Tag: #GotabayaRajapaksa
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Sri Lanka’s president promises to change “misconceptions” about human rights record
Sri Lanka’s president has promised to change “misconceptions” of his country’s human rights record, following years of international criticism over wartime atrocities and extrajudicial killings
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India, Sri Lanka seek closer military ties
Colombo, Jan 19 (AFP/APP): Sri Lanka and India vowed to strengthen military ties and widen maritime links with neighbours after security talks, the president’s office said Sunday. India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met Saturday with recently elected Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and discussed setting up a maritime research coordination centre, Rajapaksa’s office said…
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Charges dropped against immune new Sri Lanka president
Colombo, Nov 21 (AFP/APP): Corruption charges against Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa were dropped Thursday by a court, which handed his passport back as he acquired immunity from prosecution after being elected last weekend. Under Sri Lanka’s constitution, no court proceedings can be maintained against a serving president. However, action could be taken after he…
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Sri Lankan government to dissolve after vote debacle
Colombo, Nov 20 (AFP/APP): Sri Lanka’s prime minister will announce his resignation to the nation later Wednesday, bringing his government to an end following his party’s presidential election debacle, officials told AFP. Ranil Wickremesinghe’s move will clear the way for new President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, elected on Saturday in a landslide, to appoint a replacement of…
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Sri Lanka’s Rajapaksa likely to re-boot China ties
Colombo, Nov 19 (AFP/APP): The unfinished, purple-headed Lotus Tower soars uselessly into the Colombo sky, mired in corruption allegations — a project typical of China’s misadventures in Sri Lanka under a political dynasty that has just returned to power. With the Rajapaksas clan now back, Beijing will likely be too, experts say. On Monday Gotabaya…
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Symbolic swearing-in for Sri Lanka’s new strongman
Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, Nov 18 (AFP/APP): Sri Lanka’s new president Gotabaya Rajapaksa was sworn in Monday at a Buddhist temple revered by his core Sinhalese nationalist supporters, following an election victory that triggered fear and concern among the island’s Tamil and Muslim minority communities. Rajapaksa’s landslide win split the nation of 21.6 million people on…
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Rajapaksa takes early lead in Sri Lanka election
Colombo, Nov 17 (AFP/APP): Sri Lanka’s former wartime defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa took an early lead Sunday in a fiercely fought presidential election conducted under high security seven months after deadly Islamist attacks. Rajapaksa, the main opposition candidate, was leading with 52.87 percent while housing minister Sajith Premadasa had 39.67 percent out of half a…