Sri Lanka declared a state of emergency

SRI LANKA’S president has declared a state of emergency, deepening the country’s political crisis as her political rival was set to meet with US President George W Bush in Washington.

President Chandrika Kumaratunga further asserted her power across this troubled island nation, but officials insisted she wouldn't restart a bloody 20-year civil war and would honour a shaky cease-fire with Tamil Tiger rebels.

The crisis began on Tuesday when Ms Kumaratunga who accuses Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe of being soft on the rebels fired three top ministers, suspended Parliament and deployed troops around the capital.