Sri Lankan presidential candidate and former defense chief Gotabaya Rajapaksa, center, waves as he leaves after addressing a news conference in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Rajapaksa, who's a front-runner in next month's presidential election says if he wins he won't recognize an agreement the government made with the U.N. human rights council to investigate alleged war crimes during the nation's civil war.
Sri Lankan prime minister and the leader of United National Party Ranil Wickeremesinghe give a thumps up sign during their maiden presidential election campaign rally in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Presidential candidate of Sri Lanka's governing party Sajith Premadasa, center, waves to his supporters as he arrives at his maiden election campaign rally in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Premadasa says he will put a former army chief in charge of national security if he wins, an apparent move to counter former defense chief and front-runner Gotabaya Rajapaksa, whose campaign centers on security following last Easter's deadly suicide bomb attacks.
A ferry berths as a partially illuminated Colombo Lotus Tower, a multi complex digital transmission tower, is reflected in the water, a day after its opening in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka's bowler Lasith Malinga, left, who played his career last one-day international cricket match acknowledges the crowd after Sri Lanka defeated Bangladesh by 91 runs in the first one-day international cricket match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka's Lasith Malinga along with his wife Taniya and two kids Ekeesha and Duvin pose for photographers following his career last one-day international cricket match played between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka's bowler Lasith Malinga who played his career last one-day international cricket match acknowledges the crowd after Sri Lanka defeated Bangladesh by 91 runs in the first one-day international cricket match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Tilekeratne, a Sri Lankan road side vendor walks carrying a stack of steel buckets for sale in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi at St Anthony’s Church, in Colombo. Sri Lankan PM Ranil Wickremesinghe is also seen.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi signs the visitors’ book as Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena looks on, in Colombo.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with members of the Indian Community at India House, in Colombo.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is bid farewell by Sri Lankan PM Ranil Wickremesinghe before emplaning for India from Colombo after a day visit, in Colombo.
A family member of a fallen Sri Lankan soldier weeps during the tenth anniversary of Sri Lanka's civil war victory at the national war heroes memorial in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka's former president and current leader of the opposition Mahinda Rajapaksa, in white, places a wreath at the fallen heroes memorial during the tenth anniversary of Sri Lanka's civil war victory in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankan soldiers stand guard at the entrance to Good Shepherd convent and the St. Benedict's college in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Catholic officials and parents in Sri Lanka are hopeful that church-run schools will begin to reopen soon for the first time since April's devastating Easter Sunday attacks on churches and hotels.
Sri Lankans inspect vandalized shops owned by Muslims in Minuwangoda, a suburb of Colombo, Sri Lanka. Mob attacks on Muslim communities in Sri Lanka's northwest have left one person dead and dozens of shops and mosques destroyed, a government minister said Tuesday, as communal violence worsened in the wake of Easter bombings that killed more than 250 people.
A roof top swimming pool of a hotel gives a deserted look as rain and thunder clouds gather over Colombo's sky line in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is limping back to normalcy after the devastating bomb attacks on Easter Sunday that killed more than 250 people and wounded hundreds more. People and vehicles are slowly coming back on the road and shops are open but traders say that their business remain drastically low.
Sri Lankan policemen check the identity card of a person carrying a back-pack, in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The Catholic Church in Sri Lanka says the government should crack down on Islamic extremists with more vigor "as if on war footing" in the aftermath of the Easter bombings.
Sri Lankan police officers secure the area of exploded St. Anthony's Church on Easter Sunday attacks in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankan Catholics pray on a road during a brief holly Mass held outside the exploded St. Anthony's Church marking the seventh day of the Easter Sunday attacks in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankan light candles during a function to express solidarity with all the victims of Easter Sunday attacks, in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Shoes and other belongings left by panicked worshippers are seen stacked up inside St. Anthony's Church in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Priests have allowed journalists inside St. Anthony's Church in Sri Lanka for the first time since it was targeted in a series of Islamic State-claimed suicide bombings that killed over 250 people. Broken glass littered the sanctuary's damaged pews and blood stained the floor. Shoes left by panicked worshippers remained in the darkened church, and broken bottles of holy water lay on the floor.
Anusha Kumari, center, weeps during a mass burial for her husband, two children and three siblings, all victims of Easter Sunday's bomb attacks, in Negombo, Sri Lanka. In an instant on Easter Sunday, Kumari, 43, was left childless and a widow when suicide bombers launched a coordinated attack on churches and luxury hotels in and just outside Sri Lanka’s capital, Colombo.
