How Rajapaksas, Sri Lanka's civil war heroes, became villains of its worst crisis
2 years, 7 months ago

How Rajapaksas, Sri Lanka's civil war heroes, became villains of its worst crisis

India Today  

Sri Lanka is battling its worst economic crisis and political turmoil. CIVIL WAR HEROES Mahinda was the all-powerful and charismatic leader of Sri Lanka’s ruling family. IN PICS | Sri Lanka gives emergency powers to military after violent clashes killed 8 THE OTHER RAJAPAKSAS Mahinda’s brother, Basil Rajapaksa, managed the economy under him. The Rajapaksas ruled Sri Lanka’s political scene amid charges of oppression, nepotism, corruption, economic mismanagement, and increased dependence on counter-productive Chinese loans, making the family increasingly unpopular. THE CHINESE HAND China’s investments in infrastructure projects, or debt-traps, deepened Chinese influence over Sri Lanka but also exacerbated the South Asian island nation’s economic crisis.

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History of this topic

An overturning of Sri Lanka’s old political order
1 month ago

An overturning of Sri Lanka’s old political order

The Hindu  

The National People’s Power, led by Sri Lanka’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has swept the Sri Lankan parliamentary polls with an astounding majority. There is another side to this story: Sri Lanka is Asia’s oldest electoral democracy, with universal suffrage going back to 1931, and its citizenry, in an awesome political swing, have not only given the new government an …

Sri Lanka’s Marxist-leaning president appoints his Cabinet after a resounding election win
1 month ago

Sri Lanka’s Marxist-leaning president appoints his Cabinet after a resounding election win

Live Mint  

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka’s new Marxist-leaning president swore in a 21-member Cabinet on Monday after his party secured a two-thirds parliamentary majority in last week’s election. Sri Lanka’s crisis was largely the result of economic mismanagement combined with fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, which along with militant attacks in 2019 devastated the important tourism industry. Sri Lanka’s economic …

Voting ends in Sri Lanka’s parliamentary election that’s key for its new Marxist-leaning president
1 month, 1 week ago

Voting ends in Sri Lanka’s parliamentary election that’s key for its new Marxist-leaning president

Associated Press  

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lankans voted in a parliamentary election Thursday that is key for the country’s new, Marxist-leaning president to consolidate his party’s power and follow through on promises of economic recovery. The biggest challenge for the NPP — which was founded in 2019 and is a relative newcomer on Sri Lanka’s political scene — is that many …

Corruption is a Central Issue in Sri Lanka’s Upcoming Parliamentary Elections
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Corruption is a Central Issue in Sri Lanka’s Upcoming Parliamentary Elections

The Quint  

“The US, with India as its proxy, engineered Sri Lanka’s economic turmoil. As Sri Lanka struggled, India, backed by American funds, swooped in with a lifeline—offering a line of credit while China hesitated. Subramaniam resumed his deliveries, and suddenly, Sri Lankans found themselves indebted to India, blissfully unaware of the hidden puppeteers pulling the strings to undercut China’s influence in …

Sri Lanka has entered a new dawn with its new president. What does the diaspora think of Anura Dissanayake?
3 months ago

Sri Lanka has entered a new dawn with its new president. What does the diaspora think of Anura Dissanayake?

ABC  

For decades, Sri Lankan politics has looked like a revolving door through which the same parties and families have come and gone. Unlike many of Sri Lanka's past presidents, Mr Dissanayake has no political lineage and is from the socialist National People's Power party which he founded in 2019. For some of Sri Lanka's younger generation the election result "was …

Sri Lankans ousted Rajapaksa clan from power two years ago. Now they are back in the fray
3 months ago

Sri Lankans ousted Rajapaksa clan from power two years ago. Now they are back in the fray

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “People will understand, you know, because if you look …

Two years after Sri Lanka’s president was ousted by protests – could it all have been for nothing?
3 months ago

Two years after Sri Lanka’s president was ousted by protests – could it all have been for nothing?

