Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa assumed duties as the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs in the presence of President Maithripala Sirisena.

While stating that it will form a new national government, the United National Front (UNF) yesterday invited all parties to join it.

The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) today called upon the Government of Sri Lanka to abide by the Constitution and its international obligations in peacefully resolving the current political crisis, and for all political leaders to commit to respect for human rights and the rule of law.

Even as Sri Lanka is under the grip of a political turmoil, the students from Sri Lanka, at South Asia University in New Delhi, held a “silent protest” against the ouster of Ranil Wickremesinghe and the appointment of Mahinda Rajapaksa as prime minister of the country.

Government spokesman Ports and Shipping Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe yesterday said no less a person than the Acting Attorney General Dappula de Livera had pointed out the basis for the President’s action, citing relevant gazettes (2094-43 dated Oct. 26.2018 and 2094-44 dated Oct. 26. 2018) and the 19th Amendment 48 (1).

Thousands of supporters of Sri Lanka’s ousted prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe protested in the capital Colombo on Tuesday as political turmoil on the island entered its fifth day.

UNP MP Dunesh Gankanda was appointed by President Maithripala Sirisena as the State Minister of Environment of the new Cabinet.

President Maithripala Sirisena held a meeting with foreign Ambassadors and High Commissioners in Sri Lanka at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (29), to apprise them regarding the prevailing political situation of the country.

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.

Sri Lankan Rupee has depreciated further against the US Dollar, informed the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).

Opposition Leader R. Sampanthan has met with Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa this morning (30).

Issuing a statement the spokesperson for the European Union (EU) has stated that the sudden deterioration of the situation in Sri Lanka over the weekend puts the country at risk of instability and unrest.

Hundred and twenty nine (129) Parliamentarians have requested Speaker Karu Jayasuriya to summon the Parliament immediately, to put a halt to the prevailing political turmoil in the country, which erupted following the appointment of Former President and Incumbent MP Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Premier on 26 October evening, Parliamentary sources said.

President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday said that the Provincial Council elections will be held soon to strengthen democracy in the country.

The new Cabinet of Ministers was sworn in before President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo, short while ago.

President Maithripala Sirisena utters stories, not even a child would believe, to cover up his faults such as the appointment of Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Prime Minister, UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.