Sri Lankan politicians bar funding for PM

Sri Lankan politicians on Thursday approved a motion barring disputed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa from using state funds after he lost two no-confidence votes, further escalating the political crisis in the country. The motion was passed with 123 votes in the 225-member parliament as Mr Rajapaksa supporters boycotted the proceedings for a third day, accusing Speaker Karu Jayasuriya of bias and breaching parliamentary rules. The motion was a setback for Mr Rajapaksa because it wa a clear demonstration that a majority of politicians oppose the former strongman, who ruled Sri Lanka as president from 2005 to 2015.