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Lanka PM crisis deepens

Parliament descends into chaos as rival MPs throw punches, projectiles; Speaker announces country now has no govt

AFP, Colombo
Sri Lanka's political crisis yesterday descended into farce with MPs throwing punches and projectiles in parliament, a day after voting the disputed prime minister out of office and leaving the country without a government.
Meanwhile, police said tens of thousands of people took part in a rally in Colombo in support of Ranil Wickremesinghe, whose sacking as prime minister plunged the Indian Ocean nation into turmoil almost three weeks ago.
"It was difficult to make out immediately who was hitting whom, but several were hurt, but not seriously," an official in parliament told AFP. "The speaker adjourned the House till tomorrow (Friday)."
The official said an MP from toppled premier Mahinda Rajapakse's party injured himself trying to rip out the speaker's microphone and had to be taken to hospital with a bleeding hand.
Parliament reconvened on Wednesday and lawmakers approved a motion of no-
confidence in what they called Rajapakse's "purported" cabinet, also passing motions declaring Sirisena's moves illegal.
Yesterday's routine parliament session, the first since Rajapakse and his disputed administration were deposed, began with the speaker
announcing that the country now had no government.
"As of now, there is no prime minister, no cabinet ministers and no government in Sri Lanka," said Karu Jayasuriya, wearing his black and gold robe. "I do not recognise anyone as prime minister."
The vote ousting Rajapakse and the Supreme Court's rulings were a major
boost to Wickremesinghe.
The four-time prime minister, popular with Western countries for his economic reforms, had refused to leave his official residence after being fired by the president.
Wickremesinghe's party was also staging a mass rally in the capital yesterday to demonstrate his public support. Hundreds of supporters were being bussed into Colombo for the rally, party officials said.
Addressing parliament yesterday as an ordinary member, Rajapakse asked the house to end the crisis by holding a national election.
"Let's go for an election. We want an election, a general election," Rajapakse said.
But Wickremesinghe's party immediately moved a resolution rejecting Rajapakse's call and demanded a vote that triggered angry protests from legislators loyal to Rajapakse and Sirisena.
Sirisena, who is vested with constitutional powers to induct a new prime minister and a cabinet of ministers, was yet to take note of Wednesday's no-confidence motion.