Sri Lanka's Cabinet has deferred by a week the approval of the proposed 21st Amendment to the Constitution to empower Parliament over the executive president, amidst stiff resistance from some members of the ruling party.

Sri Lankan Cabinet defers 21st Amendment to the Constitution by a week

Sri Lanka appeared to be politically rudderless on Thursday as the speaker of parliament declared there was no functioning prime minister or cabinet after a no-confidence vote the previous day.

Sri Lanka, without prime minister and cabinet, grinds to political halt

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 Speaker recognises Ranil Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister

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

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

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.

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