Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirirsena's deadline to find a solution to the ongoing political crisis in the island nation has ended on Tuesday.

Sirisena on December 4 took to Twitter saying, "The current political crisis will not drag on beyond seven days. I have always taken decisions in the best interest of the country and the people".&nbsp;

However, as the deadline ends today, there seems no solution to the crisis anytime soon in the future.

The political crisis in the island nation started in late October when Sirisena sacked Ranil Wickremesinghe from the post of Prime Minister and replaced him with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Subsequently, Rajapaksa was also ousted after No-Confidence motion was passed against him in Parliament twice.

Sri Lanka court had also passed an interim order against Rajapaksa which barred him from holding the Prime Minister office.

Last week, Sirisena also claimed that Rajapaksa had tried to bribe politicians in order to show a majority in the country's Parliament.

Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirirsena's deadline to find a solution to the ongoing political crisis in the island nation has ended on Tuesday. Sirisena on December 4 took to Twitter saying, "The current political crisis will not drag on beyond seven days.

Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirirsena's deadline to find a solution to the ongoing political crisis in the island nation has ended on Tuesday. Sirisena on December 4 took to Twitter saying, "The current political crisis will not drag on beyond seven days. I have always taken decisions in the best interest of the country and the people". However, as the deadline ends today, there seems no solution to the crisis anytime soon in the future. The political crisis in the island nation started in late October when Sirisena sacked Ranil Wickremesinghe from the post of Prime Minister and replaced him with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Subsequently, Rajapaksa was also ousted after No-Confidence motion was passed against him in Parliament twice. Sri Lanka court had also passed an interim order against Rajapaksa which barred him from holding the Prime Minister office. Last week, Sirisena also claimed that Rajapaksa had tried to bribe politicians in order to show a majority in the country's Parliament.

Sri Lanka President Sirisena fails to meet deadline to end political crisis

<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

Sri Lanka`s three state banks will borrow up to $1 billion from foreign sources before the end of 2018 and use the money to pay off maturing foreign loans, Finance Ministry Secretary SR Attygalle said on Thursday.

The move comes as Sri Lanka faces a worsening political crisis with a newly appointed government refusing to resign despite losing two confidence votes in parliament.&nbsp;

The government is now trying to shore up a badly shaken investor confidence which is reflected in the decision by Moody`s Investors Service to downgrade its rating deeper into junk territory on Tuesday.&nbsp;

The Sri Lankan rupee has fallen to record lows in recent days and its dollar bond yields have spiked.

The island nation is scheduled to repay more than $5.8 billion, including $1.54 billion in interest payments, in the next 12 months, the central bank`s latest data showed.&nbsp;

"The state banks will borrow through 1- to 3-year maturity bonds and money can be used to repay foreign loans next year. We expect there could be a slight increase in borrowing costs due to Moody`s rating downgrade," Attygalle told Reuters.

The state banks can borrow on their own balance sheets but if the government gives a sovereign guarantee the loans may require parliamentary approval. That would be difficult to get as Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa does not have majority support in parliament.

President Maithripala Sirisena`s sacking of prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and his replacement by Rajapaksa last month, amid the competing influences of China and India, have shattered the island`s fragile ruling coalition.

Bank of Ceylon, People`s Bank, and National Savings Bank will conduct the borrowing through syndicated loans.&nbsp;

Eran Wickramaratne, who was a junior finance minister in the government of the deposed prime minister Wickremesinghe, said the previous administration had not planned to use the state banks for borrowing overseas this year. It was concerned that such borrowings would weaken the state banks, he said.&nbsp;

The previous Rajapaksa-led government did give sovereign guarantees for state bank loans in 2013. National Savings Bank had borrowed $750 million through an international five-year bond in 2013.&nbsp;

Analysts say Sri Lanka will have to borrow at "very expensive" rates on international markets because of the political uncertainty.

Sri Lanka`s three state banks will borrow up to $1 billion from foreign sources before the end of 2018 and use the money to pay off maturing foreign loans, Finance Ministry Secretary SR Attygalle said on Thursday.

Sri Lanka`s three state banks will borrow up to $1 billion from foreign sources before the end of 2018 and use the money to pay off maturing foreign loans, Finance Ministry Secretary SR Attygalle said on Thursday. The move comes as Sri Lanka faces a worsening political crisis with a newly appointed government refusing to resign despite losing two confidence votes in parliament. The government is now trying to shore up a badly shaken investor confidence which is reflected in the decision by Moody`s Investors Service to downgrade its rating deeper into junk territory on Tuesday. The Sri Lankan rupee has fallen to record lows in recent days and its dollar bond yields have spiked. The island nation is scheduled to repay more than $5.8 billion, including $1.54 billion in interest payments, in the next 12 months, the central bank`s latest data showed. "The state banks will borrow through 1- to 3-year maturity bonds and money can be used to repay foreign loans next year. We expect there could be a slight increase in borrowing costs due to Moody`s rating downgrade," Attygalle told Reuters. The state banks can borrow on their own balance sheets but if the government gives a sovereign guarantee the loans may require parliamentary approval. That would be difficult to get as Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa does not have majority support in parliament. President Maithripala Sirisena`s sacking of prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and his replacement by Rajapaksa last month, amid the competing influences of China and India, have shattered the island`s fragile ruling coalition. Bank of Ceylon, People`s Bank, and National Savings Bank will conduct the borrowing through syndicated loans. Eran Wickramaratne, who was a junior finance minister in the government of the deposed prime minister Wickremesinghe, said the previous administration had not planned to use the state banks for borrowing overseas this year. It was concerned that such borrowings would weaken the state banks, he said. The previous Rajapaksa-led government did give sovereign guarantees for state bank loans in 2013. National Savings Bank had borrowed $750 million through an international five-year bond in 2013. Analysts say Sri Lanka will have to borrow at "very expensive" rates on international markets because of the political uncertainty.

Sri Lanka state banks to borrow up to $1 billion abroad before end of 2018

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

Sri Lankan police reversed on Tuesday a decision sacking a top detective investigating a string of high-profile gruesome cases involving the rich and powerful, following intense protests.

The island nation has been politically paralysed since October 26 when President Maithripala Sirisena controversially sacked prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and replaced him with former rival Mahinda Rajapakse.

Removing detective Nishantha Silva was seen as the latest twist in the ongoing crisis as Sirisena struck up a new alliance with Rajapakse.

An internal memo by police chief Pujith Jayasundara -- seen by AFP -- said that Silva was being transferred back to the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) to meet "urgent service requirements".

Jayasundara had removed Silva on Sunday.

This came after Silva had secured a court order to arrest Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne, the country's most senior military officer.

Wijegunaratne is accused of protecting a navy intelligence officer who is the main accused in the abduction and killing of 11 children between 2008 and 2009.

Despite the court order, Wijegunaratne is evading arrest while holding on to his official position. He denies the charges.

Silva'a removal sparked a chorus of protest.

He is also lead investigator in several other high-profile cases involving the family of former president Rajapakse.

Silva was also investigating the 2009 assassination of high-profile editor Lasantha Wickrematunga. Military intelligence has been implicated in that killing, which drew widespread international condemnation.

Following Silva's removal, Wickrematunga's Melbourne-based daughter Ahimsa in a scathing open letter accused President Sirisena of sabotaging the investigation.

"Mr. President, if you try to stand in the way of justice for my father and other victims of brutality, you will fail," Ahimsa said in her four-page letter, released to the media on Tuesday before Silva's reinstatement.

Sri Lankan police reversed on Tuesday a decision sacking a top detective investigating a string of high-profile gruesome cases involving the rich and powerful, following intense protests.

Sri Lankan police reversed on Tuesday a decision sacking a top detective investigating a string of high-profile gruesome cases involving the rich and powerful, following intense protests. The island nation has been politically paralysed since October 26 when President Maithripala Sirisena controversially sacked prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and replaced him with former rival Mahinda Rajapakse. Removing detective Nishantha Silva was seen as the latest twist in the ongoing crisis as Sirisena struck up a new alliance with Rajapakse. An internal memo by police chief Pujith Jayasundara -- seen by AFP -- said that Silva was being transferred back to the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) to meet "urgent service requirements". Jayasundara had removed Silva on Sunday. This came after Silva had secured a court order to arrest Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne, the country's most senior military officer. Wijegunaratne is accused of protecting a navy intelligence officer who is the main accused in the abduction and killing of 11 children between 2008 and 2009. Despite the court order, Wijegunaratne is evading arrest while holding on to his official position. He denies the charges. Silva'a removal sparked a chorus of protest. He is also lead investigator in several other high-profile cases involving the family of former president Rajapakse. Silva was also investigating the 2009 assassination of high-profile editor Lasantha Wickrematunga. Military intelligence has been implicated in that killing, which drew widespread international condemnation. Following Silva's removal, Wickrematunga's Melbourne-based daughter Ahimsa in a scathing open letter accused President Sirisena of sabotaging the investigation. "Mr. President, if you try to stand in the way of justice for my father and other victims of brutality, you will fail," Ahimsa said in her four-page letter, released to the media on Tuesday before Silva's reinstatement.

Sri Lanka reinstates top detective after outcry

An all-party meeting called by Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena failed to make any breakthrough on Sunday to end the raging political crisis set off by his controversial decision to remove prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe last month.&nbsp;

The crisis erupted when President Sirisena suddenly announced on October 26 that he had sacked prime minister Wickremesinghe and installed ex-strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa in his place.&nbsp;

Sirisena later dissolved Parliament, almost 20 months before its term was to end, and ordered snap election. The Supreme Court on Tuesday overturned President Sirisena's decision to dissolve Parliament and halted the preparations for snap polls on January 5.

The crisis talks came after Sri Lanka's parliament witnessed unprecedented violence as lawmakers threw furniture and chilli powder at each other. The lawmakers on Friday approved a second vote of no confidence against Rajapaksa but Sirisena refused to accept it, saying his advice was not followed.&nbsp;

Sirisena on Sunday called an all-party meeting which ended without making breakthrough, Wickremsinghe's United National Party (UNP) said.

This was the first time that Sirisena, Wickremsinghe and Rajapaksa met face to face since the crisis erupted on October 26.

Wickremesinghe has maintained that his sacking by Sirisena was unconstitutional and illegal and he was still the prime minister.&nbsp;

"We placed our cards on the table. We told Rajapaska that if the Speaker's rulings are wrong, they can move a motion to challenge it and get it passed. Response from President Sirisena was nil," Lakshman Kiriella, a senior UNP leader, said after talks which lasted for over 2 hours.

"We told President we have the majority. We are in a position to present the affidavits we signed," Ajith P Perera, another UNP leader said.

