political force," Wickremesinghe was quoted as saying by the daily.

Rajapaksa, who ruled Lanka for a nearly decade from 2005, was unexpectedly defeated by his deputy Sirisena in the presidential election held in January 2015 with the support from Wickremesinghe's UNP.

However, the power-sharing arrangement between Sirisena and Wickremesinghe became increasingly tenuous on several policy matters, especially on issues like the economy and security. And subsequently, Sirisena abruptly ousted Wickremesinghe and replaced him with Rajapaksa.

The island nation plunged into a constitutional crisis following the move.

Sirisena suspended parliamentary proceedings until November 16. Later, owing to domestic and global pressure, he issued a notice to reconvene Parliament on November 14. Last week, he dissolved Parliament and announced snap polls in January 2019.&nbsp;

Sri Lanka's ousted prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe announced Monday to forge a new political alliance to fight the January 5 general elections even as he dismissed President Maithripala Sirisena's justification for dissolving Parliament, saying no one had feared any bloodshed.

Sri Lanka's ousted prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe announced Monday to forge a new political alliance to fight the January 5 general elections even as he dismissed President Maithripala Sirisena's justification for dissolving Parliament, saying no one had feared any bloodshed. Sirisena dissolved Parliament on November 9 and announced snap polls to be held on January 5 next year after it became evident that he did not have enough support in the House to prove the premiership of 72-year-old Mahinda Rajapaksa, whom he appointed prime minister after abruptly sacking Wickremesinghe on October 26. The President said the decision to dissolve Parliament was taken to prevent clashes among rival lawmakers and blamed Speaker Karu Jayasuriya for not accepting his presidential powers. Wickremesinghe, the leader of the United National Party (UNP), said his party will form a new alliance with the other parties with a new face to pull the nation out of the present crisis, Daily Mirror reported. He also responded to Sirisena's address in which he blamed Speaker Jayasuriya for creating a situation to force snap polls, saying no one had feared any bloodshed in Parliament or murder inside the chamber. "If the President had any information, he should have informed the Speaker then it would be the Speaker's duty to take necessary steps," Wickremesinghe said. On Sirisena's charge that parliamentarians were being traded for large sums of money to extend support, Wickremesinghe said: "it was the President who took some of our people to his side and gave them ministerial posts, so he should know about members of Parliament being traded for money". Recalling his uneasy three-year alliance with Sirisena, the ousted premier said: "I faced various challenges, slander and heartburn. I tolerated them with patience because I wanted to uphold the mandate we received in 2015". "It is not possible to build up a nation through undemocratic and destructive means. We will not allow anyone to destroy this nation which we have managed to safeguard at the risk of our lives. "I promise to pull this nation through the present curse by associating myself in a new and a broad alliance. Therefore I invite everyone to join this new political force," Wickremesinghe was quoted as saying by the daily. Rajapaksa, who ruled Lanka for a nearly decade from 2005, was unexpectedly defeated by his deputy Sirisena in the presidential election held in January 2015 with the support from Wickremesinghe's UNP. However, the power-sharing arrangement between Sirisena and Wickremesinghe became increasingly tenuous on several policy matters, especially on issues like the economy and security. And subsequently, Sirisena abruptly ousted Wickremesinghe and replaced him with Rajapaksa. The island nation plunged into a constitutional crisis following the move. Sirisena suspended parliamentary proceedings until November 16. Later, owing to domestic and global pressure, he issued a notice to reconvene Parliament on November 14. Last week, he dissolved Parliament and announced snap polls in January 2019.

Sri Lanka: Wickremesinghe vows new alliance to face impending elections

Sri Lanka's strongman leader Mahinda Rajapaksa&nbsp;on Sunday called his five-decade-long association with &nbsp;Sri Lanka Freedom Party, news agency PTI reported.&nbsp;

According to reports, Rajapaksa&nbsp;has now joined hands with the newly-formed Sri Lanka People's Party (SLPP).

Rajapaksa's move hint at the possibility of him contesting the snap polls on January 5.&nbsp;

Rajapaksa&nbsp;on Sunday vowed snap elections would go ahead to "seek a mandate from the people". He claimed that he is confident of sweeping the elections that are due on January 5.

"The election will go ahead and <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lankas-rajapakse-vows-to-hold-polls-despite-challenge-176648">I am confident we will sweep the election</a>," he told reporters.

"The international community must realise that this is a democracy. They must understand our position. We are seeking a mandate from the people," Rajapaksa&nbsp;was quoted by AFP.&nbsp;

According to PTI, the former president obtained the membership of the SLPP, launched by his supporters, Sunday morning. SLFP was founded in 1951, his father Don Alwin Rajapaksa was a founding member of the party.

The SLPP was formed last year by Rajapaksa's supporters to create a platform for his re-entry into politics. The party in February's local council election won two-thirds of the total 340 seats.&nbsp;

The ongoing political turmoil in Sri Lanka began around two weeks ago after President Maithripala Sirisena sacked prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, replacing him with Rajapaksa. The power swap move was described as illegal by rivals.

Sirisena dismissed parliament on Friday and called new polls for January 5, throwing the island into fresh chaos as the United States urged Sri Lanka to respect democratic processes, news agency AFP reported.

Wickremesinghe's party had wanted parliament reconvened to prove he commanded a majority, but Sirisena refused and sacked the legislature instead, escalating a standoff between the rival factions.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Sri Lanka's strongman leader Mahinda Rajapaksa on Sunday called his five-decade-long association with Sri Lanka Freedom Party, news agency PTI reported. According to reports, Rajapaksa has now joined hands with the newly-formed Sri Lanka People's Party (SLPP).

Sri Lanka's strongman leader Mahinda Rajapaksa on Sunday called his five-decade-long association with Sri Lanka Freedom Party, news agency PTI reported. According to reports, Rajapaksa has now joined hands with the newly-formed Sri Lanka People's Party (SLPP). Rajapaksa's move hint at the possibility of him contesting the snap polls on January 5. Rajapaksa on Sunday vowed snap elections would go ahead to "seek a mandate from the people". He claimed that he is confident of sweeping the elections that are due on January 5. "The election will go ahead and I am confident we will sweep the election," he told reporters. "The international community must realise that this is a democracy. They must understand our position. We are seeking a mandate from the people," Rajapaksa was quoted by AFP. According to PTI, the former president obtained the membership of the SLPP, launched by his supporters, Sunday morning. SLFP was founded in 1951, his father Don Alwin Rajapaksa was a founding member of the party. The SLPP was formed last year by Rajapaksa's supporters to create a platform for his re-entry into politics. The party in February's local council election won two-thirds of the total 340 seats. The ongoing political turmoil in Sri Lanka began around two weeks ago after President Maithripala Sirisena sacked prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, replacing him with Rajapaksa. The power swap move was described as illegal by rivals. Sirisena dismissed parliament on Friday and called new polls for January 5, throwing the island into fresh chaos as the United States urged Sri Lanka to respect democratic processes, news agency AFP reported. Wickremesinghe's party had wanted parliament reconvened to prove he commanded a majority, but Sirisena refused and sacked the legislature instead, escalating a standoff between the rival factions. (With inputs from agencies)

Confident of 'sweeping' January 5 snap polls, Rajapaksa ends 50-year association with Sirisena's party

Sri Lanka's parliamentary speaker has called the president's sacking of the prime minister to bring a former leader back to power a non-violent coup d'etat.

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya is a key figure in the political standoff that started on October&nbsp;26, when President Maithripala Sirisena fired Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and replaced him with former president Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Wickremesinghe is refusing to vacate his prime ministerial residence and insists he remains in office until voted out by parliament. The president had suspended parliament, a move Rajapaksa's opponents say is aimed at preventing it from rejecting his return to power.

"The entire series of events can only be described as a coup, albeit one without the use of tanks and guns," Speaker Jayasuriya said in a letter dated Nov. 5 to diplomats and foreign missions, adding the "entire matter was pre-planned".

Jayasuriya says the majority of parliamentarians view the change in prime minister as unconstitutional. In the letter he said some of them were offered bribes and ministerial jobs to support the new government.

He accused Sirisena of acting "contrary to all norms of transparency, decency, democracy and good governance, and contrary to the constitution which he has sworn to uphold and defend."

Sirisena says he fired Wickremesinghe because he was trying to implement "a new, extreme liberal political concept by giving more priority for foreign policies and neglecting the local people's sentiment," and denies acting unconstitutionally.

Rajapaksa, under whose rule Sri Lanka achieved its 2009 victory in a decades-long conflict against rebels from the Tamil minority, is seen as a hero by many among Sri Lanka’s Buddhist majority. He has been accused by diplomats of human rights abuses during the war, which he denies.

India and Western countries also worry about his close ties to China, which loaned Sri Lanka billions of dollars for infrastructure projects during his rule.

A foreign ministry official told Reuters that some foreign envoys have said they will only recognise Rajapaksa as prime minister after he can prove he has support of a majority in parliament.

Sirisena has recalled the parliament on Nov. 14. Independent political analysts told Reuters a majority in the 225-member legislature is against the sudden sacking of Wickremesinghe.

At least eight lawmakers have deserted Wickremesinghe and accepted ministerial posts under Rajapaksa, while one deputy minister resigned and joined Wickremesinghe.

Sri Lanka's parliamentary speaker has called the president's sacking of the prime minister to bring a former leader back to power a non-violent coup d'etat. Speaker Karu Jayasuriya is a key figure in the political standoff that started on October 26, when President Maithripala Sirisena fired Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and replaced him with former president Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Sri Lanka's parliamentary speaker has called the president's sacking of the prime minister to bring a former leader back to power a non-violent coup d'etat. Speaker Karu Jayasuriya is a key figure in the political standoff that started on October 26, when President Maithripala Sirisena fired Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and replaced him with former president Mahinda Rajapaksa. Wickremesinghe is refusing to vacate his prime ministerial residence and insists he remains in office until voted out by parliament. The president had suspended parliament, a move Rajapaksa's opponents say is aimed at preventing it from rejecting his return to power. "The entire series of events can only be described as a coup, albeit one without the use of tanks and guns," Speaker Jayasuriya said in a letter dated Nov. 5 to diplomats and foreign missions, adding the "entire matter was pre-planned". Jayasuriya says the majority of parliamentarians view the change in prime minister as unconstitutional. In the letter he said some of them were offered bribes and ministerial jobs to support the new government. He accused Sirisena of acting "contrary to all norms of transparency, decency, democracy and good governance, and contrary to the constitution which he has sworn to uphold and defend." Sirisena says he fired Wickremesinghe because he was trying to implement "a new, extreme liberal political concept by giving more priority for foreign policies and neglecting the local people's sentiment," and denies acting unconstitutionally. Rajapaksa, under whose rule Sri Lanka achieved its 2009 victory in a decades-long conflict against rebels from the Tamil minority, is seen as a hero by many among Sri Lanka’s Buddhist majority. He has been accused by diplomats of human rights abuses during the war, which he denies. India and Western countries also worry about his close ties to China, which loaned Sri Lanka billions of dollars for infrastructure projects during his rule. A foreign ministry official told Reuters that some foreign envoys have said they will only recognise Rajapaksa as prime minister after he can prove he has support of a majority in parliament. Sirisena has recalled the parliament on Nov. 14. Independent political analysts told Reuters a majority in the 225-member legislature is against the sudden sacking of Wickremesinghe. At least eight lawmakers have deserted Wickremesinghe and accepted ministerial posts under Rajapaksa, while one deputy minister resigned and joined Wickremesinghe.

Sri Lanka has suffered a 'coup without guns': Parliament speaker

Thousands of Sri Lankans marched Monday in support of a new government led by the country's former strongman, highlighting the political polarization in the Indian Ocean island nation.

The rally near Parliament came amid a constitutional crisis sparked by President Maithripala Sirisena's move to oust Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, replace him with ex-leader Mahinda Rajapaksa and suspend Parliament.

Wickremesinghe has refused to vacate his official residence, insisting he is the lawful prime minister and that the president had no constitutional right to replace him. Thousands of his supporters have been keeping vigil.

Supporters of Rajapaksa at the rally chanted "Whose power is this? Mahinda's power!"&nbsp;

As patriotic songs blared over loudspeakers, thousands shuffled through heavy rain toward a makeshift stage. Police and Sri Lankan special forces with semi-automatic rifles stood guard.

Pradeep Kariyawasam, the head of Rajapaksa's party in Colombo, said that although Wickremesinghe continues to maintain he is the country's legitimate leader, "the people are with us."&nbsp;

"Give people a chance to choose their government and not hide behind constitutional interpretations," he said.

Sirisena and Rajapaksa arrived at the rally amid loud cheers.

Sirisena told the crowd that the change he initiated was more than a personnel shift.

"I ousted a vision that is incompatible with our local culture and values, and that works according to foreign agendas," Sirisena said.

"For the past 3 ? years, poor people were suppressed by Ranil Wickremesinghe's economic and political vision. Local thoughts were rejected and an extreme neo-liberal form of governance was carried out."&nbsp;

He was referring to Wickremesinghe's free-market economic policies and public-private partnerships with companies from China and India to operate strategic centers such as ports and airports.

Rajapaksa supporters have accused Wickremesinghe of selling Sri Lanka's assets, citing a 99-year lease agreement his government struck with Hong Kong conglomerate China Merchants Port Holdings Co Ltd last year to operate a failing port developed with Chinese debt during Rajapaksa's decadelong presidency.

