Sirisena's cross party talks fail to break deadlock

<p>Cross party talks called by the Sri Lankan president ended in deadlock, prolonging the country’s political crisis.</p> <p>Despite both ousted UNP prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Sirisena’s de facto prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa appearing at the president’s office for a meeting of over two hours, a solution was not reached, AFP reports.</p> <p>Squabbles still existed between the UPFA (SLFP and allies) and the UNF (UNP and allies) on the legitimacy of the no-confidence motions brought against Mahinda Rajapaksa, News First reports.</p> <p>A UNP parliamentarian also told press that the party was ready to submit 113 signed affidavits proving its majority in parliament.</p> <p>The political turmoil in Sri Lanka has left the country without a functioning government. Rajapaksa’s camp have exercised control over several government institutions, despite apparently failing to show a majority in parliament.</p>