Sri Lanka court suspends Mahinda Rajapakse's powers as PM

'Irreparable damage' could be done to Sri Lanka if Mahinda Rajapakse was allowed to remain as head of government, the court said.

Sri Lanka: Parliament votes to halt payment of ministers’ salaries, expenses

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

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

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

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

Sirisena on Sunday stoutly defended his move to dissolve Parliament, saying it was taken to prevent clashes among rival lawmakers.

Rajapaksa's move signaled that he would contest snap polls, to be held on Jan 5, under his own party banner and not that of SLFP.

Sirisena had called for January polls after it was clear Rajapaksa wouldn't command majority in legislature.

Sirisena called for January polls after it was clear Rajapaksa wouldn't command majority in legislature, a move opponents called illegal.

Sirisena sacked Wickremesinghe on October 26 but he has refused to accept the decision or to leave the residence.