Among four South Asian nations, Sri Lanka performed the best in containing high inflation.

Sri Lanka’s defence ministry yesterday ordered troops to shoot on sight people involved in looting or damaging property, a day after mobs targeted the homes of ruling-party politicians.

Protesters and a key trade group in Sri Lanka called for a new government to take control of the crisis-hit country on Tuesday as the president called for calm a day after clashes killed eight people, pushing his brother to quit as prime minister.

Rajapaksa's re-entry into politics has changed the total complexion of the election. He organised large rallies and spoke as though he was the PM candidate. He is still popular and has taken the centre stage in the campaign.