Critics of Sirisena's actions say Parliament was suspended to give Rajapaksa time to gather enough support to survive a no-confidence vote when lawmakers reconvene November 14.

Parliament Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said on Monday that he won't recognize the new appointments until either side is able to prove it has a majority. It means that the speaker still recognizes a Wickremesinghe-led Parliament.

"I wish to emphasize that I am compelled to accept the status that existed previously until such time that they (the pro-Wickremesinghe lawmakers) and the new political alliance prove their majority in Parliament," he said.

The statement was fuel at Rajapaksa's five-hour rally. Lawmaker Susil Premjayantha told the crowd that electing a new speaker could be the first order of business when Parliament reopens, suggesting the party will bring a no-confidence motion against Jayasuriya.

Wickremesinghe said in an interview with The Associated Press last week that there is credible evidence that Rajapaksa's party is attempting to buy support in Parliament. Palitha Range Bandara, a United National Party lawmaker, has said that he was offered millions of dollars and a minister portfolio if he crossed over.

Lawmakers from Rajapaksa's party have denied the allegations. Seven members of Wickremesinghe's United National Front have defected to Rajapaksa's government.

On Saturday, the Tamil National Alliance ? an ethnic minority Tamil party ? said it will support a no-confidence motion to be brought against Rajapaksa, after one lawmaker from their party joined Rajapaksa's government.

The Tamil party's 15 votes could give Wickremesinghe's camp a decisive edge over Rajapaksa.

Both Sirisena and Rajapaksa attempted to woo Tamil lawmakers in their speeches at the rally.

Speaking in the Tamil language, Rajapaksa promised to fulfill the Tamil people's needs.

"What I ask from all Tamil and (Tamil-speaking) Muslim people and their political parties is to help to build up our country. I trust you and you can always trust me," Rajapaksa said.

Ethnic minority Tamils in the country's north and east are still reeling from the effects of a 26-year civil war between Tamil Tiger separatists and government troops.

Rajapaksa is seen as a hero by the ethnic Sinhalese majority for winning the conflict.

Tens of thousands of civilians were reportedly killed in the final months of the war in 2009, when government troops brutally crushed the rebels. Thousands more are still missing.

Sirisena came into power in 2015 promising to address the issues affecting the Tamils and investigate allegations of war crimes against both sides of the conflict, but has done little in either area. He was also critical of investigations into military personnel accused of human rights violations during the civil war.

Tensions had been building between Sirisena and Wickremesinghe for some time, as the president did not approve of economic reforms introduced by the prime minister.

Sirisena said at the rally that he would not be discouraged by resistance in Parliament, civil society and the international community to his actions.

"Even if there are threats, pressure and forces, I will only move forward and will not take a step back," he said.

Thousands of Sri Lankans marched Monday in support of a new government led by the country's former strongman, highlighting the political polarization in the Indian Ocean island nation.

Thousands of Sri Lankans marched Monday in support of a new government led by the country's former strongman, highlighting the political polarization in the Indian Ocean island nation. The rally near Parliament came amid a constitutional crisis sparked by President Maithripala Sirisena's move to oust Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, replace him with ex-leader Mahinda Rajapaksa and suspend Parliament. Wickremesinghe has refused to vacate his official residence, insisting he is the lawful prime minister and that the president had no constitutional right to replace him. Thousands of his supporters have been keeping vigil. Supporters of Rajapaksa at the rally chanted "Whose power is this? Mahinda's power!" As patriotic songs blared over loudspeakers, thousands shuffled through heavy rain toward a makeshift stage. Police and Sri Lankan special forces with semi-automatic rifles stood guard. Pradeep Kariyawasam, the head of Rajapaksa's party in Colombo, said that although Wickremesinghe continues to maintain he is the country's legitimate leader, "the people are with us." "Give people a chance to choose their government and not hide behind constitutional interpretations," he said. Sirisena and Rajapaksa arrived at the rally amid loud cheers. Sirisena told the crowd that the change he initiated was more than a personnel shift. "I ousted a vision that is incompatible with our local culture and values, and that works according to foreign agendas," Sirisena said. "For the past 3 ? years, poor people were suppressed by Ranil Wickremesinghe's economic and political vision. Local thoughts were rejected and an extreme neo-liberal form of governance was carried out." He was referring to Wickremesinghe's free-market economic policies and public-private partnerships with companies from China and India to operate strategic centers such as ports and airports. Rajapaksa supporters have accused Wickremesinghe of selling Sri Lanka's assets, citing a 99-year lease agreement his government struck with Hong Kong conglomerate China Merchants Port Holdings Co Ltd last year to operate a failing port developed with Chinese debt during Rajapaksa's decadelong presidency. Critics of Sirisena's actions say Parliament was suspended to give Rajapaksa time to gather enough support to survive a no-confidence vote when lawmakers reconvene November 14. Parliament Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said on Monday that he won't recognize the new appointments until either side is able to prove it has a majority. It means that the speaker still recognizes a Wickremesinghe-led Parliament. "I wish to emphasize that I am compelled to accept the status that existed previously until such time that they (the pro-Wickremesinghe lawmakers) and the new political alliance prove their majority in Parliament," he said. The statement was fuel at Rajapaksa's five-hour rally. Lawmaker Susil Premjayantha told the crowd that electing a new speaker could be the first order of business when Parliament reopens, suggesting the party will bring a no-confidence motion against Jayasuriya. Wickremesinghe said in an interview with The Associated Press last week that there is credible evidence that Rajapaksa's party is attempting to buy support in Parliament. Palitha Range Bandara, a United National Party lawmaker, has said that he was offered millions of dollars and a minister portfolio if he crossed over. Lawmakers from Rajapaksa's party have denied the allegations. Seven members of Wickremesinghe's United National Front have defected to Rajapaksa's government. On Saturday, the Tamil National Alliance ? an ethnic minority Tamil party ? said it will support a no-confidence motion to be brought against Rajapaksa, after one lawmaker from their party joined Rajapaksa's government. The Tamil party's 15 votes could give Wickremesinghe's camp a decisive edge over Rajapaksa. Both Sirisena and Rajapaksa attempted to woo Tamil lawmakers in their speeches at the rally. Speaking in the Tamil language, Rajapaksa promised to fulfill the Tamil people's needs. "What I ask from all Tamil and (Tamil-speaking) Muslim people and their political parties is to help to build up our country. I trust you and you can always trust me," Rajapaksa said. Ethnic minority Tamils in the country's north and east are still reeling from the effects of a 26-year civil war between Tamil Tiger separatists and government troops. Rajapaksa is seen as a hero by the ethnic Sinhalese majority for winning the conflict. Tens of thousands of civilians were reportedly killed in the final months of the war in 2009, when government troops brutally crushed the rebels. Thousands more are still missing. Sirisena came into power in 2015 promising to address the issues affecting the Tamils and investigate allegations of war crimes against both sides of the conflict, but has done little in either area. He was also critical of investigations into military personnel accused of human rights violations during the civil war. Tensions had been building between Sirisena and Wickremesinghe for some time, as the president did not approve of economic reforms introduced by the prime minister. Sirisena said at the rally that he would not be discouraged by resistance in Parliament, civil society and the international community to his actions. "Even if there are threats, pressure and forces, I will only move forward and will not take a step back," he said.

Thousands march in support of Sri Lanka's new government

Sri Lanka's speaker of parliament said on Monday he would not accept a former president, Mahinda Rajapaksa, as the new prime minister until he proves he commands a majority in parliament.

President Maithripala Sirisena fired the sitting prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, on October 26 and appointed Rajapaksa in his place, drawing criticism from political parties and the international community.

"The majority of the members are of the view that the changes done in the parliament are unconstitutional and against the traditions," the speaker of parliament, Karu Jayasuriya, said in a statement.

"Therefore, I am requested by the majority of the parliament to accept the position which was prior to these changes. Until the new group shows the majority, I will have to accept the status quo prior to the changes."

Sri Lanka's speaker of parliament said on Monday he would not accept a former president, Mahinda Rajapaksa, as the new prime minister until he proves he commands a majority in parliament.

Sri Lanka's speaker of parliament said on Monday he would not accept a former president, Mahinda Rajapaksa, as the new prime minister until he proves he commands a majority in parliament. President Maithripala Sirisena fired the sitting prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, on October 26 and appointed Rajapaksa in his place, drawing criticism from political parties and the international community. "The majority of the members are of the view that the changes done in the parliament are unconstitutional and against the traditions," the speaker of parliament, Karu Jayasuriya, said in a statement. "Therefore, I am requested by the majority of the parliament to accept the position which was prior to these changes. Until the new group shows the majority, I will have to accept the status quo prior to the changes."

Sri Lanka speaker says he won't accept Rajapaksa as PM without majority support

Sri Lanka's speaker of parliament said on Monday he would not accept a former president Mahinda Rajapaksa as the new prime minister until he proves he commands a majority in parliament.

President Maithripala Sirisena fired the sitting prime minister <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sacked-sri-lankan-pms-residence-becomes-symbol-of-power-struggle-175415">Ranil Wickremesinghe</a> on October&nbsp;26 and appointed Rajapaksa in his place, drawing criticism from political parties and the international community.

"The majority of the members are of the view that the changes done in the parliament are unconstitutional and against the traditions," the speaker of parliament, Karu Jayasuriya, said in a statement.

"Therefore, I am requested by the majority of the parliament to accept the position which was prior to these changes. Until the new group shows the majority, I will have to accept the status quo prior to the changes."

<img alt="Lanka Speaker statement" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="135f3d4b-a676-4532-a2fc-38ecb77f2036" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Lanka-Speaker.jpg" />

(Speaker Karu Jayasuriya's statement in Tamil)

President Sirisena, who also suspended the country's parliament, has meanwhile <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/as-pressure-grows-sri-lanka-president-sirisena-summons-parliament-on-november-14-175551">ordered it to be reconvened</a> on November 14, clearing the way for a vote on his October 26 decision.

Wickremesinghe has called his dismissal "unconstitutional". His United National Party submitted a motion to that effect to parliament but Sirisena suspended its session until November 16, citing a need for Rajapaksa to make arrangements for the new government prevented the vote.

It was not clear if and when the 225-member parliament would vote on the UNP's motion that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-tamils-push-parliament-to-end-crisis-175433">Wickremesinghe's dismissal was illegal</a>.

Rajapaksa led Sri Lanka to a military defeat of Tamil separatist guerrillas in 2009 but has since faced widespread allegations of human rights abuse and targeting of Tamil civilians.

Wickremesinghe said earlier on Sunday that the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lankas-ousted-pm-says-us-japan-freeze-aid-over-political-crisis-175408">United States and Japan</a> had frozen more than a billion dollars of development aid after his abrupt dismissal raised doubts about the future of democracy in the island.

Sirisena's summons came after Wickremesinghe's UNP said on Friday that 118 lawmakers had met the Speaker to demand parliament be allowed to convene.

Before Wickremesinghe's dismissal, the UNP held 107 seats. Of those, eight have defected to support Rajapaksa. One out of 16 Tamil MPs also joined Rajapaksa.

Among the causes for the animosity between Wickremesinghe and Sirisena is Wickremesinghe's refusal to back the president's bid to stand in the next election in late 2019. Sirisena has also accused Wickremesinghe's government of not taking seriously an alleged assassination plot against him.

Sri Lanka's speaker of parliament said on Monday he would not accept a former president Mahinda Rajapaksa as the new prime minister until he proves he commands a majority in parliament.

Sri Lanka's speaker of parliament said on Monday he would not accept a former president Mahinda Rajapaksa as the new prime minister until he proves he commands a majority in parliament. President Maithripala Sirisena fired the sitting prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on October 26 and appointed Rajapaksa in his place, drawing criticism from political parties and the international community. "The majority of the members are of the view that the changes done in the parliament are unconstitutional and against the traditions," the speaker of parliament, Karu Jayasuriya, said in a statement. "Therefore, I am requested by the majority of the parliament to accept the position which was prior to these changes. Until the new group shows the majority, I will have to accept the status quo prior to the changes." (Speaker Karu Jayasuriya's statement in Tamil) President Sirisena, who also suspended the country's parliament, has meanwhile ordered it to be reconvened on November 14, clearing the way for a vote on his October 26 decision. Wickremesinghe has called his dismissal "unconstitutional". His United National Party submitted a motion to that effect to parliament but Sirisena suspended its session until November 16, citing a need for Rajapaksa to make arrangements for the new government prevented the vote. It was not clear if and when the 225-member parliament would vote on the UNP's motion that Wickremesinghe's dismissal was illegal. Rajapaksa led Sri Lanka to a military defeat of Tamil separatist guerrillas in 2009 but has since faced widespread allegations of human rights abuse and targeting of Tamil civilians. Wickremesinghe said earlier on Sunday that the United States and Japan had frozen more than a billion dollars of development aid after his abrupt dismissal raised doubts about the future of democracy in the island. Sirisena's summons came after Wickremesinghe's UNP said on Friday that 118 lawmakers had met the Speaker to demand parliament be allowed to convene. Before Wickremesinghe's dismissal, the UNP held 107 seats. Of those, eight have defected to support Rajapaksa. One out of 16 Tamil MPs also joined Rajapaksa. Among the causes for the animosity between Wickremesinghe and Sirisena is Wickremesinghe's refusal to back the president's bid to stand in the next election in late 2019. Sirisena has also accused Wickremesinghe's government of not taking seriously an alleged assassination plot against him.

