Lanka President shuts TV network linked to PM

A television network owned by the family of Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was suspended by the island's telecom regulator yesterday, worsening a power struggle in the fractious ruling coalition.

The closure of Telshan Network comes days after the station criticised President Maithripala Sirisena, who promised to end an era of draconian restrictions on the country's media.

Sirisena, who rules in an unsteady coalition with Wickremesinghe, has specific oversight of the telecom regulator and the decision has aggravated frictions between the men.

The network, owned by Wickremesinghe's eldest brother, was shut after the regulator accused its owners of defaulting on licence fees.

The network has denied the allegations, insisting it has paid its dues.

Wickremesinghe's allies from his United National Party -- which backed Sirisena to election victory in 2015 -- protested the decision in parliament.

"This is not something that we can accept. We are looking into this," said media minister Mangala Samaraweera, who said he was kept in the dark about the decision.