The leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Anura Kumara Dissanayake confirmed his party would not be taking sides in the political turmoil in Sri Lanka, stating that the 'JVP will not be party to this dogfight'. 

Sri Lanka was plunged into crisis this week after the president, Maithripala Sirisena appointed the former president, Mahinda Rajapaksa as prime minister, displacing the UNP leader, Ranil Wickremesinghe. 

Commenting on the unfolding political crisis in Sri Lanka after the president appointed Mahinda Rajapaksa as prime minister and prorogued parliament, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP, R Sampanthan said the party was not concerned about individuals, but principles. 

Meeting with both Mahinda Rajapaksa and Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday, Sampanthan said "the TNA was not interested in protection or promoting individuals but its interest was in finding a solution to the national question", the Sunday Times reported. 

“We are motivated by the desire to see the enactment of a new Constitution and the fulfilment of Sri Lanka’s commitments pertaining to the UN Human Rights Council resolution,” Sampanthan was further quoted by The Hindu. 

Two days after Sri Lanka plunged into political crisis following the appointment of Mahinda Rajapaksa as prime minister, India’s Ministry of External Affairs has called for democratic and constitutional processes to be respected.

“India is closely following the recent political developments in Sri Lanka. As a democracy and a close friendly neighbour we hope that democratic values and the constitutional process will be respected. We will continue to extend our developmental assistance to the friendly people of Sri Lanka," the spokesperson for the India’s Ministry of External affairs, Raveesh Kumar said. 

Just last week Sri Lanka’s then prime minister Ranil Wikremeinshge met Prime Minister Modi in Delhi to smooth tensions and discuss to India Sri Lanka trade. Following the meet Mr Wickremesighe, said India had expressed disappointment at Sri Lanka’s backpedalling on bilateral negotiations. 

At least three parliamentarians have now defected from Ranil Wickremesinghe’s United National Party to Mahinda Rajapaksa, as both men vye to control a parliamentary majority and the seat of Sri Lankan prime minister this week. 

Following President Maithripala Sirisena’s decision to appoint Mahinda Rajapaksa as prime minister of Sri Lanka, both he and Wickremesinghe have claimed they control a parliamentary majority.

In a letter to Wickremesinghe on Friday, Sirisena emphasised the importance of article 42(2) of the Sri Lankan Constitution which maintains that “the President shall appoint as Prime Minister the Member of Parliament, who, in the President’s opinion, is most likely to command the confidence of Parliament”. 

Tamil paramilitaries and supporters of Mahinda Rajapaksa took to the streets across the North-East, lighting firecrackers and waving Sri Lankan flags to celebrate his appointment as Sri Lankan prime minister, as others expressed concern for Tamil human rights activists in the region.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka’s former defence secretary accused of leading a military offensive that massacred tens of thousands of Tamils has been reinstated to the government’s highest defence office, according to reports emerging from Colombo.

The Sunday Times reported the appointment came after he liaised with senior police officers about security arrangements for his brother Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was unexpectedly appointed as prime minister on Friday.

Human Rights Watch condemned the appointment of Mahinda Rajapksa as “chilling” expressing serious concern about the former president’s return to high office without justice for past crimes.

In a statement released Saturday, HRW director Brad Adams said, “Rajapaksa’s return to high office without any justice for past crimes raises chilling concerns for human rights in Sri Lanka. The current government's failure to bring justice for victims of war crimes under Rajapaksa government reopens the door for past abusers to return to their terrible practices.”

Mr Adams added,

Leader of the United National Party (UNP) and current Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe met with the ambassadors from the US, UK, EU, India, Japan, China and Australia today in Temple Trees to discuss the current constitutional crisis.

Several countries have issued travel warnings to their citizens over travel to Sri Lanka, following the island’s plunge into political crisis.

The German Embassy in Colombo tweeted:

“Current political developments, together with the nomination of a controversial new PM have increased political tensions. We urgently advise against venturing near political rallies. Gathering in general should be avoided. Violent confrontations cannot be ruled out.”

The UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office wrote:

China’s ambassador to Sri Lanka met with both men claiming to be the prime minister of the country, as the constitutional crisis on the island continues.

Cheng Xueyuan, China's ambassador to Sri Lanka, met with Ranil Wickremesinghe in Temple Trees earlier this evening according to reports.

Meanwhile, Mahinda Rajapaksa also tweeted photographs of his meeting with the Chinese ambassador, stating that Xueyuan had come to “convey congratulatory wishes from Chinese President Xi Jinping”.