Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was appointed as prime minister by the Sri Lankan president on Friday, assumed duties today. 

According to Colombo news reports several Member of Parliaments, secretary to the prime minister, Sirisena Amarasekara and members of the Maha Sanga were present at the event. 

The spokesperson for the prime minister told reporters a new cabinet would be sworn in later today. 

A 64-year-old Tamil man who was injured after stones were thrown at his train carriage as he travelled from Kurunegala to Jaffna died today, sixty days after being admitted in hospital. 

The man, named as P Sivachelvan from Vadamaradchchi East was admitted to Anuradhapura hospital following the attack, which took place near the Sinhala area of Mathavachchi on August 31. 

A demonstration was held in Nelliady on Saturday by locals demanding the release of Tamil political prisoners, who have been held largely without charge indefinitely. 

Earlier this month the TNA met with the Sri Lankan president, Maithripala Sirisena urging him to release the prisoners. 

Amnesty International expressed concern over events in Sri Lanka, stressing that "human rights must not become a casualty of Sri Lanka’s political crisis". 

"The authorities must ensure that key freedoms are respected and protected at this time. People should be allowed to exercise their rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association," Amnesty's Minar Pimple said. 

In his first address since Sri Lanka's current political crisis unfolded, the Sri Lankan president, Maithripala Sirisena explained at length the reasons for him sacking Ranil Wickremesinghe and appointing Mahinda Rajapaksa as the new prime minister. 

The UN Secretary General urged all parties to exercise restraint and ensure the safety and security of all Sri Lankans, as the island remained in political turmoil following the appointment of Mahinda Rajapaksa as prime minister by the president. 

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) expressed concern on Thursday over the intimidation of The Hindu's journalist in Sri Lanka, Meera Srinivasan following the publishing of an article stating that President Sirisena had told a cabinet meeting that India's RAW was attempting to assassinating him. 

Mahinda Rajapaksa has called for parliamentary elections to be conducted as soon as possible in a presser released on Sunday, as his first statement since he was appointed prime minister by the Sri Lankan president, Maithripala Sirisena. 

The Inspector General of Police has withdrawn ousted Prime Minsiter Ranil Wickremesinghe’s security detail, leaving only 10 police officers to protect Wickremesinghe.

Tweeting the IGP order earlier today, Sri Lanka’s minister of economic affairs, Harsha de Silva said Wickremesinghe’s life was being placed under threat by these actions.

One person has died and two were injured after bodyguards of a Sri Lankan minister opened fire on a crowd in Colombo, amid the island's deepening political turmoil following the appointment of Mahinda Rajapaksa as prime minister. 

Petroleum minister and former Sri Lankan cricket captain Arjuna Ranatunga's bodyguards opened fire at crowds of Sirisena supporters on the streets as the minister was attempting to enter a government building.

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”.