The Independent  

In the summer of 2022, Pali Abeywickrama and his friends marched to the presidential palace during Sri Lanka’s popular anti-government uprising. open image in gallery Protesters hold Sri Lankan flags as they stand on top of the office of PM Ranil Wickremesinghe in July 2022 Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya party is at 32 per cent …

Protests ousted Sri Lanka’s last president. Ahead of new election, many are still waiting for change
3 months ago

Protests ousted Sri Lanka’s last president. Ahead of new election, many are still waiting for change

Associated Press  

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Two years ago, tens of thousands of Sri Lankans rose up against their president and forced him to flee the country. Days after Rajapaksa fled the country, Sri Lanka’s parliament replaced him with then-prime minister Ranil Wickremensignhe in a vote that many protesters saw as a victory for the status quo. Pathum Kerner, a 42-year-old physician …

Ramification | Sri Lanka: First presidential election after economic crisis and all weather Colombo-Delhi ties
3 months, 1 week ago

Ramification | Sri Lanka: First presidential election after economic crisis and all weather Colombo-Delhi ties

Firstpost  

Irrespective of the outcome of the election, India, as it has done in the past, will continue to support Sri Lanka in its economic recovery President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena gesture as they arrive at the Election Commission in Rajagiriya to submit his nomination papers for the upcoming presidential election, scheduled for September 21, in Colombo, Sri …

Sri Lankans’ fury forced the powerful Rajapaksa clan out. Now its heir is running for president
3 months, 1 week ago

Sri Lankans’ fury forced the powerful Rajapaksa clan out. Now its heir is running for president

Associated Press  

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — When an uprising ousted Sri Lanka’s president, many saw it as the end of his powerful family’s hold on the island nation after more than 12 years of rule. Alan Keenan, senior consultant on Sri Lanka at the International Crisis Group, said the younger Rajapaksa’s bid for the presidency is a test run that would establish …

Sri Lanka: The country famed for pristine beaches and ancient temples hoping to rebuild tourism
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Sri Lanka: The country famed for pristine beaches and ancient temples hoping to rebuild tourism

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. open image in gallery A foreigner sits outside the Diary King home-made ice cream shop, in Galle, Sri Lanka August …

Heir apparent to Sri Lanka’s powerful Rajapaksa family will run in September’s presidential election
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Heir apparent to Sri Lanka’s powerful Rajapaksa family will run in September’s presidential election

Associated Press  

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — The man who is considered the heir apparent to the powerful Rajapaksa family in Sri Lanka will contest the presidential election in September, his political party said Wednesday, in an apparent bid to regain his family’s lost power after a humiliating setback two years ago during an unprecedented economic crisis in the Indian ocean island nation. …

Rajapaksas’ party fields Mahinda’s son Namal in Sri Lanka’s presidential race
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Rajapaksas’ party fields Mahinda’s son Namal in Sri Lanka’s presidential race

The Hindu  

Sri Lanka’s ruling party helmed by the Rajapaksa clan, who were booted out of office by mass protests in 2022, on Wednesday named Namal Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, as its candidate for the September presidential polls. After Mr. Gotabaya was forced to resign at the height of Sri Lanka’s crushing unprecedented economic crisis in 2022, its MPs …

Rajapaksas to launch political comeback bid in Sri Lanka
6 months, 4 weeks ago

Rajapaksas to launch political comeback bid in Sri Lanka

Deccan Chronicle  

Sri Lanka's powerful Rajapaksa clan, which suffered political battering due to the country's worst economic crisis in 2022, will launch its political comeback bid on Sunday by targeting the impending elections. Former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa, ex-prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and former finance minister Basil Rajapaksa were ousted from power during anti-government protests following the crippling financial and political crisis in …

As Sri Lanka marks five years since horrific Easter bombings, UN calls for justice for victims
8 months ago

As Sri Lanka marks five years since horrific Easter bombings, UN calls for justice for victims

Firstpost  

Sri Lanka’s Catholic Church has claimed that military intelligence personnel collaborated with the Islamists who carried out the assault, which aided the political ambitions of retired army general Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who was running on security. Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, the leader of Sri Lanka’s Catholic Church, said that Rajapaksa had consistently safeguarded individuals responsible for the bombings since his win The …

Sri Lanka’s Financial Crisis Gradually Easing: Ranil Wickremesinghe
10 months, 2 weeks ago

Sri Lanka’s Financial Crisis Gradually Easing: Ranil Wickremesinghe

News 18  

Cash-strapped Sri Lanka is “gradually” emerging from its worst economic crisis after the austerity of an IMF bailout, the president said Sunday in a speech to mark independence day. Sri Lanka saw months of civil unrest at the peak of the economic crisis, culminating in the ouster of then-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa when thousands of protesters stormed his home. The International …

