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Tension has been growing between the two communities in Sri Lanka over the past year, with some hardline Buddhist groups accusing Muslims of forcing people to convert to Islam and vandalising Buddhist archaeological sites. (Photo: AFP)

'Follow Constitution, refrain from violence': US urges Sri Lankan...

The move that took the island nation by surprise came amid growing tensions between Sirisena and Wickremesinghe on...

27 Oct 2018 2:47 AM

Mahinda Rajapaksa was on Friday sworn in as the new Prime Minister by President Maithripala Sirisena. (Photo: Twitter | @PresRajapaksa)

Ex-Lankan prez Rajapaksa becomes new PM amid political drama

The development came after Sirisena's UPFA announced quitting current unity govt with PM Ranil Wickremesinghe's UNP.

26 Oct 2018 3:44 PM

Rajapaksa assumed the duties in the prime ministers secretariat which was not used by the ousted prime minister Wickremesinghe, officials from his Sri Lanka Peoples Party (SLPP) said. (Photo: PTI)

Sri Lanka: Parliament votes to halt payment of ministers' salaries,...

Rajapaksa loyalists declared the vote illegal and called into question the impartiality of the speaker.

30 Nov 2018 8:39 AM

Sri Lankas sacked Prime Minister Ranil Wickeremesinghe attends a media briefing in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018. (Photo | AP)

Sri Lanka: Ousted PM Wickeremesinghe wins control of key panel in...

Sirisena's party members walked out of Parliament, protesting against Speaker Karu Jayasuriya's move to appoint five...

23 Nov 2018 11:05 AM

The alleged plot briefly threatened to cause tension between Sri Lanka and India, after a report that Sirisena had accused Indias intelligence services of involvement - a claim New Delhi and Colombo have both denied. (Photo: File)

Sri Lanka: Sirisena's all-party crisis talks fail to end political...

JVP boycotted the meeting and wrote to Sirisena stating he should end the crisis as he created it. Speaker Karu...

19 Nov 2018 4:51 AM

Lawmakers supporting disputed Prime Minister Rajapksa throw a chair towards police officers escorting the speaker inside parliament in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Friday, November 16, 2018. (Photo: AP)

Sri Lankan Parliament adjourned after leaders throw chilli powder,...

Brawl occurred day after Speaker announced there is no PM or government following no-confidence motion against disputed...

16 Nov 2018 2:53 PM

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa (Photo: AP)

Sri Lankan govt confusion after House no-trust in Mahinda Rajapaksa

The Speaker's office said that the Speaker has requested the President to take the next step under the Constitution.

14 Nov 2018 8:59 PM

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe (Photo: AFP)

High-stakes game in Colombo to intensify

More important, Parliament Speaker Karu Jayasuriya refused to recognise Rajapaksa as the Prime Minister.

14 Nov 2018 6:35 PM

Maithripala Sirisena said he had ordered Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera to revoke his decision last week to overturn the 1979 law prohibiting the sale of any type of alcohol to women. (Photo: AP)

Challenge to democracy in Lanka power struggle

Far from clearing the way, the short House session has only exacerbated the unprecedented constitutional crisis gripping...

14 Nov 2018 6:30 PM

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa (Photo: AP)

Sri Lankan parl votes against newly-appointed Rajapaksa govt

Speaker ruled that majority of 225-member assembly supported no-confidence motion against Rajapaksa who was made PM on...

14 Nov 2018 5:53 AM

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa (Photo: AP)

Lankan parties drag Prez to Supreme Court

Rajapaksa needed the support of minimum 113 parliamentarians in the 225-member House to prove his majority.

12 Nov 2018 8:03 PM

Maithripala Sirisena said he had ordered Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera to revoke his decision last week to overturn the 1979 law prohibiting the sale of any type of alcohol to women. (Photo: AP)

In Lanka crisis, India can't sit on sidelines

Long-term Sri Lanka watchers say Mr Rajapaksa's India visit was to prepare Delhi for just such an eventuality.

12 Nov 2018 7:53 PM