‘Rajapaksa should be tried for war crimes’
10 years ago

‘Rajapaksa should be tried for war crimes’

The Hindu  

Cadres of Tamil nationalist parties staged a demonstration in front of the Railway Station here on Friday condemning the United Nations for postponing the war crimes investigations against Sri Lanka. Many speakers at the protest demanded that the former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa should be tried for his role in the killings of Tamils in the island nation. “But we suspect that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Maitripala Sirisena would conspire to protect Mr. Rajapaksa. The UN body must go ahead and present its report and bring Mr. Rajapaksa to justice for his role in the war crimes,” he added.

Sri Lanka War Crimes Rajapaksa  tamils  sri  mr  secretary  war  president  role  tried  report  rajapaksa  crimes  killings

History of this topic

Arrest of Tamil fishermen should be seen as attack on India’s sovereignty: Anbumani
1 month ago

Arrest of Tamil fishermen should be seen as attack on India’s sovereignty: Anbumani

The Hindu  

PMK Leader Anbumani Ramadoss on Sunday said the recent arrest of fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy should be seen as an attack on India’s sovereignty, and demanded the Central government to issue a strong warning to the Sri Lankan government. In a statement, Dr. Anbumani said though the issue of Tamil Nadu fishermen crossing the maritime boundary should be …

Sri Lankan Govt blames unrest provokers for spate of violence in country; vows action
1 month ago

Sri Lankan Govt blames unrest provokers for spate of violence in country; vows action

The Hindu  

The Sri Lankan Government said on Saturday that the recent killings in the country, including that of a prominent underworld figure, appear to be an attempt to undermine the ongoing investigations into high-profile criminal cases such as the 2019 Easter Sunday suicide bombings. Mr. Seneviratne said the government has felt that recent killings were an attempt to sabotage the ongoing …

Sri Lankan govt unaware of move to arrest former president Rajapaksa, says minister
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Sri Lankan govt unaware of move to arrest former president Rajapaksa, says minister

New Indian Express  

COLOMBO: Sri Lankan minister Nalin Jayathissa said on Wednesday that the government is unaware of any move to arrest former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa in the Easter Sunday bombings case. Gammanpila, a former minister, said the government planned to arrest Rajapaksa and Suresh Sallay, the then chief of state intelligence to pin the blame on the state intelligence services for the …

Former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa’s elder son Namal Rajapaksa indicted for alleged misappropriation
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa’s elder son Namal Rajapaksa indicted for alleged misappropriation

The Hindu  

Former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa’s elder son has been indicted in the High Court for alleged misappropriation from an Indian investment before 2015. Namal Rajapaksa, 38, was arrested in June 2016 for the alleged misuse of 70 million Sri Lankan rupees from the Krish hotel project money to develop the game of rugby, for which he had been a …

Sri Lanka former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son issued travel ban in corruption case
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Sri Lanka former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son issued travel ban in corruption case

The Hindu  

The son of Sri Lanka’s former president Mahinda Rajapaksa was banned on Monday from leaving the country following his arrest for alleged money laundering. The case against Yoshitha Rajapaksa dates back years, but has received renewed impetus since President Anura Kumara Dissanayake — who has vowed to fight endemic corruption — won a landslide election victory. His older brother Namal, …

Former Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa’s son arrested by police on corruption charges
2 months ago

Former Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa’s son arrested by police on corruption charges

The Hindu  

Former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son Yoshitha Rajapaksa was arrested by police on Saturday on corruption charges in a property purchase case. His uncle and former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was also quizzed by the police last week on the same property — a holiday home in the southern religious resort of Kataragama. The arrest came as Mahinda Rajapaksa filed …

Sri Lankans ousted Rajapaksa clan from power two years ago. Now they are back in the fray
6 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?
6 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 …

Sri Lankans’ fury forced the powerful Rajapaksa clan out. Now its heir is running for president
6 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’s Dissanayake a strong contender for president with his alliance’s focus on working class
6 months, 3 weeks ago

