COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, Nov. 4 (UPI) -- Tensions between the two top leaders of Sri Lanka escalated Tuesday as the prime minister ripped the president for sacking parliament.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe hit out at President Chandrika Kumaratunga after she suspended parliament, sacked three of Wickramasinghe's key ministers and ordered troops to guard vital buildings, including state TV.
The escalating conflict stems from their differences over the peace process with the Tamil Tiger rebels. The president believes the state is giving up too much, the BBC reported.
Wickramasinghe, in Washington on official business, said he would be resolute in implementing his mandate and would continue his mission in the United States.
He said he would not allow the president to "undermine the peace process and economic prosperity".
"The irresponsible and precipitous action of the president is aimed at plunging the country into chaos and anarchy," he said.