Australian naval officers walk past the HMAS Canberra, one of four Royal Australian Navy ships visiting Sri Lanka as part of defense corporation between the two countries, in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Australia says its armed forces have no qualms about working with Sri Lankan security forces accused of grave human rights violations during the country's civil war, but those allegations must be taken seriously and investigated.
Indian Army contingent for Exercise Mitra Shakti-VI pay homage at the Indian Peacekeeping Force (IPKF) war memorial, in Colombo.
Members of the Sri Lankan media hold portraits of journalists abducted and killed during the final stage of the country's civil war, during a protest in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The protestors demanded a thorough investigation into all the excesses committed during that period.
Sri Lanka's reinstated prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, second left, along with his loyal lawmakers from left, Sajith Premadasa, Akila Kariyawasam and Ravi Karunanayake wave to their supporters during a rally in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka's reinstated Prime Minister Ranil Wickeremesinghe, center, surrounded by his loyal lawmakers and supporters speaks after assuming duties in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka's president has reappointed Ranil Wickremesinghe as prime minister, nearly two months after firing him and setting off weeks of political stalemate.
Supporters of ousted Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe celebrate outside the supreme court complex in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka's Supreme Court unanimously ruled as unconstitutional President Maithripala Sirisena's order to dissolve Parliament and call for fresh elections, a much-anticipated verdict that further embroils the Indian Ocean island nation in political crisis.
Ousted Sri Lankan prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe speaks during a media briefing in Colombo, Sri Lanka. A Sri Lankan court on Monday ordered disputed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and his ministers to refrain from carrying out their duties as it hears an appeal against them.
Sri Lankan civil society activists stage a silent sit on protest in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Clergy representing four main religions accused President Maithripala Sirisena of bringing about a conflict in the country by appointing former leader Mahina Rajapaksa as prime minister in violation of the constitution. Banner reads, "Continuous sit on protest".
Lawmakers supporting disputed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa hold placards and shout slogans against Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, as they occupy the speaker's seat inside parliament in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Pandemonium reigned in Sri Lanka's Parliament as lawmakers supporting Rajapaksa violently demonstrated in the house to prevent the proceedings from taking place a day after a fierce brawl between rival legislators. Placards read, from left to right, "Shame of you Karu", "we do not want Karu the cheater," "Murderer Palitha," "Arrest murderer Palitha," referring to a lawmaker supporting Wickremesinghe.
Ousted Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe addresses supporters in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka has been in a crisis since Oct. 26, when President Maithripala Sirisena suddenly fired Wickremesinghe and replaced him with Mahinda Rajapaksa. Sirisena had also suspended Parliament, apparently to allow Rajapaksa time to gather support among lawmakers. But Wickremesinghe insisted his firing was unconstitutional. He refused to vacate his official residence and demanded that Parliament be summoned to prove he still has support.
Supporters of newly appointed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa protest outside parliament gate following the no-confidence motion in parliament in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka's Parliament passed a no-confidence vote against the government headed by the hastily sworn-in and bitterly disputed Prime Minister Rajapaksa, as lawmakers convened for the first time since the president dismissed his Cabinet and suspended the legislature last month.
The United National Party (UNP) members celebrate in the well of the house following the announcement by the Speaker Karu Jayasuriya that the no-confidence motion brought against the Government is passed, in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka's ousted Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, center, addresses a press conference in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Supporters of Sri Lanka's ousted Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe shout slogans as they celebrate after the country's Supreme Court suspended dissolution of parliament by President Maithripala Sirisena, outside the court complex in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka's ousted Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, center, walks to address a press conference in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The country's Supreme Court suspended a presidential decree dissolving Parliament and ruled that an earlier decree summoning lawmakers is valid. On Oct. 26, President Maithripala Sirisena abruptly ousted Wickremesinghe and replaced him with former strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Sri Lanka's pro- Rajapaksa lawmaker Dinesh Gunawaradana, center in white, shakes hands with supporters as they come out from the supreme courts complex in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is in the midst of a political crisis set off by the president's decisions to remove the South Asian island nation's prime minister, dissolve Parliament and call snap elections.
Pro- democratic Sri Lankans take part in a candle light vigil, in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The crowd demanded the restoration of democracy after President Maithripala Sirisena dissolved Parliament and called for fresh elections.