Sri Lanka’s Dissanayake a strong contender for president with his alliance’s focus on working class

Associated Press  

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — A political alliance centered on the working class has emerged as a strong contender in Sri Lanka’s presidential race, announcing itself to be the agent of change that millions of people called for when an unprecedented economic crisis led to disillusionment with traditional political parties. Anura Kumara Dissanayake, leader of National People’s Power alliance and its …

Heir apparent to Sri Lanka’s powerful Rajapaksa family will run in September’s presidential election
7 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
7 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’ party decides against backing Ranil in presidential election
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Rajapaksas’ party decides against backing Ranil in presidential election

The Hindu  

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna — led by the once-powerful Rajapaksa clan which was deposed from power in 2022 — has said it will not back President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the presidential polls in September. On their party’s poll-time decision, SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam said Mr. Wickremesinghe’s policies were not agreeable to members. Namal Rajapaksa, son of former President …

Sri Lanka Tamils Mark 15 Years Since End Of Civil War
10 months, 1 week ago

Sri Lanka Tamils Mark 15 Years Since End Of Civil War

News 18  

Sri Lanka’s minority Tamil community marked 15 years since the end of the island nation’s civil war on Saturday in an emotional ceremony that proceeded despite fears authorities would attempt to prevent its staging. Sri Lankan authorities have repeatedly disrupted similar memorials in the island’s former war zones over the years and arrested participants, but Saturday’s ceremony went ahead without …

As Sri Lanka marks five years since horrific Easter bombings, UN calls for justice for victims
11 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 top court finds Rajapaksa brothers guilty of economic crisis
1 year, 4 months 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, 5 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 …

Top U.N. official flags ‘accountability deficit’ in Sri Lanka
1 year, 9 months ago

Top U.N. official flags ‘accountability deficit’ in Sri Lanka

The Hindu  

COLOMBO Accountability remains the “fundamental gap” in Sri Lanka’s attempts to deal with the past, a senior U.N. official has said while warning that “as long as impunity prevails, Sri Lanka will achieve neither genuine reconciliation nor sustainable peace.” Referring to the Sri Lankan government’s plans to set up a Truth Commission, to probe allegations of war crimes and grave …

Ex-Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa quizzed over hidden cash stash
2 years, 1 month 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, …

Canada sanctions Gotabaya and Mahinda Rajapaksa for human rights violation during Sri Lanka's civil war
2 years, 2 months ago

Canada sanctions Gotabaya and Mahinda Rajapaksa for human rights violation during Sri Lanka's civil war

Firstpost  

Also sanctioned are two senior military officers, including Ratnayake, whom a court sentenced to death for his role in a massacre of Tamils in 2000. He was later pardoned by the government Toronto: Canada on Tuesday imposed sanctions on four Sri Lankans, including former presidents Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his brother Mahinda Rajapaksa, for committing what it called “gross and systematic …

Former Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa, family leaves for Dubai
2 years, 2 months ago

Former Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa, family leaves for Dubai

Firstpost  

Rajapaksa,73, fled Sri Lanka to the Maldives on a Sri Lankan Airforce plane in July, as the country plunged into its worst economic and humanitarian crisis since its independence. He returned to the country months later Colombo: Former Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who was ousted from power earlier this year over his government’s mishandling of the country’s economy, on …

Mahinda Rajapaksa blames ‘foreign forces’ for Sri Lanka’s crisis
2 years, 4 months 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 Lankan President Wickremesinghe hopeful of resolving problems faced by ethnic Tamils
2 years, 4 months ago

Sri Lankan President Wickremesinghe hopeful of resolving problems faced by ethnic Tamils

The Hindu  

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has said he is hopeful of resolving the problems faced by ethnic Tamils in the country, as he announced the appointment of a committee to find ways to integrate the Indian-origin workers in the plantation sector into the society. “While some of the Tamils of Hill Country origin had integrated successfully into the Sri Lankan …