The JVP or the People's Liberation Front stayed away from Sunday's meeting. The party in a letter to Sirisena said that he was the creator of the crisis so he should end it. The party said it had no reason to attend the meeting.&nbsp;

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, who on Wednesday announced there is no prime minister or government following a no-confidence motion against disputed prime minister Rajapaksa, also boycotted the meeting.

Sirisena and Jayasuriya are at loggerheads ever since Jayasuriya decided to summon parliament on November 14 despite Sirisena's dissolution of the the assembly to hold fresh elections.&nbsp;

The chaos on Friday in Parliament forced the Speaker Jayasuriya to summon police inside the House. Jayasuriya, using a microphone, conducted the proceedings while standing on the floor of Parliament, which for the second time passed a no-confidence motion against Rajapaksa and his government by a voice vote.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Jayasuriya first offered to take the vote by name, but was unable to do so because of the commotion and opted for a voice vote. He then adjourned the house until Monday.

After the second vote against Rajapakse, Wickremesinghe demanded that his government be restored, but there has been no response from Sirisena yet.

Wickremesinghe's party meanwhile asked Facebook to safeguard the identity of its supporters on the social media platform, fearing information sharing with what it calls the country's "illegal" government can lead to a crackdown against the users.&nbsp;

An all-party meeting called by Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena failed to make any breakthrough on Sunday to end the raging political crisis set off by his controversial decision to remove prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe last month.

An all-party meeting called by Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena failed to make any breakthrough on Sunday to end the raging political crisis set off by his controversial decision to remove prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe last month. The crisis erupted when President Sirisena suddenly announced on October 26 that he had sacked prime minister Wickremesinghe and installed ex-strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa in his place. Sirisena later dissolved Parliament, almost 20 months before its term was to end, and ordered snap election. The Supreme Court on Tuesday overturned President Sirisena's decision to dissolve Parliament and halted the preparations for snap polls on January 5. The crisis talks came after Sri Lanka's parliament witnessed unprecedented violence as lawmakers threw furniture and chilli powder at each other. The lawmakers on Friday approved a second vote of no confidence against Rajapaksa but Sirisena refused to accept it, saying his advice was not followed. Sirisena on Sunday called an all-party meeting which ended without making breakthrough, Wickremsinghe's United National Party (UNP) said. This was the first time that Sirisena, Wickremsinghe and Rajapaksa met face to face since the crisis erupted on October 26. Wickremesinghe has maintained that his sacking by Sirisena was unconstitutional and illegal and he was still the prime minister. "We placed our cards on the table. We told Rajapaska that if the Speaker's rulings are wrong, they can move a motion to challenge it and get it passed. Response from President Sirisena was nil," Lakshman Kiriella, a senior UNP leader, said after talks which lasted for over 2 hours. "We told President we have the majority. We are in a position to present the affidavits we signed," Ajith P Perera, another UNP leader said. The JVP or the People's Liberation Front stayed away from Sunday's meeting. The party in a letter to Sirisena said that he was the creator of the crisis so he should end it. The party said it had no reason to attend the meeting. Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, who on Wednesday announced there is no prime minister or government following a no-confidence motion against disputed prime minister Rajapaksa, also boycotted the meeting. Sirisena and Jayasuriya are at loggerheads ever since Jayasuriya decided to summon parliament on November 14 despite Sirisena's dissolution of the the assembly to hold fresh elections. The chaos on Friday in Parliament forced the Speaker Jayasuriya to summon police inside the House. Jayasuriya, using a microphone, conducted the proceedings while standing on the floor of Parliament, which for the second time passed a no-confidence motion against Rajapaksa and his government by a voice vote. Jayasuriya first offered to take the vote by name, but was unable to do so because of the commotion and opted for a voice vote. He then adjourned the house until Monday. After the second vote against Rajapakse, Wickremesinghe demanded that his government be restored, but there has been no response from Sirisena yet. Wickremesinghe's party meanwhile asked Facebook to safeguard the identity of its supporters on the social media platform, fearing information sharing with what it calls the country's "illegal" government can lead to a crackdown against the users.

Sri Lanka crisis: President Maithripala Sirisena's all-party crisis talk fails to end political stalemate

Sri Lanka's largest political party Saturday asked Facebook to protect the identity of its supporters, fearing a crackdown by what it called the "illegal" government.

The Indian Ocean nation has been in crisis since last month with two men claiming to be prime minister, MPs brawling in parliament and the administration paralysed.

It began on October 26 when President Maithripala Sirisena sacked Ranil Wickremesinghe as premier and replaced him with former strongman Mahinda Rajapakse.

In chaotic scenes in parliament this week, Rajapakse lost two votes of no confidence but he is refusing to go and Sirisena has yet to acknowledge the motions.

On Saturday Wickremesinghe's United National Party (UNP) wrote to Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg asking the US firm not to cooperate with Rajapakse's administration.

"We urge Facebook to refrain from disclosing information about... users of the platform to any officials of the illegal government unless it is properly sanctioned by a court of law," the UNP said.

The UNP had also complained that its official page was blocked by Facebook on Thursday ahead of a mass rally it organised to express solidarity with Wickremesinghe, who insists he is still prime minister.

Sirisena ordered a ban on Facebook across Sri Lanka in March after blaming it for spreading hate speech and fuelling intercommunal violence that led to the deaths of three people and destruction of property.

Since then, Facebook had said it was deploying more staff to identify and remove inflammatory material from Sri Lankan users.

This week Sri Lankans had to rely on social media to watch their lawmakers fighting and throwing chilli powder after the main telecommunications company stopped its live broadcast.

Sri Lanka's largest political party Saturday asked Facebook to protect the identity of its supporters, fearing a crackdown by what it called the "illegal" government.

Sri Lanka's largest political party Saturday asked Facebook to protect the identity of its supporters, fearing a crackdown by what it called the "illegal" government. The Indian Ocean nation has been in crisis since last month with two men claiming to be prime minister, MPs brawling in parliament and the administration paralysed. It began on October 26 when President Maithripala Sirisena sacked Ranil Wickremesinghe as premier and replaced him with former strongman Mahinda Rajapakse. In chaotic scenes in parliament this week, Rajapakse lost two votes of no confidence but he is refusing to go and Sirisena has yet to acknowledge the motions. On Saturday Wickremesinghe's United National Party (UNP) wrote to Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg asking the US firm not to cooperate with Rajapakse's administration. "We urge Facebook to refrain from disclosing information about... users of the platform to any officials of the illegal government unless it is properly sanctioned by a court of law," the UNP said. The UNP had also complained that its official page was blocked by Facebook on Thursday ahead of a mass rally it organised to express solidarity with Wickremesinghe, who insists he is still prime minister. Sirisena ordered a ban on Facebook across Sri Lanka in March after blaming it for spreading hate speech and fuelling intercommunal violence that led to the deaths of three people and destruction of property. Since then, Facebook had said it was deploying more staff to identify and remove inflammatory material from Sri Lankan users. This week Sri Lankans had to rely on social media to watch their lawmakers fighting and throwing chilli powder after the main telecommunications company stopped its live broadcast.

Facebook asked to protect users in simmering Sri Lanka

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/president-sirisena-rejects-lankan-parliaments-no-confidence-motion-against-rajapaksa-177417">President Sirisena rejects Lankan Parliament's no-confidence motion against Rajapaksa</a>

A day after the Sri Lankan Parliament passed a no-confidence &nbsp;motion against prime minister Rajapaksa, President Sirisena said the Parliament "tried to override the Constitutional powers of the president and the judiciary."

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/president-trump-fires-senior-advisor-criticized-by-first-lady-melania-177395">President Trump fires senior advisor criticised by first lady Melania</a>

An angry Donald Trump removed a senior advisor Wednesday after First Lady Melania Trump demanded her sacking, with more heads set to roll in a White House reshuffle triggered by infighting and setbacks in the midterm elections.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-pm-narendra-modi-delivers-the-keynote-address-at-fintech-festival-177192">Live: PM Modi attends India-ASEAN breakfast meeting</a>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with other leaders participated in the 16th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-India Breakfast Summit, followed by the 13th East Asia Summit in Singapore on Thursday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/troops-on-alert-as-central-american-migrant-caravan-reaches-us-border-177415">Troops on alert as central American 'migrant caravan' reaches US border</a>

As US defence secretary Jim Mattis visited troops at the border, the so-called migrant caravan comprising of hundreds of central Americans arrived at the US southern border on Thursday.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/fuel-prices-slashed-petrol-at-rs-7728-per-litre-in-delhi-rs-8220-in-mumbai-177402">Fuel prices drop in Delhi, Mumbai as global prices continue downward spiral</a>

The fuel prices continued to decline on Thursday with price of petrol reaching Rs 77.28 per litre in Delhi, 0.15 paise lower from Wednesday.

In Mumbai, petrol is being sold at Rs 82.20 per litre after a decrease of 0.14 paise.

President Sirisena rejects Lankan Parliament's no-confidence motion against Rajapaksa A day after the Sri Lankan Parliament passed a no-confidence motion against prime minister Rajapaksa, President Sirisena said the Parliament "tried to override the Constitutional powers of the president and the judiciary.

President Sirisena rejects Lankan Parliament's no-confidence motion against Rajapaksa A day after the Sri Lankan Parliament passed a no-confidence motion against prime minister Rajapaksa, President Sirisena said the Parliament "tried to override the Constitutional powers of the president and the judiciary." President Trump fires senior advisor criticised by first lady Melania An angry Donald Trump removed a senior advisor Wednesday after First Lady Melania Trump demanded her sacking, with more heads set to roll in a White House reshuffle triggered by infighting and setbacks in the midterm elections. Live: PM Modi attends India-ASEAN breakfast meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with other leaders participated in the 16th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-India Breakfast Summit, followed by the 13th East Asia Summit in Singapore on Thursday. Troops on alert as central American 'migrant caravan' reaches US border As US defence secretary Jim Mattis visited troops at the border, the so-called migrant caravan comprising of hundreds of central Americans arrived at the US southern border on Thursday. Fuel prices drop in Delhi, Mumbai as global prices continue downward spiral The fuel prices continued to decline on Thursday with price of petrol reaching Rs 77.28 per litre in Delhi, 0.15 paise lower from Wednesday. In Mumbai, petrol is being sold at Rs 82.20 per litre after a decrease of 0.14 paise.

A day after the Sri Lankan <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/parliament-speaker-warns-of-bloodbath-in-sri-lanka-crisis-174162">Parliament passed a no-confidence </a>&nbsp;motion against prime minister Rajapaksa, President Sirisena said the Parliament "tried to override the Constitutional powers of the president and the judiciary."

The Lankan president said Speaker Karu Jayasuirya 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 president said he had appointed Rajapaksa as the leader of the UNP who had 41 seats in Parliament. He rejected the Speakers decision on the outcome of the no-confidence motion.

