Sri Lanka rudderless

– Allies of Sri Lanka’s embattled president Maithripala Sirisena boycotted parliament yesterday as the country drifted into a second month of political turmoil.

Sirisena loyalists refused to show up at parliament in Colombo, where last week opposing MPs scuffled and threw objects, forcing the legislature to adjourn.

The island has been politically paralysed since October 26, when Sirisena sacked prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and replaced him with Mahinda Rajapakse.

Parliament has twice voted against the former president, but he refused to back down. Wickremesinghe, who holds a majority on the floor, has also not stepped aside. The speaker of parliament has not recognised either man, leaving the country adrift with rival factions claiming to command government. – AFP

Colombo