Australia is concerned about the political situation in Sri Lanka after the president sacked the prime minister, sparking protests and deaths.
Thousands of supporters of ousted prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe protested in Colombo on Tuesday as political turmoil on the island entered its fifth day.
On Friday the country's President Maithripala Sirisena sacked Mr Wickremesinghe and swore in ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa to replace him, breaking up a fragile coalition governing the country.
"As a longstanding friend, Australia is concerned by political developments in Sri Lanka," Foreign Minister Marise Payne said on Wednesday.
"It is important that issues be addressed expeditiously through parliament and that democratic principles and freedoms are upheld."
Senator Payne urged all parties to respect the democratic will of the people of Sri Lanka.
"We encourage all parties to continue to resolve differences peacefully, and refrain from confrontation and violence," she said.
Thousands of protesters gathered near Mr Wickremesinghe's residence in the south of the capital, holding signs calling on President Sirisena to "protect our democracy".
"This is a coup. It has all the characteristics of a coup," one of the protesters, Deepanjalie Abeywardene, said while holding a sign that read "reconvene the parliament".
President Sirisena named a new cabinet on Monday with Mr Rajapaksa in charge of finance.
But some of Mr Wickremesinghe's ousted ministers have refused to accept his sacking.
On Sunday, former oil minister Arjuna Ranatunga attempted to enter his office, leading to violence that left two dead.