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.

After the court verdict, Speaker Jayasuriya had summoned Parliament's session for Wednesday morning. Wickremesinghe maintained that his sacking by Sirisena was unconstitutional and illegal and he was still the prime minister.

The Lankan president alleged that the Speaker had obtained signatures some time back and the date of the motion of no-confidence was changed on Wednesday to make it look like a new document.

"President has the full power to appoint the prime minister," Sirisena insisted.

The Lankan Parliament will meet again today after the Speaker adjourned the House on Wednesday.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/st3BTCmPh10" width="560"></iframe>

A day after the Sri Lankan Parliament passed a no-confidence motion against prime minister Rajapaksa, President Sirisena said the Parliament "tried to override the Constitutional powers of the president and the judiciary.

A day after the Sri Lankan Parliament passed a no-confidence motion against prime minister Rajapaksa, President Sirisena said the Parliament "tried to override the Constitutional powers of the president and the judiciary." The Lankan president said Speaker Karu Jayasuirya 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 president said he had appointed Rajapaksa as the leader of the UNP who had 41 seats in Parliament. He rejected the Speakers decision on the outcome of the no-confidence motion. 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. After the court verdict, Speaker Jayasuriya had summoned Parliament's session for Wednesday morning. Wickremesinghe maintained that his sacking by Sirisena was unconstitutional and illegal and he was still the prime minister. The Lankan president alleged that the Speaker had obtained signatures some time back and the date of the motion of no-confidence was changed on Wednesday to make it look like a new document. "President has the full power to appoint the prime minister," Sirisena insisted. The Lankan Parliament will meet again today after the Speaker adjourned the House on Wednesday.

President Sirisena rejects Lankan Parliament's no-confidence motion against Rajapaksa

In a major setback to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/india-and-china-nervous-spectators-in-sri-lanka-crisis-175058">President Maithripala Sirisena</a>, the Sri Lankan Parliament on Wednesday passed a "no-confidence motion"&nbsp;against the government headed by his controversially-appointed prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The Parliament 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.

Parliament Speaker Karu Jayasuriya announced that a majority of the 225-member assembly supported the no-confidence motion against Rajapaksa, who was appointed by President Sirisena as prime minister on October 26 in place of Wickremesinghe.

"According to the voice, I recognise that the government has no majority," Jayasuriya announced in the House as Rajapaksa supporters protested. 
He gave the ruling after the no-confidence motion was taken for a vote. The Speaker calculated the votes based on the voices he heard as Rajapaksa supporters disrupted the proceedings.

Jayasuriya later adjourned the House until 10 am on Thursday.

Wickremesinghe's United National Party (UNP) Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa later told reporters that the government clearly lost the floor test. 
He said Prime Minister Rajapaksa must now step down as he does not have majority support in Parliament.

The unexpected session on Wednesday morning comes a day after the Supreme Court on Tuesday overturned President Sirisena's controversial decision to dissolve Parliament and halted the preparations for snap polls on January 5.

In its ruling, the apex court had said Sirisena's dissolution of Parliament will be suspended until December 7 and it will consider all the petitions filed on the President's decision next month before giving a final ruling.

After the court verdict, Speaker Jayasuriya summoned Parliament's session for Thursday&nbsp;morning.

Sirisena dissolved Parliament after it became clear that he lacked support from lawmakers to instal Rajapaksa as the new Prime Minister following his sacking of Wickremesinghe as premier.

While sacking prime minister Wickremesinghe, president Sirisena had also suspended Parliament till November 16. He, however, advanced the convening of the House to November 14 amid international and domestic pressure against the move.

Major political parties, including the United National Party and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna and an election commission member Ratnajeevan Hoole, on Monday dragged Sirisena to the Supreme Court, challenging his decision by filing fundamental rights petitions against the move, which they said violated the Constitution.

Sirisena dissolved Parliament last week, almost 20 months before its term was to end, and ordered snap election on January 5, plunging the country's into an unprecedented political and constitutional crises.

Wickremesinghe has maintained that his sacking by Sirisena was unconstitutional and illegal and he was still the prime minister.

Wickremesinghe had demanded that Parliament be convened to hold a vote among the lawmakers to decide who enjoyed majority support in Parliament to be the Prime Minister.

As pressure grew and both sides claimed they had the numbers, the President dissolved Parliament and called for elections.

Rajapaksa needed the support of minimum 113 parliamentarians in the 225-member House to prove his majority.

Sirisena on Sunday stoutly defended his move to dissolve Parliament, saying it was taken to prevent clashes among rival lawmakers. He said there were reports that politicians would clash during the floor test, which was due on November 14.

Rajapaksa, 72, who ruled Lanka for a nearly decades 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.

In a major setback to President Maithripala Sirisena, the Sri Lankan Parliament on Wednesday passed a "no-confidence motion" against the government headed by his controversially-appointed prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

In a major setback to President Maithripala Sirisena, the Sri Lankan Parliament on Wednesday passed a "no-confidence motion" against the government headed by his controversially-appointed prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. The Parliament 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. Parliament Speaker Karu Jayasuriya announced that a majority of the 225-member assembly supported the no-confidence motion against Rajapaksa, who was appointed by President Sirisena as prime minister on October 26 in place of Wickremesinghe. "According to the voice, I recognise that the government has no majority," Jayasuriya announced in the House as Rajapaksa supporters protested. He gave the ruling after the no-confidence motion was taken for a vote. The Speaker calculated the votes based on the voices he heard as Rajapaksa supporters disrupted the proceedings. Jayasuriya later adjourned the House until 10 am on Thursday. Wickremesinghe's United National Party (UNP) Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa later told reporters that the government clearly lost the floor test. He said Prime Minister Rajapaksa must now step down as he does not have majority support in Parliament. The unexpected session on Wednesday morning comes a day after the Supreme Court on Tuesday overturned President Sirisena's controversial decision to dissolve Parliament and halted the preparations for snap polls on January 5. In its ruling, the apex court had said Sirisena's dissolution of Parliament will be suspended until December 7 and it will consider all the petitions filed on the President's decision next month before giving a final ruling. After the court verdict, Speaker Jayasuriya summoned Parliament's session for Thursday morning. Sirisena dissolved Parliament after it became clear that he lacked support from lawmakers to instal Rajapaksa as the new Prime Minister following his sacking of Wickremesinghe as premier. While sacking prime minister Wickremesinghe, president Sirisena had also suspended Parliament till November 16. He, however, advanced the convening of the House to November 14 amid international and domestic pressure against the move. Major political parties, including the United National Party and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna and an election commission member Ratnajeevan Hoole, on Monday dragged Sirisena to the Supreme Court, challenging his decision by filing fundamental rights petitions against the move, which they said violated the Constitution. Sirisena dissolved Parliament last week, almost 20 months before its term was to end, and ordered snap election on January 5, plunging the country's into an unprecedented political and constitutional crises. Wickremesinghe has maintained that his sacking by Sirisena was unconstitutional and illegal and he was still the prime minister. Wickremesinghe had demanded that Parliament be convened to hold a vote among the lawmakers to decide who enjoyed majority support in Parliament to be the Prime Minister. As pressure grew and both sides claimed they had the numbers, the President dissolved Parliament and called for elections. Rajapaksa needed the support of minimum 113 parliamentarians in the 225-member House to prove his majority. Sirisena on Sunday stoutly defended his move to dissolve Parliament, saying it was taken to prevent clashes among rival lawmakers. He said there were reports that politicians would clash during the floor test, which was due on November 14. Rajapaksa, 72, who ruled Lanka for a nearly decades 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.

Sri Lanka Parliament votes against Rajapaksa; Speaker adjourns House

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/ousted-sri-lanka-pm-wickramasinghe-calls-for-alliance-to-save-the-country-177105">Sri Lanka's parliament</a> will meet under tight security Wednesday after the top court ruled its dissolution illegal and opened the door to a vote on which of two rival prime ministers has the support to rule.

Sri Lanka has been locked in a power struggle since the president sacked prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on October 26 and replaced him with former strongman president Mahinda Rajapakse.&nbsp;

On Tuesday the Supreme Court overruled President Maithripala Sirisena's dissolution of parliament, and halted preparations for a snap election, in a major boost for the ousted prime minister.&nbsp;

Wickremesinghe is confident he can command a majority and wants a vote on the floor of the 225-member assembly to determine the legitimacy of the government installed by presidential diktat.

"Speaker Karu Jayasuriya ordered the police to ensure that MPs have free access to parliament," a spokesman for the Speaker told AFP. "There will be tight security."

Thousands of armed police have been deployed along the key approach roads to parliament, which is located on a man-made lake island, with several anti-riot units on standby.

Parliament officials fear that supporters of Rajapakse's party may try to stop legislators from getting to parliament.

However, by early Wednesday there were no large crowds and only small pockets of Wickremesinghe supporters gathered near the parliament complex.

Rajapakse's party was divided Tuesday on facing a test in parliament. His legislator son Namal Rajapakse said they will attend the legislature, but other party seniors said they would not.

Sirisena sacked the legislature after his party admitted that they did not have an absolute majority despite engineering the defections of eight legislators from Wickremesinghe's party.

Since then, at least two legislators have ditched Rajapakse and joined Wickremesinghe's UNP party which insists it has a comfortable majority in the House.&nbsp;

Wickremesinghe, who insists he is still the prime minister, has refused to vacate the official Temple Trees residence which is a symbol of state power in the island.

The power struggle has crippled the work of the administration, according to lawmakers on both sides.

Sri Lanka's parliament will meet under tight security Wednesday after the top court ruled its dissolution illegal and opened the door to a vote on which of two rival prime ministers has the support to rule.

Sri Lanka's parliament will meet under tight security Wednesday after the top court ruled its dissolution illegal and opened the door to a vote on which of two rival prime ministers has the support to rule. Sri Lanka has been locked in a power struggle since the president sacked prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on October 26 and replaced him with former strongman president Mahinda Rajapakse. On Tuesday the Supreme Court overruled President Maithripala Sirisena's dissolution of parliament, and halted preparations for a snap election, in a major boost for the ousted prime minister. Wickremesinghe is confident he can command a majority and wants a vote on the floor of the 225-member assembly to determine the legitimacy of the government installed by presidential diktat. "Speaker Karu Jayasuriya ordered the police to ensure that MPs have free access to parliament," a spokesman for the Speaker told AFP. "There will be tight security." Thousands of armed police have been deployed along the key approach roads to parliament, which is located on a man-made lake island, with several anti-riot units on standby. Parliament officials fear that supporters of Rajapakse's party may try to stop legislators from getting to parliament. However, by early Wednesday there were no large crowds and only small pockets of Wickremesinghe supporters gathered near the parliament complex. Rajapakse's party was divided Tuesday on facing a test in parliament. His legislator son Namal Rajapakse said they will attend the legislature, but other party seniors said they would not. Sirisena sacked the legislature after his party admitted that they did not have an absolute majority despite engineering the defections of eight legislators from Wickremesinghe's party. Since then, at least two legislators have ditched Rajapakse and joined Wickremesinghe's UNP party which insists it has a comfortable majority in the House. Wickremesinghe, who insists he is still the prime minister, has refused to vacate the official Temple Trees residence which is a symbol of state power in the island. The power struggle has crippled the work of the administration, according to lawmakers on both sides.