Sri Lanka top court finds Rajapaksa brothers guilty of economic crisis
1 year, 1 month ago

Sri Lanka top court finds Rajapaksa brothers guilty of economic crisis

Al Jazeera  

The symbolic ruling says the powerful brothers – including two ex-presidents – triggered the island’s worst financial crisis. Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court has issued a symbolic ruling that the powerful Rajapaksa brothers – including two ex-presidents – were guilty of triggering the island’s worst financial crisis by mishandling the economy. The case was filed by corruption watchdog Transparency International Sri …

Sri Lanka ex-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa gets clean chit in 2022 'unaccounted cash' probe
1 year, 2 months ago

Sri Lanka ex-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa gets clean chit in 2022 'unaccounted cash' probe

Firstpost  

The Bribery Commission informed the court that further legal proceedings regarding this incident would not be taken owing to insufficient evidence to proceed with the matter, the Daily Mirror online reported on Thursday Citing lack of evidence, Sri Lanka’s anti-graft commission has dropped a case against former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa in which more than Rs 17 million was discovered by …

Sri Lanka counting on Indian tourists to aid economic recovery
1 year, 5 months ago

Sri Lanka counting on Indian tourists to aid economic recovery

The Hindu  

Sri Lanka is counting on tourists from India, its primary source market, to boost foreign exchange earnings and aid economic recovery, as the island expects fewer tourists from Europe amid the ongoing recession. Addressing participants on Thursday, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said tourism would emerge Sri Lanka’s chief foreign exchange earning sector in the next decade. In 2022, when Sri Lanka …

IMF says Sri Lanka’s economic recovery shows signs of improvement but challenges remain
1 year, 6 months ago

IMF says Sri Lanka’s economic recovery shows signs of improvement but challenges remain

Associated Press  

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Debt-stricken Sri Lanka, which declared bankruptcy last year, is showing signs of economic improvement but its recovery still faces challenges, the International Monetary Fund said Friday. But the economic recovery remains challenging,” said IMF deputy managing director Kenji Okamura after concluding a visit to Sri Lanka, where he met with the country’s top leaders and officials. …

Ex-Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa quizzed over hidden cash stash
1 year, 10 months ago

Ex-Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa quizzed over hidden cash stash

Firstpost  

Protesters occupied his presidential palace for several days, discovering 17.5 million rupees hidden in Rajapaksa’s private quarters that they later turned over to police Sri Lankan police told AFP on Wednesday they are investigating ousted president Gotabaya Rajapaksa over a hidden cash stockpile uncovered when protesters stormed his former residence last year. Protesters occupied his presidential palace for several days, …

Ex-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa returns to Sri Lanka: Report
1 year, 11 months ago

Ex-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa returns to Sri Lanka: Report

Hindustan Times  

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who was ousted from power last year over his government's mishandling of the cash-strapped country's economy, has returned from Dubai, his first foreign trip since returning to Sri Lanka four months ago. Gotabaya Rajapaksa In Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka's former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Rajapaksa,73, fled Sri Lanka to the Maldives on a Sri Lankan Airforce plane …

Sri Lanka’s Tourism Industry Revives Despite Public Protests
2 years ago

Sri Lanka’s Tourism Industry Revives Despite Public Protests

The Diplomat  

Sri Lanka’s tourism industry has commenced its recovery after setbacks suffered due to this year’s economic and political crisis, alongside protest campaigns that ousted President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. In March 2022, approximately 106,500 tourists arrived in Sri Lanka, a massive increase in tourist arrivals compared with March 2021, when only 4,581 tourists entered the country. Meanwhile, “Russian tourists have boosted October …

Mahinda Rajapaksa blames ‘foreign forces’ for Sri Lanka’s crisis
2 years, 1 month ago

Mahinda Rajapaksa blames ‘foreign forces’ for Sri Lanka’s crisis

The Hindu  

COLOMBO: Two-time President and former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on Tuesday blamed “foreign forces” and the former government for Sri Lanka’s economic collapse, while admitting to “some wrong decisions” taken by their ousted administration. Foreign powers “eyeing Sri Lanka’s national assets”, and their “local agents” who were “still active” were fuelling anti-government protests, Mr. Mahinda told Parliament, during the second …

Sri Lanka’s ousted president Gotabaya Rajapaksa faces arrest calls after return
2 years, 3 months ago