Sri Lanka Speaker recognises Ranil Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA), a political alliance in Sri Lanka that represents the country`s Tamil minority, has decided to back the no-confidence motion brought by the United National Party against newly sworn-in Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

In a statement, the TNA on Saturday refused to recognise Rajapaksa as Sri Lanka`s new prime minister and denounced the sacking of former prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe as "unconstitutional and illegal".

The alliance added that the country`s President Maithripala Sirisena did not have the absolute power to remove a sitting premier from office, Colombo Page reported.

The TNA also condemned Sirisena`s move to suspend the Sri Lankan Parliament, amid the political turmoil in the island nation, terming it as "undemocratic" and violation of parliamentary supremacy.

Political turmoil erupted in Sri Lanka after Sirisena sacked Wickremesinghe on October 26 and replaced him with Rajapaksa following the collapse of the governing coalition between the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and UNP.

The island nation also witnessed massive protests when hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Colombo against the sacking of Wickremesinghe and demanded reconvening of Parliament to end the constitutional crisis.&nbsp;

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA), a political alliance in Sri Lanka that represents the country`s Tamil minority, has decided to back the no-confidence motion brought by the United National Party against newly sworn-in Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA), a political alliance in Sri Lanka that represents the country`s Tamil minority, has decided to back the no-confidence motion brought by the United National Party against newly sworn-in Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. In a statement, the TNA on Saturday refused to recognise Rajapaksa as Sri Lanka`s new prime minister and denounced the sacking of former prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe as "unconstitutional and illegal". The alliance added that the country`s President Maithripala Sirisena did not have the absolute power to remove a sitting premier from office, Colombo Page reported. The TNA also condemned Sirisena`s move to suspend the Sri Lankan Parliament, amid the political turmoil in the island nation, terming it as "undemocratic" and violation of parliamentary supremacy. Political turmoil erupted in Sri Lanka after Sirisena sacked Wickremesinghe on October 26 and replaced him with Rajapaksa following the collapse of the governing coalition between the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and UNP. The island nation also witnessed massive protests when hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Colombo against the sacking of Wickremesinghe and demanded reconvening of Parliament to end the constitutional crisis.

Sri Lanka: Tamil National Alliance to support no-trust motion against Rajapaksa

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa's legislator son Namal Sunday indicated that the long-held demand of the Tamil minority community to release all Tamil prisoners may be fulfilled soon, a move aimed at persuading the Tamil legislators to support Rajapaksa.

"President (Maithripala) Sirisena and Prime Minister Rajapaksa would make a decision (on the issue) very soon," Namal tweeted in Tamil language.

Since the war with the LTTE ended in 2009, the Sri Lankan government has denied that those imprisoned LTTE members are political prisoners. Tamils say some of the prisoners have been held over a long time under anti-terrorism law without even being formally charged.

Namal's comments are aimed at persuading the legislators in Sri Lanka's main Tamil party - Tamil National Alliance (TNA) - to switch their allegiance to Rajapaksa in his bid to prove majority in the parliament.

So far Rajapaksa has 100 MPs on his side while sacked prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has 103 MPs in the 225-member assembly. Most of the 22 remaining MPs, including the TNA, are likely to oppose Rajapaksa.&nbsp;

Rajapaksa camp had already enticed a TNA legislator to join ranks by giving him a deputy ministerial position.

The TNA's parliamentary strength has been reduced to 15 as a result and there was speculation that at least 4 more of them were willing to support Rajapaksa.

The TNA has said it will support a no-trust motion Rajapaksa, amid mounting pressure on President Sirisena to let the suspended parliament hold a vote to end the ongoing political crisis.

In a statement, the TNA Saturday said Rajapaksa's appointment was a violation of the Constitution's 19th amendment.

The alliance had "decided to vote in favour of the no-confidence motion against Rajapaksa," the statement said.

Rajapaksa claims he has enough numbers to prove his majority and at least six of Wickremasinghe's men have defected to his side. The current suspension of parliament by the president is seen as a key to Rajapaksa negotiating for enough defections.

Wickremesinghe was sacked by President Sirisena on October 26. His United National Party claims that Wickremesinghe's sacking was "unconstitutional and illegal". The president's move has plunged the country into a constitutional crisis with Wickremesinghe claiming he is still the prime minister.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa's legislator son Namal Sunday indicated that the long-held demand of the Tamil minority community to release all Tamil prisoners may be fulfilled soon, a move aimed at persuading the Tamil legislators to support Rajapaksa.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa's legislator son Namal Sunday indicated that the long-held demand of the Tamil minority community to release all Tamil prisoners may be fulfilled soon, a move aimed at persuading the Tamil legislators to support Rajapaksa. "President (Maithripala) Sirisena and Prime Minister Rajapaksa would make a decision (on the issue) very soon," Namal tweeted in Tamil language. Since the war with the LTTE ended in 2009, the Sri Lankan government has denied that those imprisoned LTTE members are political prisoners. Tamils say some of the prisoners have been held over a long time under anti-terrorism law without even being formally charged. Namal's comments are aimed at persuading the legislators in Sri Lanka's main Tamil party - Tamil National Alliance (TNA) - to switch their allegiance to Rajapaksa in his bid to prove majority in the parliament. So far Rajapaksa has 100 MPs on his side while sacked prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has 103 MPs in the 225-member assembly. Most of the 22 remaining MPs, including the TNA, are likely to oppose Rajapaksa. Rajapaksa camp had already enticed a TNA legislator to join ranks by giving him a deputy ministerial position. The TNA's parliamentary strength has been reduced to 15 as a result and there was speculation that at least 4 more of them were willing to support Rajapaksa. The TNA has said it will support a no-trust motion Rajapaksa, amid mounting pressure on President Sirisena to let the suspended parliament hold a vote to end the ongoing political crisis. In a statement, the TNA Saturday said Rajapaksa's appointment was a violation of the Constitution's 19th amendment. The alliance had "decided to vote in favour of the no-confidence motion against Rajapaksa," the statement said. Rajapaksa claims he has enough numbers to prove his majority and at least six of Wickremasinghe's men have defected to his side. The current suspension of parliament by the president is seen as a key to Rajapaksa negotiating for enough defections. Wickremesinghe was sacked by President Sirisena on October 26. His United National Party claims that Wickremesinghe's sacking was "unconstitutional and illegal". The president's move has plunged the country into a constitutional crisis with Wickremesinghe claiming he is still the prime minister.

Tamil prisoners may be released to tilt scales in favour of Rajapaksa

In a boost for newly-appointed Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, a lawmaker from the main Tamil party defected to the premier's side and was made a minister on Friday even as President Maithripala Sirisena agreed to summon Parliament on November 7 for a floor test to end the political turmoil.

Rajapaksa claims he now has enough numbers to prove his majority and at least five of ousted premier Ranil Wickremasinghe's men have defected to his side.

The current suspension of Parliament is seen as key to Rajapaksa negotiating for enough defections.

Rajapaksa was further bolstered by the defection of TNA MP S Vilenthiriyan from the eastern district of Batticaloa, who was made the deputy minister of eastern development.&nbsp;

Wickremasinghe's United National Party said they have handed over a motion of no confidence against new Prime Minister Rajapaksa.

Senior UNP member Lakshman Kiriella said Secretary General of Parliament was informed of the motion.

The Rajapaksa-Sirisena combine has 96 MPs in the 225-member assembly, which is 17 short of the 113 required working majority.

Meanwhile, Parliament Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said that Sirisena has agreed to summon the legislature on November 7, in a fresh twist to the ongoing political crisis after former strongman Rajapaksa replaced Wickremesinghe as prime minister.

There was confusion since Thursday on the date when the parliamentary deadlock would end as Sirisena had suspended the sittings until November 16.

In a boost for newly-appointed Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, a lawmaker from the main Tamil party defected to the premier's side and was made a minister on Friday even as President Maithripala Sirisena agreed to summon Parliament on November 7 for a floor test to end the political turmoil.

In a boost for newly-appointed Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, a lawmaker from the main Tamil party defected to the premier's side and was made a minister on Friday even as President Maithripala Sirisena agreed to summon Parliament on November 7 for a floor test to end the political turmoil. Rajapaksa claims he now has enough numbers to prove his majority and at least five of ousted premier Ranil Wickremasinghe's men have defected to his side. The current suspension of Parliament is seen as key to Rajapaksa negotiating for enough defections. Rajapaksa was further bolstered by the defection of TNA MP S Vilenthiriyan from the eastern district of Batticaloa, who was made the deputy minister of eastern development. Wickremasinghe's United National Party said they have handed over a motion of no confidence against new Prime Minister Rajapaksa. Senior UNP member Lakshman Kiriella said Secretary General of Parliament was informed of the motion. The Rajapaksa-Sirisena combine has 96 MPs in the 225-member assembly, which is 17 short of the 113 required working majority. Meanwhile, Parliament Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said that Sirisena has agreed to summon the legislature on November 7, in a fresh twist to the ongoing political crisis after former strongman Rajapaksa replaced Wickremesinghe as prime minister. There was confusion since Thursday on the date when the parliamentary deadlock would end as Sirisena had suspended the sittings until November 16.

Rajapaksa poaches Tamil MP ahead of crucial trust vote on November 7 

Sri Lanka's main Tamil party - Tamil National Alliance - Saturday said it will support a no-trust motion against newly appointed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, amid mounting pressure on President Maithripala Sirisena to let the suspended parliament hold a vote to end the political crisis.

Rajapaksa claims he has enough numbers to prove his majority and at least six of ousted premier Ranil Wickremasinghe's men have defected to his side.

The current suspension of parliament by the president is seen as a key to Rajapaksa negotiating for enough defections.

Wickremesinghe was sacked by President Sirisena on October 26. His United National Party claims that Wickremesinghe's sacking was "unconstitutional and illegal". The president's move has plunged the country into a constitutional crisis with Wickremesinghe claiming he is still the prime minister.

In a statement, the Tamil National Alliance said Rajapaksa's appointment was a violation of the Constitution's 19th amendment.

The alliance had "decided to vote in favour of the no-confidence motion against Rajapaksa," the statement added.

S Vilenthiriyan, one of the TNA legislators from the eastern province, has extended his support to Rajapaksa. He was made a deputy minister. At least 4 more of the TNA's 16 MPs are believed to be to joining Rajapaksa.

Wickremesinghe's United National Party said they have handed over a motion of no-confidence against Rajapaksa. His call for a floor test in parliament has been ignored by Sirisena who has suspended parliament until November 16.

Sirisena has been sending conflicting signals about his willingness to end the parliamentary suspension.

Parliament Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has come under pressure from a majority of legislators to reconvene parliament. But Sirisena's suspension order leaves him with no option but to seek the consent of the president to recall the assembly.

The suspension is aimed at helping Rajapaksa gain parliamentary majority by engineering defections from Wickremesinghe's party and other allied parties to build the 113 seats required for the majority, experts said.

Some of the legislators have claimed that huge amounts are being offered to them to defect.

Palitha Range Bandara, a legislator of Wickremesinghe's party, has said he was offered $2.8 million to extend support to Rajapaksa's bid to prove his majority.

"I was asked to make a step forward to become a cabinet minister," Bandara told reporters as he played a voice recording of a conversation he allegedly had with a Sirisena loyalist, who told him that he would be rewarded with a Cabinet position.

Bandara also said that he was possessing a telephone recording of a conversation with "a very powerful person".

"I have a recording of a conversation with a VVIP which I will play very soon," Bandara said.

So far Wickremesinghe has 103 MPs while Rajapaksa has 100 in the 225-member assembly. Most of the 22 remaining MPs, including the TNA, are likely to oppose Rajapaksa, experts said.

The UNP said that Sirisena's people were "shamelessly trying to buy our MPs over to secure this unconstitutional and illegal seizure of power. The police must take action immediately".

Wickremesinghe has refused to accept his dismissal, claiming to be the country's legitimate premier. He argues that he cannot legally be removed until he loses the support of Parliament and called for a floor test to prove his majority.

On Tuesday, angry protests rocked Sri Lanka's capital as thousands of demonstrators gathered for a rally organised by Wickremesinghe's party against what it said was a "coup" by President Sirisena.&nbsp;

Sri Lanka's main Tamil party - Tamil National Alliance - Saturday said it will support a no-trust motion against newly appointed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, amid mounting pressure on President Maithripala Sirisena to let the suspended parliament hold a vote to end the political crisis.

