Sri Lanka president deaf to critics, say observers

COLOMBO (AFP) - His sacking of Sri Lanka's chief justice may have prompted new international condemnation, but analysts say President Mahinda Rajapakse is not merely impervious to foreign criticism - he thrives off it.

Already cold-shouldered by the West after the bloody end to an ethnic conflict, Mr Rajapakse drew further flak this weekend by sealing the impeachment of Ms Shirani Bandaranayake and then installing a government adviser in her place as the country's most senior judge.

The US State Department said the impeachment "raises serious questions about the separation of powers in Sri Lanka, which is a fundamental tenet of a healthy democracy".

The Commonwealth, the European Union and former colonial power Britain have also weighed in against Colombo.