COLOMBO, Oct 29 (Agencies): Sri Lanka's unfolding political crisis threatens to turn into a "bloodbath" unless order is restored, the speaker of parliament has warned.
Ousted PM Ranil Wickremesinghe says a power vacuum now exists in the country.
On Monday, police arrested the minister, Arjuna Ranatunga, a 54-year-old former national cricket team captain and an ally of Mr Wickremesinghe, after he was accused of ordering the shooting. His bodyguard has also been arrested and an investigation is under way.
Sirisena is now under increasing pressure to uphold the island nation's constitution and reconvene parliament after his decision to replace the prime minister triggered political turmoil.
The US State Department on Sunday called on Sri Lanka's president to "immediately reconvene parliament" to allow representatives there to quell a violent constitutional crisis sparked by the prime minister's sudden sacking.
"We urge all sides to refrain from intimidation and violence," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement.
Sri Lanka plunged into the crisis on Friday when Sirisena sacked Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and swore in ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa to replace him, breaking up a fragile coalition governing the island.
Wickremesinghe said his sacking was illegal and he maintained that he was still prime minister, leading to a standoff between his party and labour unions loyal to Sirisena.
The crisis has important ramifications in a battle for influence in south Asia between Sri Lanka's traditional ally India and China, a country that is playing an increasing role in the region.
China, long seen as a supporter of Rajapaksa, has already congratulated him on becoming prime minister.
But India, the European Union and the United States have all urged Sirisena to abide by the constitution.
Sources in diplomatic missions said most foreign envoys had yet to send congratulatory messages to Rajapaksa as it could be interpreted as legitimising the new government while there were still complaints his appointment was unconstitutional.