Sri Lanka Parliament to meet today amid political crisis

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

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/ousted-sri-lanka-pm-wickramasinghe-calls-for-alliance-to-save-the-country-177105">Sri Lanka Supreme Court overturns President Sirisena's decision to dissolve parliament</a>

The Sri Lankan Supreme Court on Tuesday overturned President Maithripala Sirisena's decision to dissolve the island nation's parliament.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/flipkart-ceo-binny-bansal-resigns-after-misconduct-probe-walmart-177091">Flipkart CEO Binny Bansal resigns after allegations of serious personal misconduct: Walmart</a>

Walmart on Tuesday announced that Flipkart CEO Binny Bansal has resigned over allegations of serious personal misconduct.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-doesnt-know-country-run-by-people-not-by-one-man-rahul-177092">Modi doesn't know country run by people, not by one man: Rahul Gandhi</a>

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday launched a diatribe against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of "misleading" people on India's development.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/gulberg-massacre-supreme-court-to-hear-plea-challenging-clean-chit-given-to-pm-modi-177080">Gulberg massacre: On Monday, SC to hear </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/gulberg-massacre-supreme-court-to-hear-plea-challenging-clean-chit-given-to-pm-modi-177080">plea</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/gulberg-massacre-supreme-court-to-hear-plea-challenging-clean-chit-given-to-pm-modi-177080"> challenging clean chit given to PM Modi</a>

The Supreme Court will on Monday, November 19 hear Zakia Jafri's plea challenging the clean chit given to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, other top politicians, and bureaucrats in the Gulberg massacre case.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sabarimala-case-sc-defers-hear-review-petitions-on-january-22-refuses-to-stay-earlier-verdict-177077">Sabarimala case: SC to hear review petitions on January 22, refuses to stay earlier verdict</a>

The Supreme Court on Tuesday stated that it would hear the review petitions against its Sabarimala verdict on January 22, adding that it will be an open court hearing. The apex court refused to stay its earlier verdict in the case.

Sri Lanka Supreme Court overturns President Sirisena's decision to dissolve parliament The Sri Lankan Supreme Court on Tuesday overturned President Maithripala Sirisena's decision to dissolve the island nation's parliament.

Sri Lanka Supreme Court overturns President Sirisena's decision to dissolve parliament The Sri Lankan Supreme Court on Tuesday overturned President Maithripala Sirisena's decision to dissolve the island nation's parliament. Flipkart CEO Binny Bansal resigns after allegations of serious personal misconduct: Walmart Walmart on Tuesday announced that Flipkart CEO Binny Bansal has resigned over allegations of serious personal misconduct. Modi doesn't know country run by people, not by one man: Rahul Gandhi Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday launched a diatribe against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of "misleading" people on India's development. Gulberg massacre: On Monday, SC to hear plea challenging clean chit given to PM Modi The Supreme Court will on Monday, November 19 hear Zakia Jafri's plea challenging the clean chit given to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, other top politicians, and bureaucrats in the Gulberg massacre case. Sabarimala case: SC to hear review petitions on January 22, refuses to stay earlier verdict The Supreme Court on Tuesday stated that it would hear the review petitions against its Sabarimala verdict on January 22, adding that it will be an open court hearing. The apex court refused to stay its earlier verdict in the case.

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 former strongman leader Mahinda Rajapaksa&nbsp;Sunday vowed snap elections would go ahead to "seek a mandate from the people" after the president's sacking of parliament plunged the country deeper into political turmoil.

President Maithripala Sirisena triggered the crisis two weeks ago by sacking prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and replacing him with Rajapaksa&nbsp;in a power swap his rivals say is illegal.

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.

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.

Rajapaksa, a former president who led Sri Lanka with an iron fist for a decade, said "no one" could stop the polls going ahead.

"The election will go ahead and I am confident we will sweep the election," he told reporters Sunday in his first remarks since the polls were called.

"The international community must realise that this is democracy. They must understand our position. We are seeking a mandate from the people."

Rajapaksa&nbsp;said he was meeting with lawyers ahead of a slew of legal challenges in the Supreme Court to his appointment and the polls.

His rival Wickremesinghe insists he still heads the government and has refused to vacate the prime minister's official residence in Colombo.

Sirisena dissolved parliament less than a week before the legislature was expected to vote on either Rajapaksa&nbsp;and Wickremesinghe.

Sirisena's party had acknowledged that it did not have a majority in the 225-member assembly, despite arranging eight defections from Wickremesinghe's party.

Only China has recognised Rajapaksa's appointment as prime minister.

The United States has led a chorus of international voices expressing concern over threats to democracy in the island of 21 million people strategically located in the Indian Ocean.

Election monitors have questioned the legality of the election, which comes nearly two years ahead of schedule.&nbsp;

The People's Action for Free and Fair Elections, one of two officially sanctioned election monitoring groups, said it believed Sirisena's actions were unconstitutional.

"As an election monitoring group we can't oppose a poll, but there are serious questions about the validity of the president's action in calling this election," its chief Rohana Hettiarachchi told AFP.

He said he had already asked the independent Elections Commission to seek an opinion from the attorney general and an order from the Supreme Court. 
&nbsp;

Sri Lanka's former strongman leader Mahinda Rajapaksa Sunday vowed snap elections would go ahead to "seek a mandate from the people" after the president's sacking of parliament plunged the country deeper into political turmoil.

Sri Lanka's former strongman leader Mahinda Rajapaksa Sunday vowed snap elections would go ahead to "seek a mandate from the people" after the president's sacking of parliament plunged the country deeper into political turmoil. President Maithripala Sirisena triggered the crisis two weeks ago by sacking prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and replacing him with Rajapaksa in a power swap his rivals say is illegal. 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. 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. Rajapaksa, a former president who led Sri Lanka with an iron fist for a decade, said "no one" could stop the polls going ahead. "The election will go ahead and I am confident we will sweep the election," he told reporters Sunday in his first remarks since the polls were called. "The international community must realise that this is democracy. They must understand our position. We are seeking a mandate from the people." Rajapaksa said he was meeting with lawyers ahead of a slew of legal challenges in the Supreme Court to his appointment and the polls. His rival Wickremesinghe insists he still heads the government and has refused to vacate the prime minister's official residence in Colombo. Sirisena dissolved parliament less than a week before the legislature was expected to vote on either Rajapaksa and Wickremesinghe. Sirisena's party had acknowledged that it did not have a majority in the 225-member assembly, despite arranging eight defections from Wickremesinghe's party. Only China has recognised Rajapaksa's appointment as prime minister. The United States has led a chorus of international voices expressing concern over threats to democracy in the island of 21 million people strategically located in the Indian Ocean. Election monitors have questioned the legality of the election, which comes nearly two years ahead of schedule. The People's Action for Free and Fair Elections, one of two officially sanctioned election monitoring groups, said it believed Sirisena's actions were unconstitutional. "As an election monitoring group we can't oppose a poll, but there are serious questions about the validity of the president's action in calling this election," its chief Rohana Hettiarachchi told AFP. He said he had already asked the independent Elections Commission to seek an opinion from the attorney general and an order from the Supreme Court.

Election will go ahead, I am confident we will sweep the polls: Rajapaksa

Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena`s decision to dissolve parliament, worsening an already major political crisis, has drawn criticism from Western powers, including the United States and Britain.

Sirisena dissolved parliament on Friday night, only five days before it was due to reconvene and he was in danger of losing a vote of no confidence. He has also called a general election for Jan. 5.&nbsp;

The president triggered an intense power struggle when he sacked prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe late last month and appointed the island`s former leader, Mahinda Rajapaksa, a pro-China strongman ousted by Sirisena in 2015, in his place.

Sirisena`s rivals are set to challenge his decision, which they describe as illegal and unconstitutional, in the Supreme Court on Monday.&nbsp;

The US&nbsp;Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs said in a tweet that the United States was "deeply concerned by news the Sri Lanka Parliament will be dissolved, further deepening the political crisis". It said democracy needed to be respected to ensure stability and prosperity.

Mark Field, the British minister of State for Asia and the Pacific, tweeted his concern about the dissolution of parliament days before it was due to be reconvened.

"As a friend of Sri Lanka, the UK calls on all parties to uphold the constitution and respect democratic institutions and processes," Field said.

Canada`s Foreign Policy twitter feed said that it was "deeply concerned" about the decision and referred to the risks to reconciliation work after the nation`s civil war.

"This further political uncertainty is corrosive to Sri Lanka’s democratic future and its commitments on reconciliation and accountability," it said.

Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne expressed both concern and disappointment in a statement, saying the move "undermines Sri Lanka`s long democratic tradition and poses a risk to its stability and prosperity".

Sirisena has said he fired Wickremesinghe because the prime minister was trying to implement "a new, extreme liberal political concept by giving more priority for foreign policies and neglecting the local people`s sentiment".

India and the West have raised concerns over Rajapaksa`s close ties with China. Beijing loaned Sri Lanka billions of dollars for infrastructure projects when Rajapaksa was president between 2005-2015, putting the country deep into debt.

Wickremesinghe refused to vacate the official prime minister`s residence saying he was the prime minister and had a parliamentary majority.

Before he signed the papers dissolving parliament and calling the election, Sirisena appointed allies of his and of Rajapaksa to cabinet positions.&nbsp;

Independent legal experts have told Reuters that parliament could be dissolved only in early 2020, which would be four-and-half-years from the first sitting of the current parliament. The only other legal way would be through a referendum, or with the consent of two thirds of lawmakers.&nbsp;

Given those views, it was not immediately clear how Sirisena is on legal safe ground by dissolving parliament, though his legal experts have said there are provisions for him to do so.&nbsp;

Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena`s decision to dissolve parliament, worsening an already major political crisis, has drawn criticism from Western powers, including the United States and Britain.

Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena`s decision to dissolve parliament, worsening an already major political crisis, has drawn criticism from Western powers, including the United States and Britain. Sirisena dissolved parliament on Friday night, only five days before it was due to reconvene and he was in danger of losing a vote of no confidence. He has also called a general election for Jan. 5. The president triggered an intense power struggle when he sacked prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe late last month and appointed the island`s former leader, Mahinda Rajapaksa, a pro-China strongman ousted by Sirisena in 2015, in his place. Sirisena`s rivals are set to challenge his decision, which they describe as illegal and unconstitutional, in the Supreme Court on Monday. The US Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs said in a tweet that the United States was "deeply concerned by news the Sri Lanka Parliament will be dissolved, further deepening the political crisis". It said democracy needed to be respected to ensure stability and prosperity. Mark Field, the British minister of State for Asia and the Pacific, tweeted his concern about the dissolution of parliament days before it was due to be reconvened. "As a friend of Sri Lanka, the UK calls on all parties to uphold the constitution and respect democratic institutions and processes," Field said. Canada`s Foreign Policy twitter feed said that it was "deeply concerned" about the decision and referred to the risks to reconciliation work after the nation`s civil war. "This further political uncertainty is corrosive to Sri Lanka’s democratic future and its commitments on reconciliation and accountability," it said. Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne expressed both concern and disappointment in a statement, saying the move "undermines Sri Lanka`s long democratic tradition and poses a risk to its stability and prosperity". Sirisena has said he fired Wickremesinghe because the prime minister was trying to implement "a new, extreme liberal political concept by giving more priority for foreign policies and neglecting the local people`s sentiment". India and the West have raised concerns over Rajapaksa`s close ties with China. Beijing loaned Sri Lanka billions of dollars for infrastructure projects when Rajapaksa was president between 2005-2015, putting the country deep into debt. Wickremesinghe refused to vacate the official prime minister`s residence saying he was the prime minister and had a parliamentary majority. Before he signed the papers dissolving parliament and calling the election, Sirisena appointed allies of his and of Rajapaksa to cabinet positions. Independent legal experts have told Reuters that parliament could be dissolved only in early 2020, which would be four-and-half-years from the first sitting of the current parliament. The only other legal way would be through a referendum, or with the consent of two thirds of lawmakers. Given those views, it was not immediately clear how Sirisena is on legal safe ground by dissolving parliament, though his legal experts have said there are provisions for him to do so.

US and others denounce dissolution of Sri Lanka parliament by President Sirisena as undemocratic

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is attempting to guarantee authenticity as the nation's chief, after President Maithripala Sirisena selected former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his place and therefore prorogued Parliament until November 16.

Sri Lankan Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has said yesterday that he wanted a floor test in parliament to resolve the issue of two prime ministers in the country which arose following the sacking of Ranil Wickremesinghe and replacing him with Mahinda Rajapaksa.

As two prime ministers struggle to cobble up a majority, WION speaks to sacked Prime Minister- Ranil Wickremesinghe on who is to blame.

Blaming President Maithripala Sirisena for the political crisis in Sri Lanka Wickremesinghe said: Sirisena eyeing a second term and his decision led to this crisis.

"Insulting remarks made by Sirisena is a sign of desperation. I never insulted him. It shows how desperate he is," he said.

'This political crisis hurts people's right to franchise. Sri Lankans did not want Rajapaksa in power. People wanted parliamentary democracy," he added.

"I am confident of gaining a majority in parliament, I have enough support. I have the support of more than 113 lawmakers," said Ranil.

On the question of expectations from India he said that the international community wants the constitution to be followed and want parliament to convene as soon as possible.

"We can always put our economy on the right path. But it has cost us a lot. We have to tackle economic issues," said Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is attempting to guarantee authenticity as the nation's chief, after President Maithripala Sirisena selected former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his place and therefore prorogued Parliament until November 16.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is attempting to guarantee authenticity as the nation's chief, after President Maithripala Sirisena selected former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his place and therefore prorogued Parliament until November 16. Sri Lankan Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has said yesterday that he wanted a floor test in parliament to resolve the issue of two prime ministers in the country which arose following the sacking of Ranil Wickremesinghe and replacing him with Mahinda Rajapaksa. As two prime ministers struggle to cobble up a majority, WION speaks to sacked Prime Minister- Ranil Wickremesinghe on who is to blame. Blaming President Maithripala Sirisena for the political crisis in Sri Lanka Wickremesinghe said: Sirisena eyeing a second term and his decision led to this crisis. "Insulting remarks made by Sirisena is a sign of desperation. I never insulted him. It shows how desperate he is," he said. 'This political crisis hurts people's right to franchise. Sri Lankans did not want Rajapaksa in power. People wanted parliamentary democracy," he added. "I am confident of gaining a majority in parliament, I have enough support. I have the support of more than 113 lawmakers," said Ranil. On the question of expectations from India he said that the international community wants the constitution to be followed and want parliament to convene as soon as possible. "We can always put our economy on the right path. But it has cost us a lot. We have to tackle economic issues," said Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Sirisena's decision led to the political crisis in Sri Lanka: Ranil Wickremesinghe to WION

Sri Lankan Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said Wednesday he wanted a floor test in parliament to resolve the issue of two prime ministers in the country which arose following the sacking of Ranil Wickremesinghe and replacing him with Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The Speaker's remarks came two days after he slammed President Maithripala Sirisena, saying it was "anti-democratic" to sack Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and suspend the Parliament, and asserted that he will not recognise Rajapaksa as the premier unless it is proved by a floor test.

Jayasuriya said he had met party representatives to finalise the agenda for November 14 when the current suspension of parliament by President Sirisena would end.

He said the government argued that parliament should not vote for a floor test on the day and should limit its sessions to day's business.

"After giving a fair hearing to both sides, the speaker expressed his stand. The need for the determination of majority, as requested by 116 members previously in writing to suspend standing orders of parliament, after the conclusion of the day's business to allow each side to display their majorities in order to have a stable government," a statement from Jayasuriya's office said.

When contacted a Sirisena source denied that they had agreed with Jayasuriya for a floor test.

Jayasuriya, earlier in the week, said when parliament was to be reconvened he would have to consider the pre-26 October status quo with regard to the two prime ministers.

Jayasuriya's stance has caused ire among the Sirisena and Rajapaksa factions.

He accuses the Speaker of being biased towards his party, the United National Party (UNP) led by the ousted prime minister Wickremesinghe.

Sirisena suspended parliament immediately after his October 26 sacking of Wickremesinghe, a move that was being seen as to allow Rajapaksa to muster the 113 seats required for majority.

Rajapaksa has so far won 9 defections, still short of 113 to prove his majority in the 225-member House.

Wickremesinghe continues to claim he is the lawful prime minister citing the 19th amendment to the Constitution under which the president's powers to sack the Prime Minister had been stripped.

The unity government was formed in 2015 when Sirisena was elected President with Wickremesinghe's support, ending a nearly decade-long rule by Rajapaksa.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Sri Lankan Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said Wednesday he wanted a floor test in parliament to resolve the issue of two prime ministers in the country which arose following the sacking of Ranil Wickremesinghe and replacing him with Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Sri Lankan Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said Wednesday he wanted a floor test in parliament to resolve the issue of two prime ministers in the country which arose following the sacking of Ranil Wickremesinghe and replacing him with Mahinda Rajapaksa. The Speaker's remarks came two days after he slammed President Maithripala Sirisena, saying it was "anti-democratic" to sack Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and suspend the Parliament, and asserted that he will not recognise Rajapaksa as the premier unless it is proved by a floor test. Jayasuriya said he had met party representatives to finalise the agenda for November 14 when the current suspension of parliament by President Sirisena would end. He said the government argued that parliament should not vote for a floor test on the day and should limit its sessions to day's business. "After giving a fair hearing to both sides, the speaker expressed his stand. The need for the determination of majority, as requested by 116 members previously in writing to suspend standing orders of parliament, after the conclusion of the day's business to allow each side to display their majorities in order to have a stable government," a statement from Jayasuriya's office said. When contacted a Sirisena source denied that they had agreed with Jayasuriya for a floor test. Jayasuriya, earlier in the week, said when parliament was to be reconvened he would have to consider the pre-26 October status quo with regard to the two prime ministers. Jayasuriya's stance has caused ire among the Sirisena and Rajapaksa factions. He accuses the Speaker of being biased towards his party, the United National Party (UNP) led by the ousted prime minister Wickremesinghe. Sirisena suspended parliament immediately after his October 26 sacking of Wickremesinghe, a move that was being seen as to allow Rajapaksa to muster the 113 seats required for majority. Rajapaksa has so far won 9 defections, still short of 113 to prove his majority in the 225-member House. Wickremesinghe continues to claim he is the lawful prime minister citing the 19th amendment to the Constitution under which the president's powers to sack the Prime Minister had been stripped. The unity government was formed in 2015 when Sirisena was elected President with Wickremesinghe's support, ending a nearly decade-long rule by Rajapaksa.

Sri Lanka assembly Speaker presses for floor test to end political crisis

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 <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 banquet hall at Sri Lanka's ousted prime minister's official residence is packed with supporters -- many sleeping on chairs and the floor -- who have come to stand guard as he tussles for power with an old rival.

Thousands of loyalists from across the country are camped out at the Temple Trees residence in Colombo, a colonial-era bungalow where Ranil Wickremesinghe has been holed up since his shock dismissal more than a week ago.

Day and night they top up coconut oil lamps and keep jasmine-perfumed incense sticks burning in the 5,000-capacity banquet hall -- usually reserved for state dinners and VIP weddings -- while the 69-year-old plots his next move.

President Maithripala Sirisena sacked Wickremesinghe on October 26 but he has refused to accept the decision or to leave the residence so former strongman leader Mahinda Rajapakse -- who was named in his place -- can move in.

SM&nbsp;Faheed, a 73-year-old diehard supporter of Wickremesinghe's United National Party (UNP), vowed to stay there until the constitutional crisis is resolved.

"I will not leave until Ranil is given the PM's chair," Faheed said. "We are here to support him and make sure no one tries to throw him out of Temple Trees."

"If I have to, I will stay here till I die."

Wickremesinghe has asked lawmakers to vote to decide between him and Rajapakse and end the crisis, but parliament has been suspended since his sacking.

"If I win... (Rajapakse) must stand down. If he wins, I will leave Temple Trees and move away," Wickremesinghe told AFP on Friday.

But he will have trouble convincing his followers to give way.

Prayers for victory

Shakuntala Devi travelled 400 kilometres (250 miles) from the Tamil city of Jaffna in the north of the country to join the crowd that grows each day.

Volunteers bring meals to Devi and others while Buddhist monks chant prayers that are broadcast on a public address system within the premises.

Devi said she wanted to show solidarity after Wickremesinghe's government built 5,000 homes for people like her who were displaced by the civil war that ended in 2009.

"I came to show my gratitude to the prime minister," she said.