Sri Lanka's main Tamil party - Tamil National Alliance - Saturday said it will support a no-trust motion against newly appointed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, amid mounting pressure on President Maithripala Sirisena to let the suspended parliament hold a vote to end the political crisis. Rajapaksa claims he has enough numbers to prove his majority and at least six of ousted premier Ranil Wickremasinghe's men have defected to his side. The current suspension of parliament by the president is seen as a key to Rajapaksa negotiating for enough defections. Wickremesinghe was sacked by President Sirisena on October 26. His United National Party claims that Wickremesinghe's sacking was "unconstitutional and illegal". The president's move has plunged the country into a constitutional crisis with Wickremesinghe claiming he is still the prime minister. In a statement, the Tamil National Alliance said Rajapaksa's appointment was a violation of the Constitution's 19th amendment. The alliance had "decided to vote in favour of the no-confidence motion against Rajapaksa," the statement added. S Vilenthiriyan, one of the TNA legislators from the eastern province, has extended his support to Rajapaksa. He was made a deputy minister. At least 4 more of the TNA's 16 MPs are believed to be to joining Rajapaksa. Wickremesinghe's United National Party said they have handed over a motion of no-confidence against Rajapaksa. His call for a floor test in parliament has been ignored by Sirisena who has suspended parliament until November 16. Sirisena has been sending conflicting signals about his willingness to end the parliamentary suspension. Parliament Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has come under pressure from a majority of legislators to reconvene parliament. But Sirisena's suspension order leaves him with no option but to seek the consent of the president to recall the assembly. The suspension is aimed at helping Rajapaksa gain parliamentary majority by engineering defections from Wickremesinghe's party and other allied parties to build the 113 seats required for the majority, experts said. Some of the legislators have claimed that huge amounts are being offered to them to defect. Palitha Range Bandara, a legislator of Wickremesinghe's party, has said he was offered $2.8 million to extend support to Rajapaksa's bid to prove his majority. "I was asked to make a step forward to become a cabinet minister," Bandara told reporters as he played a voice recording of a conversation he allegedly had with a Sirisena loyalist, who told him that he would be rewarded with a Cabinet position. Bandara also said that he was possessing a telephone recording of a conversation with "a very powerful person". "I have a recording of a conversation with a VVIP which I will play very soon," Bandara said. So far Wickremesinghe has 103 MPs while Rajapaksa has 100 in the 225-member assembly. Most of the 22 remaining MPs, including the TNA, are likely to oppose Rajapaksa, experts said. The UNP said that Sirisena's people were "shamelessly trying to buy our MPs over to secure this unconstitutional and illegal seizure of power. The police must take action immediately". Wickremesinghe has refused to accept his dismissal, claiming to be the country's legitimate premier. He argues that he cannot legally be removed until he loses the support of Parliament and called for a floor test to prove his majority. On Tuesday, angry protests rocked Sri Lanka's capital as thousands of demonstrators gathered for a rally organised by Wickremesinghe's party against what it said was a "coup" by President Sirisena.

Sri Lanka's main Tamil party to support no-trust motion against Rajapaksa

Sri Lanka's president plans to call a session of parliament on Monday, the new prime minister said, a move that could help resolve a political crisis after the abrupt dismissal of his predecessor.

Maithripala Sirisena named Mahinda Rajapaksa as prime minister last week after sacking the unity government of Ranil Wickremesinghe, prompting protests and a demand for parliament to be called, to allow lawmakers to choose their leader.

The return of Rajapaksa, a former president who crushed a decades-old Tamil insurgency, has stoked fears of fresh political and ethnic division in the island nation of 21 million mostly Sinhalese Buddhists, with Tamil and Muslim minorities.

Wickremesinghe has called his removal unconstitutional and has demanded he be allowed to prove his parliamentary majority.

"The president has decided to reconvene parliament on the 5th," Rajapaksa said during a meeting at the prime minister's office on Thursday.

There was no immediate word from Sirisena's office on convening parliament.

Earlier, Sirisena had prorogued parliament until November 16, but political parties and foreign powers led by the United States and the EU urged an early session to resolve the crisis.

Political parties and diplomats say continuing uncertainty continues could fuel attempts by claimants to lure lawmakers with money and ministerial positions.

Parliament Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, who has also warned of unrest in the streets if parliament was not called quickly, met Sirisena on Wednesday to persuade him to call an early session.

Since Sri Lanka was plunged into political crisis, its rupee currency has hit record lows, compounded by worries over a slowing economy. It stood at 173.70 to the dollar on Thursday, gaining slightly from dollar sales by the central bank, traders said.

"The political turmoil is putting downward pressure on the rupee," Capital Economics said in a note. "If the currency continues to weaken, the central bank may be forced to hike interest rates, which would further weigh on growth prospects."

Sri Lanka’s foreign currency debt, which is equivalent to about half its total debt, also makes it vulnerable to sudden currency falls, it added.

China is a top creditor, offering loans in return for control of seaports and other infrastructure it is building in the country that lies along key shipping routes, as part of its Belt and Road initiative.

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The people's voices have been heard. Parliament will be reconvened on the 5th of November. Democracy will prevail.
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Sri Lanka's president plans to call a session of parliament on Monday, the new prime minister said, a move that could help resolve a political crisis after the abrupt dismissal of his predecessor.

Sri Lanka's president plans to call a session of parliament on Monday, the new prime minister said, a move that could help resolve a political crisis after the abrupt dismissal of his predecessor. Maithripala Sirisena named Mahinda Rajapaksa as prime minister last week after sacking the unity government of Ranil Wickremesinghe, prompting protests and a demand for parliament to be called, to allow lawmakers to choose their leader. The return of Rajapaksa, a former president who crushed a decades-old Tamil insurgency, has stoked fears of fresh political and ethnic division in the island nation of 21 million mostly Sinhalese Buddhists, with Tamil and Muslim minorities. Wickremesinghe has called his removal unconstitutional and has demanded he be allowed to prove his parliamentary majority. "The president has decided to reconvene parliament on the 5th," Rajapaksa said during a meeting at the prime minister's office on Thursday. There was no immediate word from Sirisena's office on convening parliament. Earlier, Sirisena had prorogued parliament until November 16, but political parties and foreign powers led by the United States and the EU urged an early session to resolve the crisis. Political parties and diplomats say continuing uncertainty continues could fuel attempts by claimants to lure lawmakers with money and ministerial positions. Parliament Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, who has also warned of unrest in the streets if parliament was not called quickly, met Sirisena on Wednesday to persuade him to call an early session. Since Sri Lanka was plunged into political crisis, its rupee currency has hit record lows, compounded by worries over a slowing economy. It stood at 173.70 to the dollar on Thursday, gaining slightly from dollar sales by the central bank, traders said. "The political turmoil is putting downward pressure on the rupee," Capital Economics said in a note. "If the currency continues to weaken, the central bank may be forced to hike interest rates, which would further weigh on growth prospects." Sri Lanka’s foreign currency debt, which is equivalent to about half its total debt, also makes it vulnerable to sudden currency falls, it added. China is a top creditor, offering loans in return for control of seaports and other infrastructure it is building in the country that lies along key shipping routes, as part of its Belt and Road initiative. The people's voices have been heard. Parliament will be reconvened on the 5th of November. Democracy will prevail. — Ranil Wickremesinghe (@RW_UNP) November 1, 2018 ×

Rajapaksa says president will reconvene parliament on November 5

Mahindra Rajapaksa who took over as prime minister of Sri Lanka said there was a plot to assassinate the president and former defence secretary.

The UNP was engaged in a quest to sell off valuable state assets and enterprises to foreign companies, Rajapaksa said in a press release after coming to power.

The newly-appointed prime minister of the emerald country lamented the fall of the rupee and the deteriorating economy.

Our country has been downgraded by the credit rating agencies, the people are oppressed by the ever-rising cost of living, he said.

"We will eschew politics of hate and will set up an interim government that will protect human rights of all citizens and protect the independence of the judiciary."

"I also invite the people of all communities and religion - Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Buddhist, Hindus, Christians and followers of Islam to participate in this political exercise," he said.

Rajapaksa said the UNP-UPFA government came to an end as a result of UPFA leaving the coalition. He blamed the UNP government for doubling of interest rates.

The former president requested party leaders and parliamentarians to join the electoral process for the upcoming provincial council elections.

 
&nbsp;

Mahindra Rajapaksa who took over as prime minister of Sri Lanka said there was a plot to assassinate the president and former defence secretary. The UNP was engaged in a quest to sell off valuable state assets and enterprises to foreign companies, Rajapaksa said in a press release after coming to power.

Mahindra Rajapaksa who took over as prime minister of Sri Lanka said there was a plot to assassinate the president and former defence secretary. The UNP was engaged in a quest to sell off valuable state assets and enterprises to foreign companies, Rajapaksa said in a press release after coming to power. The newly-appointed prime minister of the emerald country lamented the fall of the rupee and the deteriorating economy. Our country has been downgraded by the credit rating agencies, the people are oppressed by the ever-rising cost of living, he said. "We will eschew politics of hate and will set up an interim government that will protect human rights of all citizens and protect the independence of the judiciary." "I also invite the people of all communities and religion - Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Buddhist, Hindus, Christians and followers of Islam to participate in this political exercise," he said. Rajapaksa said the UNP-UPFA government came to an end as a result of UPFA leaving the coalition. He blamed the UNP government for doubling of interest rates. The former president requested party leaders and parliamentarians to join the electoral process for the upcoming provincial council elections.

There was plot to assassinate president, ex-defence secretary: PM Rajapaksa

India, caught flatfooted by the appointment of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-crisis-rajapaksa-camp-says-will-seize-pm-home-office-if-wickremesinghe-does-not-resign-today-173930">Mahinda Rajapaksa</a> as Sri Lanka's premier, has opened urgent diplomatic and political contacts with the strongman who drew close to China during his previous tenure as president, officials said.

The tear-shaped island, located off the southern tip of India, has become an arena of tussle between New Delhi and Beijing, which has built ports, power stations and highways as part of its Belt and Road Initiative of trade and transport links across Asia.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/newly-appointed-sri-lankan-cabinet-sworn-in-174301">Newly-appointed Sri Lankan cabinet sworn in</a>

Rajapaksa had opened up Sri Lanka's main port to Chinese naval submarines when he was president, which stoked anger in India. His return to power in a surprise move by current President Maithripala Sirisena has drawn concern in New Delhi that China would tighten its grip on the island that lies along busy shipping lanes.

"It is advantage China at the moment," said Srikanth Kondappali, a specialist on India-China ties at New Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru University who closely tracks the regional rivalry between the Asian giants.

He said Beijing had invested in Rajapaksa and in his political constituency of Hambantota in the south of Sri Lanka where it has built a $1.5 billion deep water port, an airport and also planned an industrial zone.

China's ambassador to Sri Lanka, Cheng Xueyuan, was among the first diplomats to meet Rajapaksa soon after he was sworn in as prime minister and he presented a congratulatory message from Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang.

Sirisena sacked Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday and named Rajapaksa to replace him, breaking up a fragile coalition governing the island.

Wickremesinghe, who was seen as pro-India, said his sacking was illegal and he has maintained that he is still prime minister and had majority support in parliament.

Sri Lanka is one of a chain of countries where the India-China rivalry is playing out, stretching from Bangladesh, Nepal to the Maldives, where a pro-China leader was voted out in a surprise election result last month that was welcomed by India, the United States and the European Union.

Indian diplomats were in contact with Rajapaksa's camp, officials in New Delhi said, adding they were ready to do business with the new leader so long as his appointment was in line with the country's constitution.

"India will continue to extend our developmental assistance to the people of Sri Lanka," an Indian foreign ministry spokesman said on Monday.

Separately, leaders of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the ideological parent of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's governing Hindu nationalist-led alliance, have reached out to Rajapaksa to promote ties, party sources said.

PREDATORY

Seshadri Chari, an RSS leader involved in the track two diplomacy, said he was confident New Delhi and Colombo will work for better relations under the new leadership in Sri Lanka.

"In the changed geo-political realities, we have to be practical and pragmatic to protect our national self-interest and do better business," he said. The RSS wields influence in the Modi administration and has acted as an unofficial intermediary with some neighbouring countries.

China has in recent years faced criticism that many of its investments in Sri Lanka, the Maldives and other countries run the risk of driving smaller nations into debt and potentially impinge on their sovereignty.

"We are seeing an international pushback against China's predatory practices. It can only intensify and in that backdrop it's hard to see Sri Lanka doling out more projects even under Rajapaksa," said an Indian government source.

China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said Beijing believes the people and government of Sri Lanka have the wisdom to "appropriately handle" the situation, and China hopes all sides can resolve differences via dialogue, to protect the country's stability.

Harinda Vidanage, director of the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies, a thinktank in Colombo, said Sri Lanka had become a greater strategic prize after the pro-China president of the Maldives, Abdulla Yameen, lost the election.

"For China, both Sri Lanka and Maldives were very important in their effort to gain a foothold in the Indian Ocean. China to certain extent lost the Maldivian connection when Yameen lost the elections," he said.

Shailesh Kumar, Asia director at the Eurasia group, said the changes in Sri Lanka would benefit China.

"While Beijing lost a pro-Chinese government earlier this month in the Maldives, it will make up ground in South Asia with the change of guard in Sri Lanka," he said, adding that it came as Sri Lanka's economy was in financial difficulties.

"The decision to bring Rajapaksa back into the mainstream is likely intended to open the flow of Chinese funds, given the close relationship he cultivated with the Chinese leadership."

India, caught flatfooted by the appointment of Mahinda Rajapaksa as Sri Lanka's premier, has opened urgent diplomatic and political contacts with the strongman who drew close to China during his previous tenure as president, officials said.

