Move comes 160 days after Srisena assumed office with parliament elections now scheduled to take place on August 17.

Move comes 160 days after Srisena assumed office with parliament elections now scheduled to take place on August 17.

After a long civil war, a children’s orchestra aims to bridge gaps between Sinhalese and Tamil ethnic groups.
![Sri lanka music [Dinouk Colombage/Al Jazeera]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/70d0cc21aa2d46f9b53eac829cecfb78_18.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
As Indian PM Modi arrives, the new government wants rapprochement with its neighbour, perhaps at the expense of China.

At least 20,000 people gather in Colombo urging former leader to return to politics a month after his electoral defeat.

Divided nation prepares to choose a president amid ruling party defections, war animosity, and corruption allegations.
![Sri Lanka's presidential candidate Mithripala Sirisena addresses the nation at his party's office [Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/2015161075893734_20.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Many have tried to pick up the pieces but memories of the loss of loved ones linger in their minds.

Northern rail line, which will connect Jaffna to capital Colombo, reopens nearly 24 years after civil war shut it down.

Ashin Wirathu, of Myanmar’s 969 group, tells Sri Lankan group BBS he will help combat “Muslim extremists”.
![Wirathu told the crowd in Colombo that the patience of Buddhists is seen as a weakness [AFP]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/201492815599321734_20.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Transparency International claims government letter to groups banning press conferences is an effort to silence them.
![Government has maintained a frosty relationship with NGOs that side with the UN [Dinouk Colombage/Al Jazeera]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/201492271057185580_20.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Island nation has received $4bn since 2009 and critics warn that could mean greater dependence on China.
![China provided monetary assistance to build Sri Lanka's new Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport [File: EPA]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014825132929711734_20.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)