Another protester who gave her name as Sandya said: "We want to tell Sirisena: If you have any shame, call parliament and let our leader take back his seat."&nbsp;

Others in the huge crowd echoed her views, with one person saying Sri Lanka had "become the laughing stock of the world".

"Sirisena is the most ungrateful man. May he be cursed and be struck by lightning," said Jayanthi Jayewardena, an elderly supporter.

Sirisena won the presidency from Rajapakse in 2015 with the help of Wickremesinghe and his UNP. The two formed a coalition, but have since fallen out badly.&nbsp;

Matters came to a head with the sacking, which Wickremesinghe acknowledged had surprised him.

'Desperate people'

Sirisena has cut Wickremesinghe's official bodyguard retinue and pool of limousines. A depleted plain clothes contingent now keeps watch over the residence while a private cleaning company has also been hired.

A few police commandos in camouflage uniform can also be seen.&nbsp;

Legislators loyal to Wickremesinghe keep up back-to-back press conferences at the residence which has become the centre of media attention, with crowds mobbing visiting politicians and asking for selfies.

In comparison Rajapakse has remained low-key, quietly organising a campaign to win over MPs to support him when parliament eventually meets.&nbsp;

Huge sums have allegedly been offered to potential defectors and some lawmakers have already left the UNP.

Wickremesinghe, who has been speaking to local and foreign journalists while conducting talks with allies, said he was concerned that the power struggle could degenerate into street violence.

"There can be trouble in the country if this goes on," he said.&nbsp;

"We will be calling on our people not to resort to violence... but you don't know what arises in a situation like this. A few desperate people can start off a bloodbath." 
&nbsp;

The banquet hall at Sri Lanka's ousted prime minister's official residence is packed with supporters -- many sleeping on chairs and the floor -- who have come to stand guard as he tussles for power with an old rival.

The banquet hall at Sri Lanka's ousted prime minister's official residence is packed with supporters -- many sleeping on chairs and the floor -- who have come to stand guard as he tussles for power with an old rival. Thousands of loyalists from across the country are camped out at the Temple Trees residence in Colombo, a colonial-era bungalow where Ranil Wickremesinghe has been holed up since his shock dismissal more than a week ago. Day and night they top up coconut oil lamps and keep jasmine-perfumed incense sticks burning in the 5,000-capacity banquet hall -- usually reserved for state dinners and VIP weddings -- while the 69-year-old plots his next move. President Maithripala Sirisena sacked Wickremesinghe on October 26 but he has refused to accept the decision or to leave the residence so former strongman leader Mahinda Rajapakse -- who was named in his place -- can move in. SM Faheed, a 73-year-old diehard supporter of Wickremesinghe's United National Party (UNP), vowed to stay there until the constitutional crisis is resolved. "I will not leave until Ranil is given the PM's chair," Faheed said. "We are here to support him and make sure no one tries to throw him out of Temple Trees." "If I have to, I will stay here till I die." Wickremesinghe has asked lawmakers to vote to decide between him and Rajapakse and end the crisis, but parliament has been suspended since his sacking. "If I win... (Rajapakse) must stand down. If he wins, I will leave Temple Trees and move away," Wickremesinghe told AFP on Friday. But he will have trouble convincing his followers to give way. Prayers for victory Shakuntala Devi travelled 400 kilometres (250 miles) from the Tamil city of Jaffna in the north of the country to join the crowd that grows each day. Volunteers bring meals to Devi and others while Buddhist monks chant prayers that are broadcast on a public address system within the premises. Devi said she wanted to show solidarity after Wickremesinghe's government built 5,000 homes for people like her who were displaced by the civil war that ended in 2009. "I came to show my gratitude to the prime minister," she said. Another protester who gave her name as Sandya said: "We want to tell Sirisena: If you have any shame, call parliament and let our leader take back his seat." Others in the huge crowd echoed her views, with one person saying Sri Lanka had "become the laughing stock of the world". "Sirisena is the most ungrateful man. May he be cursed and be struck by lightning," said Jayanthi Jayewardena, an elderly supporter. Sirisena won the presidency from Rajapakse in 2015 with the help of Wickremesinghe and his UNP. The two formed a coalition, but have since fallen out badly. Matters came to a head with the sacking, which Wickremesinghe acknowledged had surprised him. 'Desperate people' Sirisena has cut Wickremesinghe's official bodyguard retinue and pool of limousines. A depleted plain clothes contingent now keeps watch over the residence while a private cleaning company has also been hired. A few police commandos in camouflage uniform can also be seen. Legislators loyal to Wickremesinghe keep up back-to-back press conferences at the residence which has become the centre of media attention, with crowds mobbing visiting politicians and asking for selfies. In comparison Rajapakse has remained low-key, quietly organising a campaign to win over MPs to support him when parliament eventually meets. Huge sums have allegedly been offered to potential defectors and some lawmakers have already left the UNP. Wickremesinghe, who has been speaking to local and foreign journalists while conducting talks with allies, said he was concerned that the power struggle could degenerate into street violence. "There can be trouble in the country if this goes on," he said. "We will be calling on our people not to resort to violence... but you don't know what arises in a situation like this. A few desperate people can start off a bloodbath."

Sacked Sri Lankan PM's residence becomes symbol of power struggle

Sri Lanka's sacked prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has warned time is running out to avert a "bloodbath" while voicing hope that parliament will resolve a damaging constitutional crisis in the coming days.

Wickremesinghe, who has been holed up at the prime minister's official residence for more than a week as thousands of supporters gather outside, told AFP in an interview that "desperate people" could cause chaos on the Indian Ocean island.

The 69-year-old was sacked out-of-the-blue on October 26 by President Maithripala Sirisena, with domineering former president Mahinda Rajapakse named in his place.

However Wickremesinghe refused to accept his dismissal and has not left the sprawling colonial-era Temple Trees residence -- where Buddhist monks now chant prayers outside -- since.

Sirisena also suspended parliament in an apparent bid to prevent opposition to his move, deepening the turmoil that has seen at least one man killed in a shooting last weekend linked to the power struggle.

"We will be calling on our people not to resort to violence," Wickremesinghe said late Friday. "But you don't know what arises in a situation like this.

"A few desperate people can start off a bloodbath."

His comments echoed the fears of parliament speaker Karu Jayasuriya who warned of bloodshed on the streets if a vote is not held by lawmakers to decide between the two leaders.

Wickremesinghe, head of the United National Party, already the biggest group in parliament, has also called for such a vote and is trying to rally allies to the cause.

But stopping parliament from meeting has given Rajapakse -- still popular despite his strongarm tactics to end the country's Tamil civil war and corruption allegations -- more time to try to win support.

Wickremesinghe said he hoped the showdown could be ended peacefully and expressed optimism that a solution to the crisis would soon be found.

"I feel parliament is going to prevail finally. This can't take too long. I would say in a week to 10 days at the most," he said, adding the priority was to establish parliament's "supremacy".

Wickremesinghe said two smaller parties -- the Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna and the Tamil National Alliance -- were backing his call for the legislature to meet despite obstacles placed by Sirisena.

The two parties signed a petition to the parliament speaker on Friday demanding the reconvening of the 225-member assembly on November 7.

"A majority of parliament has said all these actions (of the president) are not legitimate and not in accordance with the constitution," said Wickremesinghe.

According to the latest counts, Wickremesinghe has 103 MPs while Rajapakse and Sirisena together have 100. Most of the 22 remaining MPs are expected to back Wickremesinghe, observers said.

Street battles feared&nbsp;

A majority of legislators want Sirisena to end the suspension of parliament by Wednesday and any delay is "against the wishes of all the parties", according to the embattled Wickremesinghe.

Apart from political pressure on Sirisena, civil society groups are also stepping up agitation to ensure the constitution is respected, Wickremesinghe said.&nbsp;

After sacking his prime minister, Sirisena addressed the nation and lambasted Wickremesinghe, saying they could not work together because of serious personal and cultural differences.

A divorce of their coalition was inevitable after just over three years, Sirisena said.&nbsp;Wickremesinghe had expected a confrontation but not the sack.

"We knew there would be problems by somewhere in November, but it came a bit sooner than I thought," he added.

Sirisena accused Wickremesinghe, a trained lawyer who favours a liberal economy, of being dictatorial and ignoring the president in cabinet.

Wickremesinghe hit back saying their personal rivalry was not an excuse for a constitutional war.

"The constitution doesn't make provisions for personality clashes," he said. "In cabinet there are people you like and you may not like."

Wickremesinghe is from an elitist family with an urban upbringing, poles apart from Sirisena who is from a modest rural farming family.

They made common cause to end Rajapakse's decade in power in a 2015 presidential election but have drifted apart since over economic policy and day-to-day decisions.

Sirisena has also accused Wickremesinghe of being an autocratic leader of the UNP.

"He is not a member of the UNP," Wickremesinghe hit back. "He can say whatever he wants."

Sri Lanka's sacked prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has warned time is running out to avert a "bloodbath" while voicing hope that parliament will resolve a damaging constitutional crisis in the coming days.

