Brawl in Parliament Shows Sri Lanka Descending Into Chaos

  • Parliament passed a no-confidence motion against Rajapaksa
  • Former leader Wickremesinghe calls new government ‘illegal’
Rival lawmakers clash on Nov. 15.Photographer: AFP/Getty Images
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Sri Lanka is now effectively a country without a prime minister, with weeks of political turmoil culminating today in a brawl on the floor of the country’s parliament.

Two men believe they have the right to call themselves prime minister: the democratically elected leader, Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was sacked by the president on Oct. 26 and the pro-China strongman, Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was appointed in his place.