Sri Lanka's ousted prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, center, waves as members of his United National Party (UNP) take out a vehicle parade demanding that Parliament be convened in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka has been engulfed in turmoil since President Maithripala Sirisena dismissed Wickremesinghe last month and replaced him with ex-strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa. Since his ouster, Wickremesinghe has remained in the prime minister's official residence and insists he is still the legitimate leader.
Sri Lanka's new prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa waves to supporters as president Maithripala Sirisena, sitting right, applauds during a rally held out side the parliamentary complex in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena waves to supporters during a rally held out side the parliamentary complex in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena, right, and his newly appointed prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa attend a rally held out side the parliamentary complex in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Thousands of Sri Lankans marched in support of a new government led by the country's former strongman, highlighting the political polarization in the Indian Ocean island nation.
Supporters of Sri Lanka's sacked prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe gather outside the prime ministers official residence in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Thousands of supporters of wickremesinghe gathered to capital to demand president Maithripala Sirisena to convene the parliament immediately.
Sri Lanka's sacked prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, third from left in white shirt and black trousers, waves to his supporters along with law makers supporting him during a protest rally outside the prime ministers official residence in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Thousands of supporters of wickremesinghe gathered in capital demanding president Maithripala Sirisena to convene the parliament immediately. Back drop in Sinhalese reads " Respect the mandate! Convene the parliament ! Democracy ".
Former Sri Lankan petroleum minister Arjuna Ranatunga leaves a magistrate court after receiving bail in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Police arrested Ranatunga, a cricketer-turned politician, in connection with a shooting Sunday at the Petroleum Ministry, the first violence related to the islands's political turmoil.
Newly appointed Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, left, embraces his brother former defense secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa at a Buddhist temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has sacked the country's prime minister and replaced him with a former strongman, state television said.
Sri Lankan media rights activist protest outside the Bangladeshi High Commission demanding the release of Bangladeshi journalist and activist Shahidul Alam, in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Alam, who was charged with spreading false information after reporting on student protests, has been detained for almost two months. Free press and human rights advocates claim he is being silenced for his criticism of the government.
Former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa, center standing on the stage wearing a red shirt, addresses his supporters during an anti government protest in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Thousands of Rajapaksa supporters attended a protest organized by a group of opposition law makers condemning the government.
Former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa, center right, standing on the stage wearing a red shirt, addresses his supporters during an anti government protest in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa rides on an open car during an anti government protest in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Thousands of Rajapaksa supporters attended a protest organized by a group of opposition law makers condemning the government.
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, in white, walks behind Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha during an official welcome ceremony for the latter in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Chan-ocha is in Sri Lanka for a day-long official visit.
Sri Lankan wade through a flooded road in the rain in Malwana, a suburb of Colombo, Sri Lanka. Heavy rain and lightning strikes across Sri Lanka have left several dead and displaced more than 1,000, officials said.
India's Shardul Thakur, second left, celebrates the dismissal of Bangladesh's Sabbir Rahman during their second Twenty20 cricket match in Nidahas triangular series in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
India's Washington Sundar, second left, celebrates the dismissal of Bangladesh's Tamim Iqbal, right, with his teammates during their second Twenty20 cricket match in Nidahas triangular series in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Bangladesh's Sabbir Rahman, left, looks back after being dismissed as India's Shardul Thakur celebrates during their second Twenty20 cricket match in Nidahas triangular series in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
India's Rohit Sharma plays a shot against Bangladesh as Mushfiqur Rahim watches during their second Twenty20 cricket match in Nidahas triangular series in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
India's Rohit Sharma celebrates scoring fifty runs against Bangladesh during their second Twenty20 cricket match in Nidahas triangular series in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
India's Suresh Raina completes a run against Sri Lanka during their Twenty20 cricket match in Nidahas triangular series in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
India's Rohit Sharma watches his shot played against Sri Lanka during their Twenty20 cricket match in Nidahas triangular series in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
India's Yuzvendra Chahal celebrates the dismissal of Sri Lanka's Kusal Mendis during their Twenty20 cricket match in Nidahas triangular series in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
India's Vijay Shankar, second left, celebrates the dismissal of Sri Lankas' Upul Tharanga during their Twenty20 cricket match in Nidahas triangular series in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
India's Rohit Sharma walks off the field after being dismissed during their Twenty20 cricket match against Bangladesh in Nidahas triangular series in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
India's Vijay Shankar, right, celebrates the dismissal of Bangladeshi batsman Mushfiqur Rahim during their Twenty20 cricket match in Nidahas triangular series in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka's Kusal Perera celebrates scoring a half century against India during their Twenty20 cricket match in Nidahas Triangular series in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan attends the Special Parliamentary Session in celebration of the 70th Anniversary of the establishment of Parliament of Sri Lanka, in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Indian captain Virat Kohli holds the winner's trophy beating Sri Lanka in T20 match in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
India's M Pandey kisses his bat as Mahendra Singh Dhoni looks on after winning T20 match against Sri Lanka in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
India's wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and teammates celebrates wicket of Sri Lanka's Angelo Mathews being stumped by him during a T20 match in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka's Dilshan Munaweera looses his bat as he is bowled by India's Kuldeep Yadav during their Twenty20 cricket match in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Members of Indian cricket team pose with the winners trophy after their win over Sri Lanka in their fifth and last one-day international cricket match in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Indian won the match by six wickets.