Sri Lanka’s ousted president Gotabaya Rajapaksa faces arrest calls after return

The Hindu  

Deposed Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa faced calls for his arrest on September 3 after returning home from self-imposed exile under the protection of his successor’s government. “He can’t live freely as if nothing has happened.” Mr. Rajapaksa’s government was accused of chaotic mismanagement as the Sri Lankan economy spiralled into a blistering downturn. Sri Lanka’s main opposition alliance, the …

With no immunity, Sri Lanka’s Rajapaksa faces legal troubles
2 years, 3 months ago

With no immunity, Sri Lanka’s Rajapaksa faces legal troubles

Associated Press  

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka’s ousted President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who returned home after seven weeks in exile following protests over economic hardships, could face legal action over forced disappearances of activists now that he has been stripped of constitutional immunity, a lawyer said Saturday. The disappearances took place 12 years ago soon after the end of the country’s long …

Sri Lanka’s ousted president returns home after fleeing
2 years, 3 months ago

Sri Lanka’s ousted president returns home after fleeing

Associated Press  

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka’s former president, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who fled the country in July after tens of thousands of protesters stormed his home and office in a display of anger over the country’s economic crisis, returned to the country early Saturday after seven weeks. Rajapaksa, a former military officer, was elected on promises to uplift the country’s economy …

Sri Lanka’s ousted President Rajapaksa gets government residence, security on return
2 years, 3 months ago

Sri Lanka’s ousted President Rajapaksa gets government residence, security on return

The Hindu  

Sri Lanka’s ousted President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was provided on Saturday with an official residence and security by the government after he returned to the country he had fled in July during economic unrest, two senior officials said. Rajapaksa fled in the early hours of July 13 after massive protests engulfed Colombo and demonstrators enraged with the economic devastation stormed his …

Sri Lanka: Former president Rajapaksa Gotabaya faces arrest calls after returning from exile
2 years, 3 months ago

Sri Lanka: Former president Rajapaksa Gotabaya faces arrest calls after returning from exile

Firstpost  

Rajapaksa returned to Sri Lanka on Saturday after he fled the island nation under military escort in July when a huge crowd stormed his official residence following months of angry demonstrations against his government Colombo: Deposed Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa faced calls for his arrest Saturday after returning home from self-imposed exile under the protection of the government that …

Sri Lanka's former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa comes back after 51-day of self imposed exile
2 years, 3 months ago

Sri Lanka's former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa comes back after 51-day of self imposed exile

Firstpost  

Rajapaksa fled Sri Lanka to the Maldives on a Sri Lanka Airforce plane and then proceeded to Singapore, from where he resigned on 14 July Colombo: Sri Lanka’s former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa was accorded a warm welcome as he returned to Colombo from Thailand amid tight security on late Friday, ending his 51-day self-imposed exile after fleeing abroad following months-long …

Sri Lanka\'s ousted ex-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa returns home from Thailand
2 years, 3 months ago

Sri Lanka\'s ousted ex-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa returns home from Thailand

Deccan Chronicle  

Colombo: Sri Lanka's former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa was accorded a warm welcome as he returned to Colombo from Thailand amid tight security on late Friday, ending his 51-day self-imposed exile after fleeing abroad following months-long mass protests over the country's worst economic crisis. After being welcomed by lawmakers of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna party, Rajapaksa left the airport …

Gotabaya Rajapaksa Returns to Sri Lanka: Ex-Prez Given State-Bungalow, Round-the-Clock Security
2 years, 3 months ago

Gotabaya Rajapaksa Returns to Sri Lanka: Ex-Prez Given State-Bungalow, Round-the-Clock Security

News 18  

Former Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa returned to Sri Lanka late Friday night from Singapore, where he had fled fearing reprisal at the hands of the people of Sri Lanka for leading them to an economic crisis. Sri Lankan news agencies reported that the former president returned to Sri Lanka amid heavy security presence. It was in July that he …

Former Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa returns to Sri Lanka from Thailand
2 years, 3 months ago

Former Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa returns to Sri Lanka from Thailand

India TV News  

Highlights Sri Lanka’s ousted president returns home after fleeing Gotabaya Rajapaksa came back home nearly 2 months after he fled the country Rajapaksa will be living in a state bungalow close to Wijerama Mawatha in Colombo Sri Lanka news : Former Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Friday returned to the country from Thailand, nearly two months after he fled …