Sri Lankans march against government crackdown on protests
2 years, 4 months ago

Sri Lankans march against government crackdown on protests

Associated Press  

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Thousands of Sri Lankans marched in the capital on Thursday to urge the government to halt its crackdown on protests against an unprecedented economic crisis that has engulfed the Indian Ocean nation for months. Ravi Kumudesh, a trade union leader, said the demonstrators wanted to “give a clear message to the government: Stop harassing those who …

Sri Lanka's ousted President Gotabaya Rajapaksa faces legal troubles with no immunity
2 years, 6 months ago

Sri Lanka's ousted President Gotabaya Rajapaksa faces legal troubles with no immunity

India TV News  

Sri Lanka's ousted President Gotabaya Rajapaksa faces legal troubles with no immunity Sri Lanka news: Rajapaksa flew to Colombo around midnight Friday from Thailand and was escorted under military guard to his new home in the capital. Highlights Gotabaya Rajapaksa could face legal action over forced disappearances of activists Rajapaksa returned home after seven weeks in exile following protests over …

Sri Lanka’s ousted president Gotabaya Rajapaksa faces arrest calls after return
2 years, 6 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 …

Sri Lanka: Former president Rajapaksa Gotabaya faces arrest calls after returning from exile
2 years, 6 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, 6 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, 6 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 …

Sri Lanka’s former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa returns home from Thailand
2 years, 6 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, 6 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 …

Sri Lanka's Rights Body Urges Wickremesinghe to Provide Protection to Gotabaya Rajapaksa & His Family
2 years, 7 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 …

Sri Lanka's main Opposition party demands former president Rajapaksa must be tried for misusing funds
2 years, 7 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, 7 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, 7 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 …

Rajapaksa expected to land in Thailand as Sri Lankan protesters pack up camp after brutal crackdown
2 years, 7 months ago

Rajapaksa expected to land in Thailand as Sri Lankan protesters pack up camp after brutal crackdown

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. Read our privacy policy Former Sri Lankan president Gotabaya …

Sri Lanka using emergency to harass and arrest peaceful political protesters, says Human Rights Watch
2 years, 7 months ago

Sri Lanka using emergency to harass and arrest peaceful political protesters, says Human Rights Watch

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. Read our privacy policy An international human rights group …

Sri Lanka arrests 43-year-old protest leader Joseph Stalin
2 years, 7 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: Can the Rajapaksas oust president Ranil Wickremesinghe from power?
2 years, 7 months ago

Sri Lanka: Can the Rajapaksas oust president Ranil Wickremesinghe from power?

Firstpost  

Backed by the Rajapaksas’ party, Wickremesinghe became the president. Now at the helm of affairs, he faces multiple challenges including how to keep the Rajapaksas at bay It was a dream of a lifetime come true for Ranil Wickremesinghe when he took the oath as Sri Lanka’s president on 21 July 2022. Backed by the Rajapaksas’ party Sri Lanka Podujana …

Rajapaksa likely to face charges of graft and war crimes on return to Sri Lanka
2 years, 7 months ago

Rajapaksa likely to face charges of graft and war crimes on return to Sri Lanka

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. Read our privacy policy Sri Lanka’s disgraced former president …

Criminal complaint filed against Gotabaya Rajapaksa for ’war crimes’
2 years, 8 months ago

Criminal complaint filed against Gotabaya Rajapaksa for ’war crimes’

Live Mint  

A South Africa-based rights group has submitted a criminal complaint to the Attorney General of Singapore requesting the arrest of former Sri Lankan President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, for alleged war crimes. The legal complaint states that Gotabaya Rajapaksa committed violations of international humanitarian law and international criminal law during the civil war in Sri Lanka. "It details how the decision to …

Group seeks ex-Sri Lankan president’s arrest in Singapore
2 years, 8 months ago

Group seeks ex-Sri Lankan president’s arrest in Singapore

Associated Press  

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — A human rights group said Sunday it had filed a criminal complaint with Singapore’s attorney general to seek the arrest of Sri Lanka’s former president for alleged war crimes during his country’s civil war. The complaint alleges Rajapaksa committed grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions during the civil war “and that these are crimes subject to …