Sri Lanka's sacked prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has warned time is running out to avert a "bloodbath" while voicing hope that parliament will resolve a damaging constitutional crisis in the coming days. Wickremesinghe, who has been holed up at the prime minister's official residence for more than a week as thousands of supporters gather outside, told AFP in an interview that "desperate people" could cause chaos on the Indian Ocean island. The 69-year-old was sacked out-of-the-blue on October 26 by President Maithripala Sirisena, with domineering former president Mahinda Rajapakse named in his place. However Wickremesinghe refused to accept his dismissal and has not left the sprawling colonial-era Temple Trees residence -- where Buddhist monks now chant prayers outside -- since. Sirisena also suspended parliament in an apparent bid to prevent opposition to his move, deepening the turmoil that has seen at least one man killed in a shooting last weekend linked to the power struggle. "We will be calling on our people not to resort to violence," Wickremesinghe said late Friday. "But you don't know what arises in a situation like this. "A few desperate people can start off a bloodbath." His comments echoed the fears of parliament speaker Karu Jayasuriya who warned of bloodshed on the streets if a vote is not held by lawmakers to decide between the two leaders. Wickremesinghe, head of the United National Party, already the biggest group in parliament, has also called for such a vote and is trying to rally allies to the cause. But stopping parliament from meeting has given Rajapakse -- still popular despite his strongarm tactics to end the country's Tamil civil war and corruption allegations -- more time to try to win support. Wickremesinghe said he hoped the showdown could be ended peacefully and expressed optimism that a solution to the crisis would soon be found. "I feel parliament is going to prevail finally. This can't take too long. I would say in a week to 10 days at the most," he said, adding the priority was to establish parliament's "supremacy". Wickremesinghe said two smaller parties -- the Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna and the Tamil National Alliance -- were backing his call for the legislature to meet despite obstacles placed by Sirisena. The two parties signed a petition to the parliament speaker on Friday demanding the reconvening of the 225-member assembly on November 7. "A majority of parliament has said all these actions (of the president) are not legitimate and not in accordance with the constitution," said Wickremesinghe. According to the latest counts, Wickremesinghe has 103 MPs while Rajapakse and Sirisena together have 100. Most of the 22 remaining MPs are expected to back Wickremesinghe, observers said. Street battles feared A majority of legislators want Sirisena to end the suspension of parliament by Wednesday and any delay is "against the wishes of all the parties", according to the embattled Wickremesinghe. Apart from political pressure on Sirisena, civil society groups are also stepping up agitation to ensure the constitution is respected, Wickremesinghe said. After sacking his prime minister, Sirisena addressed the nation and lambasted Wickremesinghe, saying they could not work together because of serious personal and cultural differences. A divorce of their coalition was inevitable after just over three years, Sirisena said. Wickremesinghe had expected a confrontation but not the sack. "We knew there would be problems by somewhere in November, but it came a bit sooner than I thought," he added. Sirisena accused Wickremesinghe, a trained lawyer who favours a liberal economy, of being dictatorial and ignoring the president in cabinet. Wickremesinghe hit back saying their personal rivalry was not an excuse for a constitutional war. "The constitution doesn't make provisions for personality clashes," he said. "In cabinet there are people you like and you may not like." Wickremesinghe is from an elitist family with an urban upbringing, poles apart from Sirisena who is from a modest rural farming family. They made common cause to end Rajapakse's decade in power in a 2015 presidential election but have drifted apart since over economic policy and day-to-day decisions. Sirisena has also accused Wickremesinghe of being an autocratic leader of the UNP. "He is not a member of the UNP," Wickremesinghe hit back. "He can say whatever he wants."

Sri Lanka's ousted PM  Ranil Wickremesinghe says time running out to avert 'bloodbath'

Attempts to win over MP defectors intensified in Sri Lanka's constitutional crisis Saturday amid growing pressure to let the suspended parliament hold a vote on the two rivals who each claim to be prime minister.

Ousted premier Ranil Wickremesinghe has refused to accept his surprise sacking by President Maithripala Sirisena, who named former strongman president Mahinda Rajapakse in his place.

Rajapakse has eaten into Wickremesinghe's majority amid warnings from pro-democracy and anti-corruption groups about the tactics being used.

A member of Wickremesinghe's United National Party, S.B. Nawinna, defected on Friday night and was rewarded with the cultural affairs portfolio in Rajapakse's government.

A deputy from a Tamil party supporting Wickremesinghe also switched sides and was made a deputy minister.

"We are expecting a few more defections on Saturday," a source close to President Sirisena said.

Wickremesinghe has remained in the official prime minister's residence since his sacking on October 26.

He claims to have majority support in the 225-member parliament but is still seeking to woo MPs from the Sirisena-Rajapakse camp, his aides said.

According to latest counts, Wickremesinghe has 103 MPs while Rajapakse and Sirisena together have 100. Most of the 22 remaining MPs are expected to back Wickremesinghe, observers said.

Huge amounts are reportedly being offered to defectors.

A UNP stalwart, Range Bandara, said this week he was offered US $2.8 million to cross over and support Rajapakse.

A pro-democracy movement urged MPs not to sell their votes and undermine the will of the people.

"We appeal to you not to allow parliament to be put up for sale. You have a responsibility to prevent Sri Lanka from being plunged further into a moral and ethical political abyss," the Movement for Democracy said.

The Transparency International anti-graft watchdog highlighted the country's Bribery Act which made accepting and offering inducements a jailable offence.

The president suspended parliament for 20 days in a move to forestall a parliamentary vote that would have gone against his choice for prime minister.

But parliament speaker Karu Jayasuriya has called a meeting for next Wednesday. The president has ordered parliament closed until November 16.

"We believe that the proroguing of parliament is to gain time to buy over sufficient cross overs," the Movement for Democracy said.

It expressed alarm at ministerial positions being given for&nbsp;changing political loyalties. "We demand a stop to this culture of buying and selling votes," the group said.

The minority Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) party, which has seven lawmakers, said its members had also rejected offers to join the Sirisena-Rajapakse camp.

SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem said the political horse-trading made an early parliament meeting even more important.

Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres joined&nbsp;international calls for Sirisena to end the suspension of parliament.

The UN chief told Sirisena he was following the crisis in Sri Lanka "with concern," and "urged the president to revert to parliamentary procedures and allow the parliament to vote as soon as possible," a UN statement said.

Attempts to win over MP defectors intensified in Sri Lanka's constitutional crisis Saturday amid growing pressure to let the suspended parliament hold a vote on the two rivals who each claim to be prime minister.

Attempts to win over MP defectors intensified in Sri Lanka's constitutional crisis Saturday amid growing pressure to let the suspended parliament hold a vote on the two rivals who each claim to be prime minister. Ousted premier Ranil Wickremesinghe has refused to accept his surprise sacking by President Maithripala Sirisena, who named former strongman president Mahinda Rajapakse in his place. Rajapakse has eaten into Wickremesinghe's majority amid warnings from pro-democracy and anti-corruption groups about the tactics being used. A member of Wickremesinghe's United National Party, S.B. Nawinna, defected on Friday night and was rewarded with the cultural affairs portfolio in Rajapakse's government. A deputy from a Tamil party supporting Wickremesinghe also switched sides and was made a deputy minister. "We are expecting a few more defections on Saturday," a source close to President Sirisena said. Wickremesinghe has remained in the official prime minister's residence since his sacking on October 26. He claims to have majority support in the 225-member parliament but is still seeking to woo MPs from the Sirisena-Rajapakse camp, his aides said. According to latest counts, Wickremesinghe has 103 MPs while Rajapakse and Sirisena together have 100. Most of the 22 remaining MPs are expected to back Wickremesinghe, observers said. Huge amounts are reportedly being offered to defectors. A UNP stalwart, Range Bandara, said this week he was offered US $2.8 million to cross over and support Rajapakse. A pro-democracy movement urged MPs not to sell their votes and undermine the will of the people. "We appeal to you not to allow parliament to be put up for sale. You have a responsibility to prevent Sri Lanka from being plunged further into a moral and ethical political abyss," the Movement for Democracy said. The Transparency International anti-graft watchdog highlighted the country's Bribery Act which made accepting and offering inducements a jailable offence. The president suspended parliament for 20 days in a move to forestall a parliamentary vote that would have gone against his choice for prime minister. But parliament speaker Karu Jayasuriya has called a meeting for next Wednesday. The president has ordered parliament closed until November 16. "We believe that the proroguing of parliament is to gain time to buy over sufficient cross overs," the Movement for Democracy said. It expressed alarm at ministerial positions being given for changing political loyalties. "We demand a stop to this culture of buying and selling votes," the group said. The minority Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) party, which has seven lawmakers, said its members had also rejected offers to join the Sirisena-Rajapakse camp. SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem said the political horse-trading made an early parliament meeting even more important. Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres joined international calls for Sirisena to end the suspension of parliament. The UN chief told Sirisena he was following the crisis in Sri Lanka "with concern," and "urged the president to revert to parliamentary procedures and allow the parliament to vote as soon as possible," a UN statement said.

Sri Lanka rivals target defectors to end political crisis

Rival Asian giants India and China are anxiously watching the constitutional conflict between contending prime ministers in Sri Lanka to see whose interests get the upper hand in their own strategic battle.

It is the second time in barely a month that the Indian Ocean has become a battleground between the powers, after the Maldives' hotly disputed presidential election saw the eviction of a pro-Chinese leader.

Both may be minnows compared to the two giant neighbours that loom over it to the north.&nbsp;

But they sit on the key sea trade and oil routes from Asia to the Middle East and Europe making them vital strategic interests for the rival powers.

New Delhi and Beijing insist that they are watching from outside the political ring as Sri Lanka's ousted prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe slugs it out with Mahinda Rajapakse, the island's former authoritarian leader named to take over by the president.

But the stakes are high.

"With parliament suspended and all the political trickery between the two sides, the growing tensions are a worry for India and China," said an Asian diplomat in Colombo.

China was quick to deny an accusation by a lawmaker from Wickremesinghe's party this week that it was paying for Rajapakse's attempts to win over rival deputies.&nbsp;

"Groundless and irresponsible," said a frosty Chinese embassy statement in response to the allegations.

The constitutional crisis pits two very different characters against each other.

Wickremesinghe is a soft-spoken reformist technocrat and free market proponent seen as wary of China's often one-sided economic deals and less suspicious of India.

Rajapakse is a seasoned political bruiser, deeply charismatic but tainted by an authoritarian decade in power that culminated in a ruthless military campaign against Tamil Tiger rebels which ended a decades long civil war but killed some 40,000 civilians and saw widespread atrocities.

He was also much closer to Beijing -- billions of dollars of Chinese investment flowed into Sri Lankan infrastructure during his administration ranging from roads and ports to land reclamation in Colombo.

Tightrope act

Maithripala Sirisena, the final key character in Sri Lanka's current political crisis trinity, vowed to change all that when he beat Rajapakse in a 2015 presidential election and put Wickremesinghe in charge of the government.

That should have encouraged India, which is desperate to stop China from expanding its economic and military footprint in the Indian Ocean and other backyard states such as Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal.

But Wickremesinghe found the battle against Sri Lanka's huge foreign debt too much.&nbsp;

Last year his government gave a 99-year lease on the Hambantota deep-sea port to China because it was unable to repay Beijing's loans for the $1.4-billion project.

It was forced to deny US claims that China could set up a military base at the port.

India -- a modest investor in power and railway projects in the north of the country -- is meanwhile in talks to run Hambantota airport, another white-elephant project built with Chinese loans under Rajapakse.

The airport and port deals have not been good for China's image.&nbsp;

Both projects have been held up by critics as an example of how China's global largesse often comes with onerous repayment strings attached.&nbsp;

Delhi has turned on the charm with its own deals while in 2015 Narendra Modi became the first Indian premier to do a standalone visit to the island in 28 years, with a second visit two years later.

Many analysts see Sri Lanka riding a tightrope between India and China no matter who wins the power struggle in Colombo.

"They have been pulled into a perverse relationship with the Asian giants that none of the political parties can rectify easily," Samir Saran, president of the Observer Research Foundation think-tank in New Delhi, told AFP.

"Rajapakse definitely favoured Chinese investment and there was a move away from it after he left, but it still wasn't a complete break from China. It was more a move towards neutrality," added Madhu Bhalla, a former East Asian department head at the Delhi University.