India, caught flatfooted by the appointment of Mahinda Rajapaksa as Sri Lanka's premier, has opened urgent diplomatic and political contacts with the strongman who drew close to China during his previous tenure as president, officials said. The tear-shaped island, located off the southern tip of India, has become an arena of tussle between New Delhi and Beijing, which has built ports, power stations and highways as part of its Belt and Road Initiative of trade and transport links across Asia. Also read: Newly-appointed Sri Lankan cabinet sworn in Rajapaksa had opened up Sri Lanka's main port to Chinese naval submarines when he was president, which stoked anger in India. His return to power in a surprise move by current President Maithripala Sirisena has drawn concern in New Delhi that China would tighten its grip on the island that lies along busy shipping lanes. "It is advantage China at the moment," said Srikanth Kondappali, a specialist on India-China ties at New Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru University who closely tracks the regional rivalry between the Asian giants. He said Beijing had invested in Rajapaksa and in his political constituency of Hambantota in the south of Sri Lanka where it has built a $1.5 billion deep water port, an airport and also planned an industrial zone. China's ambassador to Sri Lanka, Cheng Xueyuan, was among the first diplomats to meet Rajapaksa soon after he was sworn in as prime minister and he presented a congratulatory message from Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang. Sirisena sacked Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday and named Rajapaksa to replace him, breaking up a fragile coalition governing the island. Wickremesinghe, who was seen as pro-India, said his sacking was illegal and he has maintained that he is still prime minister and had majority support in parliament. Sri Lanka is one of a chain of countries where the India-China rivalry is playing out, stretching from Bangladesh, Nepal to the Maldives, where a pro-China leader was voted out in a surprise election result last month that was welcomed by India, the United States and the European Union. Indian diplomats were in contact with Rajapaksa's camp, officials in New Delhi said, adding they were ready to do business with the new leader so long as his appointment was in line with the country's constitution. "India will continue to extend our developmental assistance to the people of Sri Lanka," an Indian foreign ministry spokesman said on Monday. Separately, leaders of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the ideological parent of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's governing Hindu nationalist-led alliance, have reached out to Rajapaksa to promote ties, party sources said. PREDATORY Seshadri Chari, an RSS leader involved in the track two diplomacy, said he was confident New Delhi and Colombo will work for better relations under the new leadership in Sri Lanka. "In the changed geo-political realities, we have to be practical and pragmatic to protect our national self-interest and do better business," he said. The RSS wields influence in the Modi administration and has acted as an unofficial intermediary with some neighbouring countries. China has in recent years faced criticism that many of its investments in Sri Lanka, the Maldives and other countries run the risk of driving smaller nations into debt and potentially impinge on their sovereignty. "We are seeing an international pushback against China's predatory practices. It can only intensify and in that backdrop it's hard to see Sri Lanka doling out more projects even under Rajapaksa," said an Indian government source. China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said Beijing believes the people and government of Sri Lanka have the wisdom to "appropriately handle" the situation, and China hopes all sides can resolve differences via dialogue, to protect the country's stability. Harinda Vidanage, director of the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies, a thinktank in Colombo, said Sri Lanka had become a greater strategic prize after the pro-China president of the Maldives, Abdulla Yameen, lost the election. "For China, both Sri Lanka and Maldives were very important in their effort to gain a foothold in the Indian Ocean. China to certain extent lost the Maldivian connection when Yameen lost the elections," he said. Shailesh Kumar, Asia director at the Eurasia group, said the changes in Sri Lanka would benefit China. "While Beijing lost a pro-Chinese government earlier this month in the Maldives, it will make up ground in South Asia with the change of guard in Sri Lanka," he said, adding that it came as Sri Lanka's economy was in financial difficulties. "The decision to bring Rajapaksa back into the mainstream is likely intended to open the flow of Chinese funds, given the close relationship he cultivated with the Chinese leadership."

As Rajapaksa takes over as Sri Lanka PM, India scrambles to claw back ground from China

Newly-appointed Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa`s cabinet was on Monday sworn in amid increasing pressure on President Maithripala Sirisena to convene an early session of the Parliament.

The Finance Ministry has remained with Rajapaksa with Sarath Amunguma being appointed as the new foreign minister of the island nation.

Additionally, a number of ministers who supported Sirisena during the previous cabinet have retained their portfolios.

Meanwhile, claiming his majority support in the Parliament, former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe demanded the convening of the Parliament at the earliest, calling upon his supporters to gather in Colombo tomorrow to protest his ousting.

126 lawmakers out of the total 225-member Parliament have signed a petition, urging the speaker to call an emergency session of the Parliament. &nbsp;The speaker issued a warning, stating that the country`s political turmoil could turn violent if an early parliamentary session is not convened.

Police arrested Member of Parliament Arjuna Ranatunga in connection with the shooting incident in Colombo which claimed the life of one person, injuring two others. The former Cricket World Cup winning captain was later granted bail.

Political turmoil erupted in&nbsp;Sri Lanka&nbsp;after Sirisena sacked Wickremesinghe on Friday night and replaced him with his predecessor Mahinda Rajapaksa following the collapse of the governing coalition between&nbsp;Sri Lanka&nbsp;Freedom Party (SLFP) and United National Party (UNP).

Newly-appointed Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa`s cabinet was on Monday sworn in amid increasing pressure on President Maithripala Sirisena to convene an early session of the Parliament.

Newly-appointed Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa`s cabinet was on Monday sworn in amid increasing pressure on President Maithripala Sirisena to convene an early session of the Parliament. The Finance Ministry has remained with Rajapaksa with Sarath Amunguma being appointed as the new foreign minister of the island nation. Additionally, a number of ministers who supported Sirisena during the previous cabinet have retained their portfolios. Meanwhile, claiming his majority support in the Parliament, former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe demanded the convening of the Parliament at the earliest, calling upon his supporters to gather in Colombo tomorrow to protest his ousting. 126 lawmakers out of the total 225-member Parliament have signed a petition, urging the speaker to call an emergency session of the Parliament. The speaker issued a warning, stating that the country`s political turmoil could turn violent if an early parliamentary session is not convened. Police arrested Member of Parliament Arjuna Ranatunga in connection with the shooting incident in Colombo which claimed the life of one person, injuring two others. The former Cricket World Cup winning captain was later granted bail. Political turmoil erupted in Sri Lanka after Sirisena sacked Wickremesinghe on Friday night and replaced him with his predecessor Mahinda Rajapaksa following the collapse of the governing coalition between Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and United National Party (UNP).

Newly appointed Sri Lankan cabinet sworn in

The US State Department on Sunday called on Sri Lanka's president to "immediately reconvene parliament" to allow representatives there to quell a violent constitutional crisis sparked by the prime minister's sudden sacking.

"We&nbsp;urge all sides to refrain from intimidation and&nbsp;violence," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement.&nbsp;

"We call on the President, in consultation with the Speaker, to immediately&nbsp;reconvene parliament and allow the democratically elected representatives of the Sri Lankan people to fulfill their responsibility to affirm who will lead their government."

President Maithripala Sirisena fired Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday and installed a former strongman as the new prime minister, triggering political chaos in the Indian Ocean nation.

Police said one man was killed and two people were injured &nbsp;Sunday when bodyguards for Petroleum Minister Arjuna Ranatunga, a Wickremesinghe loyalist, fired live rounds as a mob allied to the president threatened the cabinet member.

Wickremesinghe has refused to vacate the prime minister's official residence since being controversially deposed, declaring his dismissal illegal and demanding an emergency session of parliament to prove he still commands a majority.

The US State Department on Sunday called on Sri Lanka's president to "immediately reconvene parliament" to allow representatives there to quell a violent constitutional crisis sparked by the prime minister's sudden sacking.

The US State Department on Sunday called on Sri Lanka's president to "immediately reconvene parliament" to allow representatives there to quell a violent constitutional crisis sparked by the prime minister's sudden sacking. "We urge all sides to refrain from intimidation and violence," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement. "We call on the President, in consultation with the Speaker, to immediately reconvene parliament and allow the democratically elected representatives of the Sri Lankan people to fulfill their responsibility to affirm who will lead their government." President Maithripala Sirisena fired Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday and installed a former strongman as the new prime minister, triggering political chaos in the Indian Ocean nation. Police said one man was killed and two people were injured Sunday when bodyguards for Petroleum Minister Arjuna Ranatunga, a Wickremesinghe loyalist, fired live rounds as a mob allied to the president threatened the cabinet member. Wickremesinghe has refused to vacate the prime minister's official residence since being controversially deposed, declaring his dismissal illegal and demanding an emergency session of parliament to prove he still commands a majority.

US urges Sri Lanka president to 'immediately reconvene parliament'

Former sports minister of Sri Lanka, Mahindadanda Aluthgamage got arrested on Monday by Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FICD)&nbspfor alleged financial fraud of Rupees 39 million, four years ago.

He charged for misappropriating government funds to buy sports goods of Carrom and Checkerboards during his tenure of previous government.

Today he was produced before the court&nbspbut was later released after he was granted bail. He also recorded his statement in FCID office in Colombo.&nbsp

However, the allegations have been denied by the minister as he accused current president Maithripala Sirisena led unity government to engage in n political witch-hunt.

The opposition of the country has also supported Aluthgamage's claims as they alleged FCID of the Sri Lanka police has been set up for a political witch-hunt of the Rajapaksa-led opposition group and is ''illegal''.&nbsp

In 2015 Rajapaksa lost the presidency since then his family members and his close allies are facing corruption charges.

He has also sought court intervention to prevent his arrest. However, the appeal got rejected.

Aluthgamage had also been arrested in 2016 over money laundering allegations.&nbsp

Last week, six Sri Lanka Freedom Party ministers had resigned from Sirisena-led unity government, days after they voted in favour of a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

In a surprise move, following the resignations, Sirisena suspended Parliament for nearly a month.

(With inputs from PTI)

Former sports minister of Sri Lanka, Mahindadanda Aluthgamage got arrested on Monday by Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FICD) for alleged financial fraud of Rupees 39 million, four years ago

Former sports minister of Sri Lanka, Mahindadanda Aluthgamage got arrested on Monday by Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FICD)&nbspfor alleged financial fraud of Rupees 39 million, four years ago. He charged for misappropriating government funds to buy sports goods of Carrom and Checkerboards during his tenure of previous government. Today he was produced before the court&nbspbut was later released after he was granted bail. He also recorded his statement in FCID office in Colombo. However, the allegations have been denied by the minister as he accused current president Maithripala Sirisena led unity government to engage in n political witch-hunt. The opposition of the country has also supported Aluthgamage's claims as they alleged FCID of the Sri Lanka police has been set up for a political witch-hunt of the Rajapaksa-led opposition group and is ''illegal''. In 2015 Rajapaksa lost the presidency since then his family members and his close allies are facing corruption charges. He has also sought court intervention to prevent his arrest. However, the appeal got rejected. Aluthgamage had also been arrested in 2016 over money laundering allegations. Last week, six Sri Lanka Freedom Party ministers had resigned from Sirisena-led unity government, days after they voted in favour of a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. In a surprise move, following the resignations, Sirisena suspended Parliament for nearly a month. (With inputs from PTI)

Ex-Sports Minister Mahindadanda Aluthgamage arrested for alleged fraud of 39 million

Sri Lanka's former president Mahinda Rajapaksa has expressed hope that incumbent Maithripala Sirisena - who was responsible for his ouster in 2015 - will support a no-confidence motion backed by the Joint Opposition against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

The motion scheduled for April 4 was handed over to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya by the Joint Opposition last week against Wickremesinghe, accusing him of financial mismanagement and failing to tackle anti-Muslim riots early this month in the central Kandy district.

"It is now up to the President (Sirisena) to ensure the victory of the motion by getting his SLFP members to support it," Rajapaksa told reporters.

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) which is part of the unity government with Wickremesinghe is yet to decide on the way they will vote on the motion.

Wickremesinghe, 68, had resisted a call from Sirisena to resign following a crushing defeat to Rajapaksa's new party Sri Lanka People's Front in the February 10 local election.

It is no secret that Sirisena wants Wickremesinghe's ouster so that he could replace him with his own choice.

Wickremesinghe was recently replaced as law and order minister after clashes erupted in the Kandy district. Last week, the president also removed key institutions, including the Central Bank, from the control of Wickremesinghe.

Sirisena in 2015 quit the Rajapaksa government to join hands with Wickremesinghe, the then main opposition leader, to defeat Rajapaksa in the presidential election ending his 10-year rule.

Rajapaksa said if Wickremesinghe were to be defeated in the motion on April 4, the Joint Opposition would press Sirisena to dissolve parliament to hold a fresh election for parliament.

Constitutionally, the current parliament could not be dissolved before February 2020. It requires a motion adopted with 2/3rds in the 225 member assembly to call for snap elections.

Rajapaksa is constitutionally barred from contesting for the presidential election for a third time. However, he can become the prime minister.

The motion scheduled for April 4 was handed over to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya by the Joint Opposition last week against Wickremesinghe

Sri Lanka's former president Mahinda Rajapaksa has expressed hope that incumbent Maithripala Sirisena - who was responsible for his ouster in 2015 - will support a no-confidence motion backed by the Joint Opposition against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. The motion scheduled for April 4 was handed over to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya by the Joint Opposition last week against Wickremesinghe, accusing him of financial mismanagement and failing to tackle anti-Muslim riots early this month in the central Kandy district. "It is now up to the President (Sirisena) to ensure the victory of the motion by getting his SLFP members to support it," Rajapaksa told reporters. The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) which is part of the unity government with Wickremesinghe is yet to decide on the way they will vote on the motion. Wickremesinghe, 68, had resisted a call from Sirisena to resign following a crushing defeat to Rajapaksa's new party Sri Lanka People's Front in the February 10 local election. It is no secret that Sirisena wants Wickremesinghe's ouster so that he could replace him with his own choice. Wickremesinghe was recently replaced as law and order minister after clashes erupted in the Kandy district. Last week, the president also removed key institutions, including the Central Bank, from the control of Wickremesinghe. Sirisena in 2015 quit the Rajapaksa government to join hands with Wickremesinghe, the then main opposition leader, to defeat Rajapaksa in the presidential election ending his 10-year rule. Rajapaksa said if Wickremesinghe were to be defeated in the motion on April 4, the Joint Opposition would press Sirisena to dissolve parliament to hold a fresh election for parliament. Constitutionally, the current parliament could not be dissolved before February 2020. It requires a motion adopted with 2/3rds in the 225 member assembly to call for snap elections. Rajapaksa is constitutionally barred from contesting for the presidential election for a third time. However, he can become the prime minister.