Sri Lankan cricket team at presentation ceremony after India win the ODI Series during the fifth ODI match in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
India's Mahendra Singh Dhoni rides a vehicle carrying fellow team members and the winning trophy after their win over Sri Lanka in the fifth and last one-day international cricket match in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
India's captain Virat Kohli, front, takes a ride in a vehicle with fellow team members after their win over Sri Lanka in the fifth and last one-day international cricket match in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Indian won the match by six wickets.
Sri Lanka's captain Upul Tharanga, center, attends the presentation ceremony with his teammates after their loss in the fifth and last one-day international cricket match against India in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Indian won the match by six wickets.
India's Virat Kohli greets by Srilanka's captain Upul Tharanga after their win in the match against SriLanka during the fifth ODI match in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka's Angelo Mathews, right, celebrates the dismissal of India's Rohit Sharma, left, during their fourth one-day international cricket match in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka's Lasith Malinga celebrates the dismissal of India's Virat Kohli during their fourth one-day international cricket match in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
India's Rohit Sharma raises his bat and helmet to celebrate scoring a century during their fourth one-day international cricket match against Sri Lanka in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
India's Rohit Sharma, left, congratulates captain Virat Kohli on scoring a century during their fourth one-day international cricket match against Sri Lanka in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
India's captain Virat Kohli, right, and Rohit Sharma run between the wickets during their fourth one-day international cricket match against Sri Lanka in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka's Vishwa Fernando, left, celebrates the dismissal of India's Shikhar Dhawan, right, during their fourth one-day international cricket match in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka's wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella, left, dislodges the stumps as India's captain Virat Kohli, right, dives to successfully make it to the crease during their fourth one-day international cricket match in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka's newly appointed one-day international cricket captain Lasith Malnga, right, speaks to batsmen Dilshan Munaweera, center, and Lahiru Thirimanne during a practice session ahead of the fourth ODI against India in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka's newly appointed one-day international cricket captain Lasith Malinga, center, speaks with selectors Eric Upashantha, left, and Ranjit Madurasinghe ahead of the fourth ODI against India in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
India's Virat Kohli bowls during a practice session ahead of the 4th ODI match against Sri Lanka, in Colombo.
India's Virat Kohli and Mahendra Singh Dhoni during a practice session ahead of the 4th ODI match against Sri Lanka, in Colombo.
Sri Lanka Cricket President Thilanga Sumathipala, left, speaks as Chief Selector Sanath Jayasuriya watches during a media briefing ahead of the one-day International cricket match series against India in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka's one day international cricket captain Upul Tharanga speaks during a media briefing ahead of ODI match series against India in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa and his wife Shiranthi wave to supporters as they leave the police criminal investigation department in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The former first lady was questioned in the case involving the the death of a rugby player when Rajapaksa was holding office.
India's captain Virat Kohli, right, celebrates with teammate Ravindra Jadeja after their win over Sri Lanka in their second cricket test match in Colombo, Sri Lanka. India won the match by an innings and 53 runs.
India's Ravindra Jadeja celebrates the dismissal of Sri Lanka's Dimuth Karunaratne during the fourth day's play of their second cricket test match in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
India's Ravindra Jadeja, center without cap, celebrates the dismissal of Sri Lanka's Dhananjaya de Silva during the fourth day's play of their second cricket test match in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
India's captain Virat Kohli, second left, smiles as he leads his teammates back to pavilion at the end of the day's play of their second cricket test match against Sri Lanka in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
India's Ravichandran Ashwin celebrates the dismissal of Sri Lanka's Upul Tharanga during their second cricket test match in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
India's Ravichandran Ashwin, right, celebrates with teammates the dismissal of Sri Lanka's Dimuth Karunaratne, second left, during their second cricket test match in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