"In its struggle with China for influence in Sri Lanka, the Indian government will not be pleased if Mahinda Rajapakse establishes himself in power," said Alan Keenan, a Sri Lanka specialist for the International Crisis Group.

"But already before the latest crisis, India and Rajapakse had been mending fences, as Rajapakse and his new party appeared increasingly likely to return to power (through elections) by late 2019 or early 2020."

Guo Xuetang, director of the South Asian and Indian Ocean Research Center at Shanghai University, said "small countries" like Sri Lanka and the Maldives do not want to be anyone's client state anyway.

"They do not want to be controlled by China, nor by India," he added. Whether Sri Lanka chooses India or China in the future will be a "balance of interests," said the specialist.

Rival Asian giants India and China are anxiously watching the constitutional conflict between contending prime ministers in Sri Lanka to see whose interests get the upper hand in their own strategic battle.

Rival Asian giants India and China are anxiously watching the constitutional conflict between contending prime ministers in Sri Lanka to see whose interests get the upper hand in their own strategic battle. It is the second time in barely a month that the Indian Ocean has become a battleground between the powers, after the Maldives' hotly disputed presidential election saw the eviction of a pro-Chinese leader. Both may be minnows compared to the two giant neighbours that loom over it to the north. But they sit on the key sea trade and oil routes from Asia to the Middle East and Europe making them vital strategic interests for the rival powers. New Delhi and Beijing insist that they are watching from outside the political ring as Sri Lanka's ousted prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe slugs it out with Mahinda Rajapakse, the island's former authoritarian leader named to take over by the president. But the stakes are high. "With parliament suspended and all the political trickery between the two sides, the growing tensions are a worry for India and China," said an Asian diplomat in Colombo. China was quick to deny an accusation by a lawmaker from Wickremesinghe's party this week that it was paying for Rajapakse's attempts to win over rival deputies. "Groundless and irresponsible," said a frosty Chinese embassy statement in response to the allegations. The constitutional crisis pits two very different characters against each other. Wickremesinghe is a soft-spoken reformist technocrat and free market proponent seen as wary of China's often one-sided economic deals and less suspicious of India. Rajapakse is a seasoned political bruiser, deeply charismatic but tainted by an authoritarian decade in power that culminated in a ruthless military campaign against Tamil Tiger rebels which ended a decades long civil war but killed some 40,000 civilians and saw widespread atrocities. He was also much closer to Beijing -- billions of dollars of Chinese investment flowed into Sri Lankan infrastructure during his administration ranging from roads and ports to land reclamation in Colombo. Tightrope act Maithripala Sirisena, the final key character in Sri Lanka's current political crisis trinity, vowed to change all that when he beat Rajapakse in a 2015 presidential election and put Wickremesinghe in charge of the government. That should have encouraged India, which is desperate to stop China from expanding its economic and military footprint in the Indian Ocean and other backyard states such as Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal. But Wickremesinghe found the battle against Sri Lanka's huge foreign debt too much. Last year his government gave a 99-year lease on the Hambantota deep-sea port to China because it was unable to repay Beijing's loans for the $1.4-billion project. It was forced to deny US claims that China could set up a military base at the port. India -- a modest investor in power and railway projects in the north of the country -- is meanwhile in talks to run Hambantota airport, another white-elephant project built with Chinese loans under Rajapakse. The airport and port deals have not been good for China's image. Both projects have been held up by critics as an example of how China's global largesse often comes with onerous repayment strings attached. Delhi has turned on the charm with its own deals while in 2015 Narendra Modi became the first Indian premier to do a standalone visit to the island in 28 years, with a second visit two years later. Many analysts see Sri Lanka riding a tightrope between India and China no matter who wins the power struggle in Colombo. "They have been pulled into a perverse relationship with the Asian giants that none of the political parties can rectify easily," Samir Saran, president of the Observer Research Foundation think-tank in New Delhi, told AFP. "Rajapakse definitely favoured Chinese investment and there was a move away from it after he left, but it still wasn't a complete break from China. It was more a move towards neutrality," added Madhu Bhalla, a former East Asian department head at the Delhi University. "In its struggle with China for influence in Sri Lanka, the Indian government will not be pleased if Mahinda Rajapakse establishes himself in power," said Alan Keenan, a Sri Lanka specialist for the International Crisis Group. "But already before the latest crisis, India and Rajapakse had been mending fences, as Rajapakse and his new party appeared increasingly likely to return to power (through elections) by late 2019 or early 2020." Guo Xuetang, director of the South Asian and Indian Ocean Research Center at Shanghai University, said "small countries" like Sri Lanka and the Maldives do not want to be anyone's client state anyway. "They do not want to be controlled by China, nor by India," he added. Whether Sri Lanka chooses India or China in the future will be a "balance of interests," said the specialist.

India and China nervous spectators in Sri Lanka crisis

The United States is following developments in Sri Lanka with concern after a political turmoil sparked by the sudden sacking of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, and urged all parties to respect the due process, a senior US State Department official has said.

Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena on Friday sacked Wickremesinghe and appointed former strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa as the new prime minister, triggering political chaos in the country.&nbsp;

Next day, he suspended Parliament after Wickremesinghe, who had termed his sacking as illegal and unconstitutional, sought an emergency session to prove his majority.

The president also withdrew Wickremesinghe's personal security and vehicles in order to accord them to his 72-year-old successor, who staged a dramatic political comeback.

"The United States continues to follow developments in Sri Lanka with concern and urges all sides to respect due process," a State Department Spokesperson told PTI on Monday.

"We expect the government of Sri Lanka to uphold its commitments to human rights, rule of law, reform, accountability, justice, and reconciliation, regardless of who occupies leadership positions," the spokesperson said.

The President, in consultation with the Speaker, needs to reconvene parliament immediately and allow the democratically elected representatives of the Sri Lankan people to fulfil their responsibility to affirm who will lead their government, the spokesperson reiterated.

Meanwhile, according to an expert, the political shake-up in the Indian Ocean island nation was a win for China, as it would give a second chance to China's attempts to play a dominant role in the island's politics and development which may serves as a significant impediment to the US' efforts for greater engagement in the Indo-Pacific.

In the Foreign Policy magazine, Bharat Gopalaswamy from the Atlantic Council think-tank wrote that the political shake-up in this island nation was a win for China.

The resurgence of Mahinda Rajapaksa as the new Prime Minister, he wrote, means a second chance for China's attempts to play a dominant role in the island nation's politics and development.

It would serves as a significant impediment to the US efforts for greater engagement in the Indo-Pacific, he wrote.

Gopalaswamy said that Rajapaksa was Sri Lanka's president from 2005 to 2015, during which he used heavy-handed tactics to end the country's decades-long civil war, drawing accusations of war crimes, while encouraging large-scale Chinese investment to spur economic growth.

"During his tenure, the country undertook numerous loss-making projects financed and built by China, including the Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port in Hambantota and the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport dubbed as the 'world's emptiest airport' both in the country's south," he said.

Gopalaswamy said Rajapaksa's appointment illustrates the limitations of the US economic diplomacy and development finance policy in the Indo-Pacific.

"Despite recent reforms and rhetoric, the Trump administration has yet to find a realistic alternative to the sheer scale and availability of Chinese financing for infrastructure development in the Indian Ocean," he said.

"Until the United States is both willing and able to engage with countries in the Indo-Pacific on an individual basis and to provide mutually beneficial development financing on a scale comparable to China's, leaders pursuing rapid growth and infrastructure development will continue to turn to Beijing for opportunities, regardless of concerns about predatory or coercive lending behaviour," he wrote in the Foreign Policy magazine.&nbsp;

The United States is following developments in Sri Lanka with concern after a political turmoil sparked by the sudden sacking of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, and urged all parties to respect the due process, a senior US State Department official has said.

The United States is following developments in Sri Lanka with concern after a political turmoil sparked by the sudden sacking of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, and urged all parties to respect the due process, a senior US State Department official has said. Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena on Friday sacked Wickremesinghe and appointed former strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa as the new prime minister, triggering political chaos in the country. Next day, he suspended Parliament after Wickremesinghe, who had termed his sacking as illegal and unconstitutional, sought an emergency session to prove his majority. The president also withdrew Wickremesinghe's personal security and vehicles in order to accord them to his 72-year-old successor, who staged a dramatic political comeback. "The United States continues to follow developments in Sri Lanka with concern and urges all sides to respect due process," a State Department Spokesperson told PTI on Monday. "We expect the government of Sri Lanka to uphold its commitments to human rights, rule of law, reform, accountability, justice, and reconciliation, regardless of who occupies leadership positions," the spokesperson said. The President, in consultation with the Speaker, needs to reconvene parliament immediately and allow the democratically elected representatives of the Sri Lankan people to fulfil their responsibility to affirm who will lead their government, the spokesperson reiterated. Meanwhile, according to an expert, the political shake-up in the Indian Ocean island nation was a win for China, as it would give a second chance to China's attempts to play a dominant role in the island's politics and development which may serves as a significant impediment to the US' efforts for greater engagement in the Indo-Pacific. In the Foreign Policy magazine, Bharat Gopalaswamy from the Atlantic Council think-tank wrote that the political shake-up in this island nation was a win for China. The resurgence of Mahinda Rajapaksa as the new Prime Minister, he wrote, means a second chance for China's attempts to play a dominant role in the island nation's politics and development. It would serves as a significant impediment to the US efforts for greater engagement in the Indo-Pacific, he wrote. Gopalaswamy said that Rajapaksa was Sri Lanka's president from 2005 to 2015, during which he used heavy-handed tactics to end the country's decades-long civil war, drawing accusations of war crimes, while encouraging large-scale Chinese investment to spur economic growth. "During his tenure, the country undertook numerous loss-making projects financed and built by China, including the Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port in Hambantota and the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport dubbed as the 'world's emptiest airport' both in the country's south," he said. Gopalaswamy said Rajapaksa's appointment illustrates the limitations of the US economic diplomacy and development finance policy in the Indo-Pacific. "Despite recent reforms and rhetoric, the Trump administration has yet to find a realistic alternative to the sheer scale and availability of Chinese financing for infrastructure development in the Indian Ocean," he said. "Until the United States is both willing and able to engage with countries in the Indo-Pacific on an individual basis and to provide mutually beneficial development financing on a scale comparable to China's, leaders pursuing rapid growth and infrastructure development will continue to turn to Beijing for opportunities, regardless of concerns about predatory or coercive lending behaviour," he wrote in the Foreign Policy magazine.

US following development in Sri Lanka, urges all sides to respect due process: State Department

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

sirisena

Sirisena, News on Sirisena, stories on Sirisena, articles on Sirisena, Sirisena stories at Wion, Sirisena news, Sirisena latest news