Chinese Influence

Its been no secret that China is ploughing through its way in South Asia, building strategic ties with India's neighbors. Its association with Pakistan is well known for a long time, so is its relationship with the JUNTA. And now its flexing its muscle in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

With a bank balance of $2.4 trillion.. (its literally bank balance for China), it seems to be splurging (in local currency terms) in the Indonesian ocean. The influence is just on infrastructure it seems to be entering the political minds as well..

Sri Lankan president extends grip on power

By Jane Cowan

Updated 8 hours 15 minutes ago

The Sri Lankan president will extend his grip on power after the country's parliament voted to amend the constitution.

In what critics describe as "the last nail in the coffin" of Sri Lankan democracy, the country's parliament passed a constitutional amendment abolishing two-term presidential limits.

The changes also loosen rules designed to prevent the politicalisation of the police and the judiciary.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa was re-elected in January after the government won the 25-year-old civil war against the Tamil Tigers.

He can now stand for re-election in 2016.

Mr Rajapaksa is popular with Sri Lanka's Sinhalese majority but critics have accused him of stifling dissent.

He had already been accused of ignoring the rule of law and jailing opponents.

Other changes empower him to appoint top judges and other public officials unfettered by any legal veto.

Mani Ratnam made Ravana and revived the trend ;-) and now it looks like Ramayana will repeat all over again..

Looks like a new Lankeshwar in the making..