Sri Lanka: Rajapaksa hopes Sirisena will back no-confidence motion against PM

After its electoral debacle in local council elections, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe&#39;s United National Party has been plunged into a crisis with the premier facing pressure to give up the party leadership, UNP sources said.

This was following a reported request by President Maithripala Sirisena to the UNP leader to step down as premier.

Party sources said Wickremesinghe has come under pressure from within the party to handover the party leadership to someone else.

Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa&#39;s new party - Sri Lanka People&#39;s Party (SLPP) - defeated Sirisena&#39;s Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and the UNP, winning 225 councils or two-thirds of the 340 councils which went to the polls on Saturday.

The UNP won only 41 councils while the SLFP was a distant third with just 11 in the first electoral test of the unity government headed by Sirisena.

Rajapaksa&#39;s SLPP swept the polls in a massive wave of support to the former strongman.

Sirisena&#39;s SLFP suffered its worst drubbing with just 13 per cent of the vote.

UNP sources said Sirisena&#39;s request to Wickremesinghe to step down was unfair given that the president&#39;s party had fared much worse.

Meanwhile, a media report said the UNP, the majority party in parliament, is close to a decision on forming a government on its own, ending the coalition arrangement.

A UNP minister said following the discussion with Sirisena yesterday, senior UNP members met at Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera&#39;s house last night and discussed forming a UNP government at length, the Colombo Page reported.

According sources, no decision was taken at the meeting to remove Wickremesinghe as prime minister. The UNP said it reserved the right to take any decision on the premier&#39;s future.

&quot;We will form our own government independent of the president&#39;s party,&quot; a UNP backbencher said. 
The next parliamentary election is due only in August, 2020 and the current government&#39;s term will run until then.

The UNP said their policies could not be implemented without hindrance as Sirisena&#39;s SLFP was blocking them at every move. The UNP has 106 seats in the 225-member parliament, seven short of a working majority.

Rajapaksa, buoyed by the unexpected success, called for immediate dissolution of parliament claiming both Sirisena and Wickremesinghe had lost their 2015 mandate.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's United National Party has been plunged into a crisis with the premier facing pressure to give up the party leadership, UNP sources said.

After its electoral debacle in local council elections, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's United National Party has been plunged into a crisis with the premier facing pressure to give up the party leadership, UNP sources said. This was following a reported request by President Maithripala Sirisena to the UNP leader to step down as premier. Party sources said Wickremesinghe has come under pressure from within the party to handover the party leadership to someone else. Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa's new party - Sri Lanka People's Party (SLPP) - defeated Sirisena's Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and the UNP, winning 225 councils or two-thirds of the 340 councils which went to the polls on Saturday. The UNP won only 41 councils while the SLFP was a distant third with just 11 in the first electoral test of the unity government headed by Sirisena. Rajapaksa's SLPP swept the polls in a massive wave of support to the former strongman. Sirisena's SLFP suffered its worst drubbing with just 13 per cent of the vote. UNP sources said Sirisena's request to Wickremesinghe to step down was unfair given that the president's party had fared much worse. Meanwhile, a media report said the UNP, the majority party in parliament, is close to a decision on forming a government on its own, ending the coalition arrangement. A UNP minister said following the discussion with Sirisena yesterday, senior UNP members met at Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera's house last night and discussed forming a UNP government at length, the Colombo Page reported. According sources, no decision was taken at the meeting to remove Wickremesinghe as prime minister. The UNP said it reserved the right to take any decision on the premier's future. "We will form our own government independent of the president's party," a UNP backbencher said. The next parliamentary election is due only in August, 2020 and the current government's term will run until then. The UNP said their policies could not be implemented without hindrance as Sirisena's SLFP was blocking them at every move. The UNP has 106 seats in the 225-member parliament, seven short of a working majority. Rajapaksa, buoyed by the unexpected success, called for immediate dissolution of parliament claiming both Sirisena and Wickremesinghe had lost their 2015 mandate.

Sri Lanka's UNP in crisis after Rajapaksa comeback win

Sri Lanka&#39;s ruling alliance was humiliated Sunday in local elections seen as a test of its leadership and the party of ex-president Mahinda Rajapakse was on track for a shock landslide victory, results showed Sunday.

The mid-term polls further strained the uneasy coalition between President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe as they faced a resurgent challenger in Rajapakse&#39;s new party.

Official results showed Rajapakse&#39;s Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna -- SLPP or People&#39;s Front -- had won 143 of the 182 councils counted so far, out of a total of 340.

Wickremesinghe&#39;s United National Party was a distant second with 17 councils while Sirisena&#39;s Freedom Alliance languished with just seven.

Unofficial results showed Rajapakse&#39;s party comfortably leading in all regions bar the battled-scarred north and east where, as president, he brutally crushed a separatist movement to end the island&#39;s ethnic war in 2009.

The vote affects only the lowest rungs of Sri Lankan politics but the result is being seen as a stinging rebuke to the ruling coalition, which has struggled to pass promised post-war reforms.

The alliance between Sirisena and Wickremesinghe -- who teamed up to defeat Rajapakse in a presidential election in 2015 -- has frayed as both men have levelled allegations of corruption and backstabbing against the other.

Wickremesinghe&#39;s UNP had been expected to lead Saturday&#39;s poll while the parties led by Sirisena and Rajapakse were expected to fight for second.

Rajapakse&#39;s surprise dominance was proof the people no longer had faith in the tattered ruling alliance, said SLPP spokesman Gamini Lakshman Peiris.

&quot;This was a referendum on the government. It has no legal or democratic right to remain in power,&quot; Peiris told reporters.

Neither the president or prime minister were commenting on the result. Official sources said both men -- who campaigned separately for their respective parties -- were meeting senior aides to discuss the next moves.

The UNP had indicated it may go it alone in the next general election in 2020 as the rift between Wickremesinghe and Sirisena and their supporters deepened.

Sri Lanka's ruling alliance was humiliated Sunday in local elections seen as a test of its leadership and the party of ex-president Mahinda Rajapakse was on track for a shock landslide victory, results showed

Sri Lanka's ruling alliance was humiliated Sunday in local elections seen as a test of its leadership and the party of ex-president Mahinda Rajapakse was on track for a shock landslide victory, results showed Sunday. The mid-term polls further strained the uneasy coalition between President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe as they faced a resurgent challenger in Rajapakse's new party. Official results showed Rajapakse's Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna -- SLPP or People's Front -- had won 143 of the 182 councils counted so far, out of a total of 340. Wickremesinghe's United National Party was a distant second with 17 councils while Sirisena's Freedom Alliance languished with just seven. Unofficial results showed Rajapakse's party comfortably leading in all regions bar the battled-scarred north and east where, as president, he brutally crushed a separatist movement to end the island's ethnic war in 2009. The vote affects only the lowest rungs of Sri Lankan politics but the result is being seen as a stinging rebuke to the ruling coalition, which has struggled to pass promised post-war reforms. The alliance between Sirisena and Wickremesinghe -- who teamed up to defeat Rajapakse in a presidential election in 2015 -- has frayed as both men have levelled allegations of corruption and backstabbing against the other. Wickremesinghe's UNP had been expected to lead Saturday's poll while the parties led by Sirisena and Rajapakse were expected to fight for second. Rajapakse's surprise dominance was proof the people no longer had faith in the tattered ruling alliance, said SLPP spokesman Gamini Lakshman Peiris. "This was a referendum on the government. It has no legal or democratic right to remain in power," Peiris told reporters. Neither the president or prime minister were commenting on the result. Official sources said both men -- who campaigned separately for their respective parties -- were meeting senior aides to discuss the next moves. The UNP had indicated it may go it alone in the next general election in 2020 as the rift between Wickremesinghe and Sirisena and their supporters deepened.

Ruling Sri Lanka alliance humiliated in local elections, ex-president Rajapaksa's party on track for shock landslide win

China&#39;s right-leaning<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/lanka-limits-chinas-role-in-hambantota-ports-deal-after-domestic-and-international-concerns-18277"> newspaper today raked up the Hambantota airport issue </a>in Sri Lanka, also known as &quot;emptiest airport in the world&quot;, asserting that it &quot;will not be easy for India to bring the airport to life&quot; and then use it to &quot;create jobs&quot;.

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nothing-against-india-says-namal-rajapaksa-22605">Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport in Mattala </a>near Hambantota opened in 2013 has become a bone of contention in Sri Lankan domestic politics.

Recently, former president Mahinda Rajapaksa&#39;s son Namal Rajapaksa demonstrated outside the Indian Consulate in Sri Lanka. In an exclusive interview to WION, Namal Rajapaksa had said that the government wanted India to build the Hambantota airport and the seaport nearby to China in order to &quot;balance India&quot; and keep regional &quot;geopolitical&quot; interests at bay.

China has been openly lobbying support for its OBOR project, it has already bagged rights to build &#39;Colombo Port City&#39; in the heart of the Sri Lankan capital in a deal worth $1.4 billion.

The Colombo Port City is the largest project between China and Sri Lanka under the China- proposed Belt and Road Initiative. China has invested millions of dollars in Sri Lanka&#39;s infrastructure.

&quot;A quick deal to buy an existing airport, instead of focusing on greenfield manufacturing investment that can generate sustained income, is a shortcut to increasing New Delhi&#39;s presence in Sri Lanka to counter China&#39;s influence,&quot; the Global Times said.

&quot;In addition to the Hambantota Port, China is setting up an industrial zone in Hambantota, which will likely transform the area into an important trading and logistics hub and attract massive investment,&quot; the newspaper said.

&quot;Both China and India have been stepping up infrastructure investment in Sri Lanka. Now it&#39;s time to consider how to expand the investment scope to energize the local economy in Sri Lanka,&quot; it said.

&quot;India and China must work together to tap the potential of manufacturing cooperation and establish sustainable relations with the island country,&quot; the newspaper concluded. 
&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport in Mattala near Hambantota opened in 2013 has become a bone of contention in Sri Lankan domestic politics.

China's right-leaning newspaper today raked up the Hambantota airport issue in Sri Lanka, also known as "emptiest airport in the world", asserting that it "will not be easy for India to bring the airport to life" and then use it to "create jobs". The Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport in Mattala near Hambantota opened in 2013 has become a bone of contention in Sri Lankan domestic politics. Recently, former president Mahinda Rajapaksa's son Namal Rajapaksa demonstrated outside the Indian Consulate in Sri Lanka. In an exclusive interview to WION, Namal Rajapaksa had said that the government wanted India to build the Hambantota airport and the seaport nearby to China in order to "balance India" and keep regional "geopolitical" interests at bay. China has been openly lobbying support for its OBOR project, it has already bagged rights to build 'Colombo Port City' in the heart of the Sri Lankan capital in a deal worth $1.4 billion. The Colombo Port City is the largest project between China and Sri Lanka under the China- proposed Belt and Road Initiative. China has invested millions of dollars in Sri Lanka's infrastructure. "A quick deal to buy an existing airport, instead of focusing on greenfield manufacturing investment that can generate sustained income, is a shortcut to increasing New Delhi's presence in Sri Lanka to counter China's influence," the Global Times said. "In addition to the Hambantota Port, China is setting up an industrial zone in Hambantota, which will likely transform the area into an important trading and logistics hub and attract massive investment," the newspaper said. "Both China and India have been stepping up infrastructure investment in Sri Lanka. Now it's time to consider how to expand the investment scope to energize the local economy in Sri Lanka," it said. "India and China must work together to tap the potential of manufacturing cooperation and establish sustainable relations with the island country," the newspaper concluded.