Rights group seeks arrest of ex-Sri Lanka president in Singapore
2 years, 8 months ago

Rights group seeks arrest of ex-Sri Lanka president in Singapore

Al Jazeera  

The International Truth and Justice Project says Gotabaya Rajapaksa committed grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions during the civil war. A rights group documenting alleged abuses in Sri Lanka has filed a criminal complaint with Singapore’s attorney general, seeking the arrest of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa for his role in the island nation’s decades-long civil war. In its 63-page complaint …

Rights groups urge Sri Lanka not to use force on protesters
2 years, 8 months ago

Rights groups urge Sri Lanka not to use force on protesters

Associated Press  

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — International human rights groups on Saturday urged Sri Lanka’s new president to immediately order security forces to cease use of force against protesters after troops and police cleared their main camp following months of demonstrations over the country’s economic meltdown. “Urgently needed measures to address the economic needs of Sri Lankans demand a government that respects …

Sri Lanka president gets long-sought win, faces challenges
2 years, 8 months ago

Sri Lanka president gets long-sought win, faces challenges

Associated Press  

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Six times Sri Lanka’s prime minister, President Ranil Wickremesinghe had long aspired to the pinnacle of power, enduring setback after setback but always managing to recover from seemingly impossible defeats. Meanwhile, out on the streets, protesters were chanting, “Ranil, go home!” Over the years, Wickremesinghe has moved in and out of the prime minister’s office as …

Rights groups urge Sri Lanka not to use force on protesters
2 years, 8 months ago

Rights groups urge Sri Lanka not to use force on protesters

Al Jazeera  

International human rights groups have urged Sri Lanka’s new president to immediately order security forces to cease all unlawful use of force against protesters, who have been demonstrating over the country’s economic meltdown. Human Rights Watch said the incident “sends a dangerous message to the Sri Lankan people that the new government intends to act through brute force rather than …

Sri Lankan troops forcefully clear protesters; new PM named
2 years, 8 months ago

Sri Lankan troops forcefully clear protesters; new PM named

Associated Press  

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lankan forces violently cleared the main protest camp of demonstrators outraged by the country’s economic meltdown as the newly elected and deeply unpopular president put army troops in the streets of the capital Friday to maintain order. Sri Lankans have taken to the streets for months demanding their leaders resign over an economic crisis that …

Dinesh Gunawardena appointed as Sri Lankan prime minister
2 years, 8 months ago

Dinesh Gunawardena appointed as Sri Lankan prime minister

Firstpost  

Dinesh Gunawardena, a veteran political leader, was appointed as prime minister by his schoolmate and now President Ranil Wickremesinghe Colombo, Sri Lanka: A longtime ally of the Rajapaksa political family was appointed Friday as Sri Lanka’s new prime minister, hours after security forces cleared the main protest site occupied for months by demonstrators angry at the Rajapaksas over the country’s …

Sri Lanka's newly elected President Ranil Wickremesinghe sworn in
2 years, 8 months ago

Sri Lanka's newly elected President Ranil Wickremesinghe sworn in

The Hindu  

Veteran politician Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as Sri Lanka's new President on July 21 to take charge of a nation bitterly angry. Lawmakers apparently considered him the safer hands to lead the nation through the crisis, despite public anger at Mr. Wickremesinghe as an example of the nation's problematic political establishment. But protesters flocked to the Presidential residence instead, …

Profile: Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sri Lanka’s new president
2 years, 8 months ago

Profile: Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sri Lanka’s new president

Al Jazeera  

The veteran politician has been elected president by the members of Sri Lanka’s parliament. Colombo, Sri Lanka – Ranil Wickremesinghe has been elected Sri Lanka’s new president, less than a week after his predecessor Gotabaya Rajapaksa was forced to flee the country amid mass protests over the country’s crippling economic crisis. Alan Keenan, senior consultant with the International Crisis Group, …

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