Sri Lankan ousted President Rajapaksa returns home from Thailand
2 years, 3 months ago

Sri Lankan ousted President Rajapaksa returns home from Thailand

Live Mint  

Former Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who fled the country about two months ago during the nation's worst-ever economic crisis situation, returned home from Thailand on Friday, according to news agency PTI. Rajapaksa fled the country on July 13 after protestors in Sri Lanka demanded his resignation and stormed the President’s House in Colombo and several other state buildings in …

Sri Lanka’s former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa returns home from Thailand
2 years, 3 months ago

Sri Lanka’s former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa returns home from Thailand

The Hindu  

Former Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Friday returned to the country from Thailand, nearly two months after he fled the country following a massive uprising against his government over the island nation’s worst-ever economic crisis. After being received at the airport by several ministers and Parliamentarians of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna party, Mr. Rajapaksa left the airport …

Sri Lanka: Bankrupt deposed former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa 'to return home'
2 years, 3 months ago

Sri Lanka: Bankrupt deposed former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa 'to return home'

Firstpost  

Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled Sri Lanka under military escort in July after unarmed crowds stormed his official residence Colombo, Sri Lanka: Bankrupt Sri Lanka’s deposed former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa is expected to end his self-imposed exile in Thailand and return home imminently, a top defence official told AFP on Friday. The unit comprises elements from the army and police commandos.” Sri …

After Over a Month in Exile, Sri Lanka's Ousted President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to Return Over Weekend: Sources
2 years, 3 months ago

After Over a Month in Exile, Sri Lanka's Ousted President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to Return Over Weekend: Sources

News 18  

Sri Lanka’s ousted president Gotabaya Rajapaksa is all set to return to his home country over the weekend after over a month in exile. Last month, the deposed leader’s party had said he was seeking to return home from his exile in Thailand and had asked his successor, Ranil Wickremesinghe, to guarantee his safety. Gotabaya’s youngest brother Basil Rajapaksa, the …

Photos: Crisis pushes more Sri Lankans into poverty
2 years, 3 months ago

Photos: Crisis pushes more Sri Lankans into poverty

Al Jazeera  

Millions of Sri Lankans are battling a calamitous decline in living standards, as they find themselves forced to skip meals, ration medicines and turn to firewood in place of cooking gas. Hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, rising oil prices and economic mismanagement under previous governments, the island nation is in the throes of its starkest crisis since independence from …

Sri Lanka's Rights Body Urges Wickremesinghe to Provide Protection to Gotabaya Rajapaksa & His Family
2 years, 4 months ago

Sri Lanka's Rights Body Urges Wickremesinghe to Provide Protection to Gotabaya Rajapaksa & His Family

News 18  

Sri Lanka's top human rights body has urged President Ranil Wickremesinghe to provide adequate protection to the family of his predecessor Gotabaya Rajapaksa as guaranteed by the Constitution and facilitate the former president's return to the crisis-hit country. In a letter, the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka on Monday said that it had received several complaints alleging that the …

Ranil Wickremesinghe: The Rajapaksas’ Puppet on a String
2 years, 4 months ago

Ranil Wickremesinghe: The Rajapaksas’ Puppet on a String

The Diplomat  

Hopes that a new president would usher in a measure of calm to restive Sri Lanka seem to have been dashed, with parliamentarians electing Ranil Wickremesinghe as the country’s eighth president in late July. Wickremesinghe ordered the military and police “to do what is necessary to restore order.” Sure enough, on July 22, Sri Lankan security forces violently cleared the …

Sri Lanka’s main Opposition party says ex-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa must be tried for ‘misusing funds’
2 years, 4 months ago

Sri Lanka’s main Opposition party says ex-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa must be tried for ‘misusing funds’

The Hindu  

Sri Lanka’s former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa has the right to return to the country, but he must be tried for allegations of misuse of funds since he does not enjoy legal immunity, main Opposition party Samagi Jana Balawegaya has said. Mr. Rajapaksa, 73, fled the country and resigned last month in the face of a popular uprising against his government …

Sri Lanka's main Opposition party demands former president Rajapaksa must be tried for misusing funds
2 years, 4 months ago

Sri Lanka's main Opposition party demands former president Rajapaksa must be tried for misusing funds

