Mahinda Rajapaksa
latest news & developments
Sri Lanka reinstates ousted prime minister: official
The 69-year-old leader was sworn in by President Maithripala Sirisena, who sacked him on October 26
Zuma returns from fractious Sri Lanka Commonwealth summit
President Jacob Zuma has returned from a summit dominated by allegations of war crimes in Sri Lanka during the bloody climax of its 26-year civil war.
Former Sri Lanka presidential hopeful gets new prison term
Sarath Fonseka has been handed a three-year sentence for ‘false statements’ he made about a state order to kill separatist Tamil fighters.
Amnesty seeks UN probe on Sri Lanka war crimes
At least 10 000 civilians were killed in the final months of Sri Lanka’s civil war but a national inquiry has failed so far to investigate war crimes.
Sri Lankan leader gambles on January election
Sri Lanka will hold early presidential elections on January 26, officials said on Friday.
US urges Sri Lanka to reach out to Tamils
As Sri Lanka declared victory in one of the world’s most intractable wars, the EU and US urged its government to reach out to its Tamil population.
Sri Lanka says combat gives way to rescue
Sri Lanka on Monday said heavy combat was over in a last pocket of territory held by the LTTE and it was shifting its focus to rescuing civilians.
Rebel myth shattered, says Sri Lankan president
The myth that the Tigers were unbeatable has been shattered with a victory over the separatists inevitable, Sri Lanka’s president was quoted as saying
Sri Lanka: Thousands escape war zone
More than 23 000 civilians escaped last month from a war zone in Sri Lanka’s north, where the military appears close to crushing rebels.
Sri Lanka urges rebels to let civilians flee war zone
Sri Lanka’s president urged the Tiger rebels on Friday to allow about 250 000 civilians trapped in the northern war zone to flee to safety.
Hundreds of civilians killed, says Sri Lankan official
A Sri Lankan health official says recent heavy fighting in the north has killed more than 300 civilians and wounded at least 1 000 others.
Rebels kill seven in Sri Lanka bombing
Assault signals Tamil Tigers are turning to guerrilla tactics as government closes in on rebel-held territory.
Sri Lanka troops march into rebel headquarters
Sri Lankan troops marched into the Tamil Tigers’ de facto capital of Kilinochchi and the town is about to fall to the government , an official said.
War without end
Hard not to laugh when you’re told about Claymore landmines. I am being told of them by a helpful young Sri Lankan near a military checkpoint.
Suicide blast kills Sri Lanka minister
A suspected Tamil Tiger suicide bomber killed Sri Lanka’s highways minister and at least 11 others on Sunday gathered for a marathon race near the capital, the government said.…