Won't be easy for India to bring Sri Lanka's Hambantota airport to life: China daily

Mahinda Rajapaksa was President of Sri Lanka from 2005 to 2015. He is a human rights lawyer by profession, but has been the butt of &nbsp;widespread outrage and criticism for alleged human rights violations by the Sri Lankan armed forces during the final stages of the 30-year long civil war against the armed separatist group, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which invented the &quot;suicide bomb&quot;,&nbsp;forcibly recruited child soldiers and used civilians as human shields. In his first global television interview since his election defeat in 2015, Rajapaksa spoke to WION&rsquo;s senior international correspondent Padma Rao Sundarji for the &quot;World Is One: Global Leadership&quot;&nbsp;series at his residence in Colombo. 
&nbsp; 
Padma Rao Sundarji: President Mahinda Rajapaksa, it&rsquo;s a pleasure to see you again. Thank you for receiving me and WION for this exclusive interview. I&rsquo;ll start with India/China/Pakistan -the region. Sri Lanka is today steeped in external debt to China. The current government under President Maithripala Sirisena is under tremendous pressure. It is slated to give China up to 80% stake&nbsp;in the port of Hambantota and a 99-year lease on 15,000 acres of land nearby. Your critics say that it is your government that began the dependency on China, your supporters blame the present government in Colombo. Either way, India is not happy. Who is more responsible? 
&nbsp; 
Mahinda Rajapaksa: They say we are responsible and we say the present government is responsible. Some even say India is responsible. &nbsp;We had decided to consciously re-orient our countries towards Asia, which, of course, means the two power houses India and China. We did this for more than one reason. Firstly, we identify ourselves as Asians and therefore we identify our destiny as part of that of the continent of Asia. Secondly, Asia is our civilizational and cultural comfort zone. Thirdly, we look to Asia to protect us and help counter-balance pressures on our nation&rsquo;s sovereignty from outside the region. We continue to hope to benefit from the economic rise of Asia propelled by the growth of its two giants, India and China. &nbsp;But there was no dependency on China under my government &mdash;&nbsp;I must tell you that. All projects were income-yielding. Repayment was commercially feasible. &nbsp;Take the Hambantota sea port. First, I went to India,&nbsp;and I requested them&nbsp;I want a harbour port here and asked whether they could please help us. But you know&hellip;the Indian way. You can&#39;t blame them either because the private sector is involved and then there was red tape, etc. All in all, they were not prepared to accept because the (Sri Lankan civil) war was going on, not only the north and east, but even in other parts of the country. Then, I think in 2006, I went to China. There, I negotiated the port. They immediately gave it to me within that year. But it was a loan that we could afford, because we knew from the income we get that we can pay it back. We were not depending on them (China). It was a direct loan, for which we never gave them the port. After that and for the second and third phases, we negotiated with them on a Supply-Operate-Transfer (SOT) basis. But only for the terminal. not the port! And even in the terminal, they had to pay for the land. We never gave them land like this (the current government). &nbsp;Unfortunately with this government, it&rsquo;s their approach. As soon as they came to power, they cancelled all these contracts, all these agreements with China and antagonised Beijing. &nbsp;Thereafter, of course everything changed. Now they are offering 15,000 acres &ndash; we never offered them anything like that. What they are doing now is &mdash;&nbsp;I would say, they are selling the country. 
&nbsp; 
Padma Rao Sundarji: China is Sri Lanka&#39;s largest trading partner and biggest investor. Even some Sri Lankans say that China is slowly colonising your country. You and the factions supporting you are yourselves protesting the Hambantota deal with China. And yet, your prime minister,&nbsp;Ranil Wickremesinghe&nbsp;is expected to initial the deal when he visits China in May. Colombo&#39;s Port City Project too&nbsp;is steaming ahead. And through the docking of its nuclear submarines, China has already made it clear that it has larger, strategic interests in Sri Lanka and the Indian Ocean region. &nbsp;Is it too late to revert this process of near colonisation of Sri Lanka by China? 
&nbsp; 
Mahinda Rajapaksa: &nbsp;There was no idea of colonisation in our time. China is a valued friend and a partner in development, that&rsquo;s all. &nbsp;However, there is a significant difference between our approach and that of the present government. The Chinese projects were negotiated by the last government (ours) as per the structures I described. For Hambantota, it was a Supply-Operate-Transfer (SOT) arrangement only for the terminal and the land was leased to them. So there can be no talk of colonisation as such. But this government has changed all those policies. That is why all this is happening now. 
&nbsp; 
Padma Rao Sundarji: To decimate the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), against whom there was a brutal civil war for 30 years, your government received arms, training and even aircraft from China and Pakistan. Did you ask India to help at the time and if so, how did New Delhi react? 
&nbsp; 
Mahinda Rajapaksa: But they helped us! We didn&rsquo;t have to ask! Because I was fighting your war, India&#39;s&nbsp;war, not my war, actually. The LTTE killed your prime minister, Rajiv Gandhi and so many other people in India and on your soil, not ours. So in that way, it was not only my war, it was an Indian war, it was a humanitarian war. India helped us in every possible way. We didn&rsquo;t want to publicise&nbsp;it, tell the press too much. &nbsp;And not only China and Pakistan, even the British and the Americans helped us. 
&nbsp; 
Padma Rao Sundarji:&nbsp;Pakistan is a hotbed of Islamist terrorism, mostly targeted at India. The Maldives too, have been home to the maximum number of Islamic State recruits in South Asia and is being rapidly influenced by Saudi Wah&rsquo;abi Islam. Bangladesh has seen IS terror and sleeper cells. Your justice minister recently said that 31 &ldquo;elite Sri Lankan Muslims&rdquo; had joined the IS&nbsp;too. Given all this, it&rsquo;s surely better for Sri Lanka to improve relations with India, than ignore the dangers from Islamist terrorism in the region? &nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Mahinda Rajapaksa: We believe in improving relations with all countries in our neighbourhood, this I must tell you. Both India and Pakistan have helped us as best as they can, we have traditionally been friends of both. And that friendship has not been mutually exclusive and contradictory, that is, friendship with one has not been at the expense of the other. We are mindful of the sentiments of our citizens of Islamic faith. You will remember that our former PM, Mrs Sirimavo Bandaranaike was a close friend of the Islamic world. &nbsp;Of course, we have only one neighbour, India. It&#39;s a subcontinent and where our Tamil citizens have cultural, linguistic and civilizational links. &nbsp;For all those reasons our relationship and friendship with India is quite special. Even unique,&nbsp;I would say. 
&nbsp; 
Padma Rao Sundarji: Mr Rajapaksa, you had promised to bring about a solution to the demand for Tamil autonomy in your Northern and Eastern Provinces. India insists on the implementation of the so-called 13th Amendment to the Sri Lankan constitution which Rajiv Gandhi&rsquo;s government had co-authored and both parties signed in 1987. Thirty years on, is it the best solution? 
&nbsp; 
Mahinda Rajapaksa: I won&rsquo;t say it&rsquo;s the best solution. If it were, the problem would have surely been solved by now. We must remember that all communities must get together to give a solution. You can&rsquo;t come up with one solution only to satisfy one section or community. We have to satisfy all. 
&nbsp; 
Padma Rao Sundarji: The fishermen&#39;s issue and the Kachaithivu agreement make headlines in both India and Sri Lanka every day. What&rsquo;s at the bottom of both and how can they be resolved once and for all times? 
&nbsp; 
Mahinda Rajapaksa: Fishermen only follow the fish, they are not worried about borders. But it is our duty &ndash;&nbsp;that of Delhi and Colombo &ndash; to stop this, we must have the political will to do so. Indian fishermen come here and deplete the entire seabed of fish by using bottom trawlers. So this must stop. And New Delhi must have the political will to stop it. 
&nbsp; 
Padma Rao Sundarji: You had accused India, specifically its Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) of engineering your election defeat in 2015. How so? 
&nbsp; 
Mahinda Rajapaksa&nbsp;(laughs): You know, I don&rsquo;t want to go into the past. What&rsquo;s done is done. It&rsquo;s a new page now. 
&nbsp; 
Padma Rao Sundarji: If you were to return to power - either with the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) faction that supports you or some other new party, would you want to recalibrate your relationship to India which was very tense during your years in office? 
&nbsp; 
Mahinda Rajapaksa: Frankly, I think both my government and this government and may I say even earlier governments like that of President JR Jayawardene have learned lessons in geopolitics and economics! No Sri Lankan government can fail to recognise that Sri Lanka cannot afford to antagonise the two Asian giants &ndash; China and India. We have learned our lessons by now. So it&rsquo;s in our national interest to very carefully balance and maintain equilibrium between the two. 
&nbsp; 
Padma Rao Sundarji: A report in The Hindu suggests that you and your brother, former defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa have fallen out and that Ram Madhav, Indian PM Narendra Modi&#39;s special man for Sri Lanka, is involved in engineering some sort of a political arrangement which will include your brother and suit Indian interests. Can you comment on that report? 
&nbsp; 
Mahinda Rajapaksa: I didn&rsquo;t see the report, only heard about it. &nbsp;But there has been no falling out between Gotabhaya and me in the past, in the present and there will not be one in the future either. Our relationship is based on love, mutual respect, shared patriotic values but also the dangerous shared experience during the war. Why, he had dropped in only yesterday. I really &nbsp;don&rsquo;t know why they make stories up like this. It&rsquo;s not good for their paper, or even for the writer&hellip; 
&nbsp; 
Padma Rao Sundarji: What is your personal equation with PM Modi? You have met him several times, including at his own inauguration. Would you have any anecdotes to narrate? 
&nbsp; 
Mahinda Rajapaksa: I &nbsp;regard myself a friend of your PM Modi. I admire what he has done for your country, India. And his international prestige. I really like the way he has harnessed the support of the Indian diaspora in a way I couldn&rsquo;t! I admire his patriotism and his drive at modernising India. Yes we admire him, there&rsquo;s no question. 
&nbsp; 
Padma Rao Sundarji: Earlier this year, several former &quot;rehabilitated&quot;&nbsp;LTTE cadres were arrested for being part of a diaspora-hatched conspiracy to kill moderate Tamil leader MA&nbsp;Sumanthiran. Two years ago, three former Tigers including one &ldquo;Gobi&rdquo; were chased and gunned down and caches of weapons found in Sri Lanka&rsquo;s Northern Province. The Liberation Tigers have regrouped outside Sri Lanka. Does all this mean that the rehabilitation program started by your government has proved to be a failure? 
&nbsp; 
Mahinda Rajapaksa: Not at all. Our rehabilitation effort was successful and humane. What has been a disaster is the weakening of our security forces and our safety network in the former conflict areas. Weakening them has been a deliberate policy of the present government. I fear that disaster is looming. When we released them &ndash; about 12000 people &ndash; some were rehabilitated fully, then underwent the entire course. Then there were those who had taken only half of it. Finally there were others who somehow managed to escape that rehabilitation program. The LTTE diaspora is collecting money and they are powerful. So it is essential to have a good security network. Our intelligence networks must be strengthened. Instead, they have weakened it, because they are listening to the LTTE diaspora. 
&nbsp; 
Padma Rao Sundarji: But if the rehabilitation program was successful, then these stories of an LTTE resurgence are surely just politically-motivated rumors ? &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Mahinda Rajapaksa: No, they are not. They&rsquo;re probably the tip of the iceberg. 
&nbsp; 
Padma Rao Sundarji: So you feel the problem is much larger? 
&nbsp; 
Mahinda Rajapaksa: Yes, much larger. 
&nbsp; 
Padma Rao Sundarji: Former Tiger Karuna has formed the Tamil Freedom Party in Batticaloa, another former Tiger the &ldquo;Rehabilitated Liberation Tigers Party in Trincomalee. &nbsp;&quot;Tamil freedom&quot;, &quot;Liberation Tigers&quot; - surely no Election Commission in united, post-war Sri Lanka can and should accept such party names? 
&nbsp; 
Mahinda Rajapaksa: &nbsp;Well, I support and encourage Karuna. He took a personal risk by coming into the mainstream and that cost him his brother Reggie&rsquo;s life &ndash; he was killed by the Tigers. Now if Karuna&rsquo;s forming a political party, I wish him luck. I don&rsquo;t know enough about the other party you mention. But rehabilitees must be able, free to start political parties. We must encourage them to come into peaceful, democratic, non-separatist politics. 
&nbsp; 
Padma Rao Sundarji: But surely with better names? 
&nbsp; 
Mahinda Rajapaksa: Yes, I suppose so&hellip;.I think the election commissioner will advise them.. 
&nbsp; 
Padma Rao Sundarji: You are widely credited &ndash; even by your detractors - as the first Sri Lankan president to bring the 30-year civil war to an end. Corruption charges against your family persist now. And yet, your popularity seems on a phenomenal upswing. A new party has been formed, it is asking you to leave the SLFP and lead it instead. Either way, will the next election see the return of Mahinda Rajapaksa into the fray? 
&nbsp; 
Mahinda Rajapaksa: Mahinda Rajapaksa never left the fray. As long as my country, my nation, my people are in danger and need me, I remain in the fray. 
&nbsp; 
Padma Rao Sundarji: So whether as PM or President, you will come back, in whichever role? 
&nbsp; 
Mahinda Rajapaksa: &nbsp;I must tell you that patriotic politics is not a job. It is my life&rsquo;s vocation.