Firstpost  

Rajapaksa, 73, fled the country and resigned last month in the face of a popular uprising against his government for mismanaging the island nation’s economy Colombo: Sri Lanka’s former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa has the right to return to the country, but he must be tried for allegations of misuse of funds since he does not enjoy legal immunity, main Opposition …

Sri Lanka: Ruling party asks president Wickremesinghe to facilitate ex-leader Gotabaya Rajapaksa's return
2 years, 4 months ago

Sri Lanka: Ruling party asks president Wickremesinghe to facilitate ex-leader Gotabaya Rajapaksa's return

Firstpost  

In response to speculations that former president Rajapaksa may return to Sri Lanka next week, the SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam told reporters that the request was made during a meeting with president Wickremesinghe on Thursday Colombo: The ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna party has urged president Ranil Wickremesinghe make arrangements for Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s safety so that he can return …

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa set for return to Sri Lanka next week, says report
2 years, 4 months ago

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa set for return to Sri Lanka next week, says report

India TV News  

Highlights Sri Lanka's former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is all set to return next week to the island nation Gotabaya Rajapaksa was forced to flee in the month of July after massive protests against him Former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia, hinted that Gotabaya Rajapaksa will return on August 24 Sri Lanka news : Sri Lanka's former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is …

Ousted Sri Lankan prez Rajapaksa staying at Bangkok hotel, told not to come out for security reasons: Report
2 years, 4 months ago

Ousted Sri Lankan prez Rajapaksa staying at Bangkok hotel, told not to come out for security reasons: Report

India TV News  

Gotabaya Rajapaksa is staying at a hotel here in the heart of Thailand’s capital, where police have advised the ousted Sri Lankan president to remain indoors for security reasons, according to a media report on Friday. Officials have asked the embattled former Sri Lankan president to remain within the hotel during his stay in the country, the report said. The …

Sri Lanka arrests 43-year-old protest leader Joseph Stalin
2 years, 4 months ago

Sri Lanka arrests 43-year-old protest leader Joseph Stalin

Firstpost  

Joseph Stalin, the secretary of the Sri Lanka Teachers’ Union, becomes the senior most activist to be arrested in a crackdown against protesters forced Gotabaya Rajapaksa to flee last month Colombo: A top Sri Lankan trade union leader in the forefront of protests which led to the ousting of Gotabaya Rajapaksa from the presidency was arrested Wednesday, witnesses and officials …

Sri Lanka: Supreme Court extends overseas travel ban on ex-PM Mahinda Rajapaksa, brother till 4 August
2 years, 4 months ago

Sri Lanka: Supreme Court extends overseas travel ban on ex-PM Mahinda Rajapaksa, brother till 4 August

Firstpost  

Mahinda & Basil’s brother Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the former Sri Lankan President, arrived in Singapore on 14 July on a “private visit” from the Maldives after he fled his country to escape a popular uprising against his government’s economic mismanagement Colombo: Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court on Monday extended until August 4 the overseas travel ban on former prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa …

Sri Lanka Parliament Extends Emergency Amid Continued Crisis
2 years, 4 months ago

Sri Lanka Parliament Extends Emergency Amid Continued Crisis

News 18  

Sri Lanka’s parliament approved the extension of a state of emergency for a month on Wednesday, a lawmaker said, in a bid to get a grip on a political and economic crisis that has forced a change of leadership. “It is my belief he may eventually consider returning to Sri Lanka but there is no definite political or other stance …

Sri Lanka’s Parliament approves state of emergency
2 years, 4 months ago

Sri Lanka’s Parliament approves state of emergency

Associated Press  

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka’s Parliament on Wednesday approved a state of emergency that had been declared by President Ranil Wickremesinghe as his government cracks down on demonstrators it accuses of violence while trying to find a way out of the country’s worst economic crisis. Wickremesinghe declared a state of emergency last week as acting president before lawmakers elected …

Gotabaya Rajapaksa to return to Sri Lanka from Singapore soon: Cabinet spokesman
2 years, 4 months ago

Gotabaya Rajapaksa to return to Sri Lanka from Singapore soon: Cabinet spokesman

India TV News  

Highlights Rajapaksa fled Sri Lanka after the July 9 uprising when people broke into the President’s House Rajapaksa first fled to the Maldives on July 13 and from there he proceeded to Singapore Sri Lanka is currently facing its worst economic crisis since its independence from Britain Former president of Sri Lanka, Gotabaya Rajapaksa is not in hiding and is …

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