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In this edition of WION&#39;s Global Leadership series, Padma Rao speaks to former president of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa (WION)
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(WION)

Rajapaksa spoke to WION?s senior international correspondent Padma Rao Sundarji for the 'World Is One: Global Leadership' series

Mahinda Rajapaksa was President of Sri Lanka from 2005 to 2015. He is a human rights lawyer by profession, but has been the butt of widespread outrage and criticism for alleged human rights violations by the Sri Lankan armed forces during the final stages of the 30-year long civil war against the armed separatist group, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which invented the "suicide bomb", forcibly recruited child soldiers and used civilians as human shields. In his first global television interview since his election defeat in 2015, Rajapaksa spoke to WION’s senior international correspondent Padma Rao Sundarji for the "World Is One: Global Leadership" series at his residence in Colombo. Padma Rao Sundarji: President Mahinda Rajapaksa, it’s a pleasure to see you again. Thank you for receiving me and WION for this exclusive interview. I’ll start with India/China/Pakistan -the region. Sri Lanka is today steeped in external debt to China. The current government under President Maithripala Sirisena is under tremendous pressure. It is slated to give China up to 80% stake in the port of Hambantota and a 99-year lease on 15,000 acres of land nearby. Your critics say that it is your government that began the dependency on China, your supporters blame the present government in Colombo. Either way, India is not happy. Who is more responsible? Mahinda Rajapaksa: They say we are responsible and we say the present government is responsible. Some even say India is responsible. We had decided to consciously re-orient our countries towards Asia, which, of course, means the two power houses India and China. We did this for more than one reason. Firstly, we identify ourselves as Asians and therefore we identify our destiny as part of that of the continent of Asia. Secondly, Asia is our civilizational and cultural comfort zone. Thirdly, we look to Asia to protect us and help counter-balance pressures on our nation’s sovereignty from outside the region. We continue to hope to benefit from the economic rise of Asia propelled by the growth of its two giants, India and China. But there was no dependency on China under my government — I must tell you that. All projects were income-yielding. Repayment was commercially feasible. Take the Hambantota sea port. First, I went to India, and I requested them I want a harbour port here and asked whether they could please help us. But you know…the Indian way. You can't blame them either because the private sector is involved and then there was red tape, etc. All in all, they were not prepared to accept because the (Sri Lankan civil) war was going on, not only the north and east, but even in other parts of the country. Then, I think in 2006, I went to China. There, I negotiated the port. They immediately gave it to me within that year. But it was a loan that we could afford, because we knew from the income we get that we can pay it back. We were not depending on them (China). It was a direct loan, for which we never gave them the port. After that and for the second and third phases, we negotiated with them on a Supply-Operate-Transfer (SOT) basis. But only for the terminal. not the port! And even in the terminal, they had to pay for the land. We never gave them land like this (the current government). Unfortunately with this government, it’s their approach. As soon as they came to power, they cancelled all these contracts, all these agreements with China and antagonised Beijing. Thereafter, of course everything changed. Now they are offering 15,000 acres – we never offered them anything like that. What they are doing now is — I would say, they are selling the country. Padma Rao Sundarji: China is Sri Lanka's largest trading partner and biggest investor. Even some Sri Lankans say that China is slowly colonising your country. You and the factions supporting you are yourselves protesting the Hambantota deal with China. And yet, your prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe is expected to initial the deal when he visits China in May. Colombo's Port City Project too is steaming ahead. And through the docking of its nuclear submarines, China has already made it clear that it has larger, strategic interests in Sri Lanka and the Indian Ocean region. Is it too late to revert this process of near colonisation of Sri Lanka by China? Mahinda Rajapaksa: There was no idea of colonisation in our time. China is a valued friend and a partner in development, that’s all. However, there is a significant difference between our approach and that of the present government. The Chinese projects were negotiated by the last government (ours) as per the structures I described. For Hambantota, it was a Supply-Operate-Transfer (SOT) arrangement only for the terminal and the land was leased to them. So there can be no talk of colonisation as such. But this government has changed all those policies. That is why all this is happening now. Padma Rao Sundarji: To decimate the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), against whom there was a brutal civil war for 30 years, your government received arms, training and even aircraft from China and Pakistan. Did you ask India to help at the time and if so, how did New Delhi react? Mahinda Rajapaksa: But they helped us! We didn’t have to ask! Because I was fighting your war, India's war, not my war, actually. The LTTE killed your prime minister, Rajiv Gandhi and so many other people in India and on your soil, not ours. So in that way, it was not only my war, it was an Indian war, it was a humanitarian war. India helped us in every possible way. We didn’t want to publicise it, tell the press too much. And not only China and Pakistan, even the British and the Americans helped us. Padma Rao Sundarji: Pakistan is a hotbed of Islamist terrorism, mostly targeted at India. The Maldives too, have been home to the maximum number of Islamic State recruits in South Asia and is being rapidly influenced by Saudi Wah’abi Islam. Bangladesh has seen IS terror and sleeper cells. Your justice minister recently said that 31 “elite Sri Lankan Muslims” had joined the IS too. Given all this, it’s surely better for Sri Lanka to improve relations with India, than ignore the dangers from Islamist terrorism in the region? Mahinda Rajapaksa: We believe in improving relations with all countries in our neighbourhood, this I must tell you. Both India and Pakistan have helped us as best as they can, we have traditionally been friends of both. And that friendship has not been mutually exclusive and contradictory, that is, friendship with one has not been at the expense of the other. We are mindful of the sentiments of our citizens of Islamic faith. You will remember that our former PM, Mrs Sirimavo Bandaranaike was a close friend of the Islamic world. Of course, we have only one neighbour, India. It's a subcontinent and where our Tamil citizens have cultural, linguistic and civilizational links. For all those reasons our relationship and friendship with India is quite special. Even unique, I would say. Padma Rao Sundarji: Mr Rajapaksa, you had promised to bring about a solution to the demand for Tamil autonomy in your Northern and Eastern Provinces. India insists on the implementation of the so-called 13th Amendment to the Sri Lankan constitution which Rajiv Gandhi’s government had co-authored and both parties signed in 1987. Thirty years on, is it the best solution? Mahinda Rajapaksa: I won’t say it’s the best solution. If it were, the problem would have surely been solved by now. We must remember that all communities must get together to give a solution. You can’t come up with one solution only to satisfy one section or community. We have to satisfy all. Padma Rao Sundarji: The fishermen's issue and the Kachaithivu agreement make headlines in both India and Sri Lanka every day. What’s at the bottom of both and how can they be resolved once and for all times? Mahinda Rajapaksa: Fishermen only follow the fish, they are not worried about borders. But it is our duty – that of Delhi and Colombo – to stop this, we must have the political will to do so. Indian fishermen come here and deplete the entire seabed of fish by using bottom trawlers. So this must stop. And New Delhi must have the political will to stop it. Padma Rao Sundarji: You had accused India, specifically its Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) of engineering your election defeat in 2015. How so? Mahinda Rajapaksa (laughs): You know, I don’t want to go into the past. What’s done is done. It’s a new page now. Padma Rao Sundarji: If you were to return to power - either with the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) faction that supports you or some other new party, would you want to recalibrate your relationship to India which was very tense during your years in office? Mahinda Rajapaksa: Frankly, I think both my government and this government and may I say even earlier governments like that of President JR Jayawardene have learned lessons in geopolitics and economics! No Sri Lankan government can fail to recognise that Sri Lanka cannot afford to antagonise the two Asian giants – China and India. We have learned our lessons by now. So it’s in our national interest to very carefully balance and maintain equilibrium between the two. Padma Rao Sundarji: A report in The Hindu suggests that you and your brother, former defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa have fallen out and that Ram Madhav, Indian PM Narendra Modi's special man for Sri Lanka, is involved in engineering some sort of a political arrangement which will include your brother and suit Indian interests. Can you comment on that report? Mahinda Rajapaksa: I didn’t see the report, only heard about it. But there has been no falling out between Gotabhaya and me in the past, in the present and there will not be one in the future either. Our relationship is based on love, mutual respect, shared patriotic values but also the dangerous shared experience during the war. Why, he had dropped in only yesterday. I really don’t know why they make stories up like this. It’s not good for their paper, or even for the writer… Padma Rao Sundarji: What is your personal equation with PM Modi? You have met him several times, including at his own inauguration. Would you have any anecdotes to narrate? Mahinda Rajapaksa: I regard myself a friend of your PM Modi. I admire what he has done for your country, India. And his international prestige. I really like the way he has harnessed the support of the Indian diaspora in a way I couldn’t! I admire his patriotism and his drive at modernising India. Yes we admire him, there’s no question. Padma Rao Sundarji: Earlier this year, several former "rehabilitated" LTTE cadres were arrested for being part of a diaspora-hatched conspiracy to kill moderate Tamil leader MA Sumanthiran. Two years ago, three former Tigers including one “Gobi” were chased and gunned down and caches of weapons found in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province. The Liberation Tigers have regrouped outside Sri Lanka. Does all this mean that the rehabilitation program started by your government has proved to be a failure? Mahinda Rajapaksa: Not at all. Our rehabilitation effort was successful and humane. What has been a disaster is the weakening of our security forces and our safety network in the former conflict areas. Weakening them has been a deliberate policy of the present government. I fear that disaster is looming. When we released them – about 12000 people – some were rehabilitated fully, then underwent the entire course. Then there were those who had taken only half of it. Finally there were others who somehow managed to escape that rehabilitation program. The LTTE diaspora is collecting money and they are powerful. So it is essential to have a good security network. Our intelligence networks must be strengthened. Instead, they have weakened it, because they are listening to the LTTE diaspora. Padma Rao Sundarji: But if the rehabilitation program was successful, then these stories of an LTTE resurgence are surely just politically-motivated rumors ? Mahinda Rajapaksa: No, they are not. They’re probably the tip of the iceberg. Padma Rao Sundarji: So you feel the problem is much larger? Mahinda Rajapaksa: Yes, much larger. Padma Rao Sundarji: Former Tiger Karuna has formed the Tamil Freedom Party in Batticaloa, another former Tiger the “Rehabilitated Liberation Tigers Party in Trincomalee. "Tamil freedom", "Liberation Tigers" - surely no Election Commission in united, post-war Sri Lanka can and should accept such party names? Mahinda Rajapaksa: Well, I support and encourage Karuna. He took a personal risk by coming into the mainstream and that cost him his brother Reggie’s life – he was killed by the Tigers. Now if Karuna’s forming a political party, I wish him luck. I don’t know enough about the other party you mention. But rehabilitees must be able, free to start political parties. We must encourage them to come into peaceful, democratic, non-separatist politics. Padma Rao Sundarji: But surely with better names? Mahinda Rajapaksa: Yes, I suppose so….I think the election commissioner will advise them.. Padma Rao Sundarji: You are widely credited – even by your detractors - as the first Sri Lankan president to bring the 30-year civil war to an end. Corruption charges against your family persist now. And yet, your popularity seems on a phenomenal upswing. A new party has been formed, it is asking you to leave the SLFP and lead it instead. Either way, will the next election see the return of Mahinda Rajapaksa into the fray? Mahinda Rajapaksa: Mahinda Rajapaksa never left the fray. As long as my country, my nation, my people are in danger and need me, I remain in the fray. Padma Rao Sundarji: So whether as PM or President, you will come back, in whichever role? Mahinda Rajapaksa: I must tell you that patriotic politics is not a job. It is my life’s vocation. Watch In this edition of WION's Global Leadership series, Padma Rao speaks to former president of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa (WION) × (WION)

Exclusive: Sri Lankan government selling the country, says ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa

Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena-led SLFP has suspended an MP over &quot;derogatory&quot; comments about the party leadership as it vowed to initiate a disciplinary whip against members who back Mahinda Rajapaksa, prompting a sharp reaction from the former strongman today. 
 
At the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) central committee meeting last night, the party decided to take disciplinary action against members who back Rajapaksa, Sirisena loyalist and deputy minister of finance Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said. 
 
Accordingly, Sanath Nishantha, a member of parliament backing Rajapaksa, was suspended of his membership for making comments &quot;derogatory&quot; of Sirisena over the national television. 
 
&quot;I do not accept Sirisena&#39;s leadership,&quot; Nishantha had said in response to a question by a party member on the same.&nbsp;Action would also be taken against several members of the party&#39;s local councillors for defying party discipline, said Abeywardena. 
 
Rajapaksa hit back at the move, saying: &quot;MP Nishantha is a very popular member who had come up in the ranks due to his hard work with the people. This is no action to unite the party.&nbsp;A party should not try to chase people out,&quot; he told reporters on the eve of a private visit to South Korea. 
 
Sirisena, who succeeded Rajapaksa as the leader of the SLFP, now in unity government with its archrival United National Party (UNP) of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, has been struggling to get the Rajapaksa loyalists under his leadership. 
 
The Rajapaksa group, who call themselves the joint opposition with three other fringe opposition parties, have taken Sirisena head on, challenging both him and Wickremesinghe. 
 
Last week, the Rajapaksa loyalists held an opposition protest march which lasted over five days. They were charged of bringing disrepute to the party by hooting at party headquarters while on the way to the rally. So, more Rajapaksa loyalists would be under fire soon, party sources said.&nbsp; 
 
(PTI)

This comes after the Sri Lanka Freedom Party led by Sirisena decided to take disciplinary action against members who back Rajapaksa

Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena-led SLFP has suspended an MP over "derogatory" comments about the party leadership as it vowed to initiate a disciplinary whip against members who back Mahinda Rajapaksa, prompting a sharp reaction from the former strongman today. At the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) central committee meeting last night, the party decided to take disciplinary action against members who back Rajapaksa, Sirisena loyalist and deputy minister of finance Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said. Accordingly, Sanath Nishantha, a member of parliament backing Rajapaksa, was suspended of his membership for making comments "derogatory" of Sirisena over the national television. "I do not accept Sirisena's leadership," Nishantha had said in response to a question by a party member on the same. Action would also be taken against several members of the party's local councillors for defying party discipline, said Abeywardena. Rajapaksa hit back at the move, saying: "MP Nishantha is a very popular member who had come up in the ranks due to his hard work with the people. This is no action to unite the party. A party should not try to chase people out," he told reporters on the eve of a private visit to South Korea. Sirisena, who succeeded Rajapaksa as the leader of the SLFP, now in unity government with its archrival United National Party (UNP) of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, has been struggling to get the Rajapaksa loyalists under his leadership. The Rajapaksa group, who call themselves the joint opposition with three other fringe opposition parties, have taken Sirisena head on, challenging both him and Wickremesinghe. Last week, the Rajapaksa loyalists held an opposition protest march which lasted over five days. They were charged of bringing disrepute to the party by hooting at party headquarters while on the way to the rally. So, more Rajapaksa loyalists would be under fire soon, party sources said. (PTI)

Sri Lanka: MP suspended for making 'derogatory' comments about President Sirisena

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