Category: Politics
‘s ex-military chief says will run for presidency
November 28, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s ex-military chief has said he plans to run for the presidency in January elections in a bid to unseat his former boss Mahinda Rajapakse.Meanwhile, a group of opposition parties met elections commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake late Friday after he formally announced the date of the presidential poll, an opposition […]
Sri Lanka gets new tourism minister
Nov 27, 2009 (LBO) – Achala Jagoda, a parliamentarian representing the National Freedom Front, an ally of the ruling coalition has been appointed the island’s new tourism minister, the government’s information office said.Nandana Gunatileke, the former minister left the NFF, which is a breakaway faction of Sri Lanka Marxist Nationalist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna. Gunatileke has […]
Sri Lanka to hold presidential poll Jan 26: election office
November 27, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s electoral office said Friday that presidential elections would be held on January 26, with President Mahinda Rajapakse expected to face his former military chief Sarath Fonseka.“Elections will be held on the 26th of January,” Dayananda Dissanayake, the commissioner of elections, told AFP by telephone. Rajapakse, 64, called the […]
Sri Lanka navy seizes 142 migrants: spokesman
November 24, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s navy on Tuesday seized four fishing trawlers carrying 142 illegal migrants heading for Australia, a spokesman said.The boats were detected off the island’s southern coast while they were moving eastward in the direction of Australia, navy spokesman Athula Senarath said. “The passengers had paid large sums of money […]
Sri Lanka ex-military chief asks court to restore bodyguards
November 24, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s former top army general Tuesday asked the Supreme Court to restore his security contingent which has been drastically scaled down following a spat with the president, officials said.General Sarath Fonseka petitioned the country’s highest court seeking the restoration of his 600-member strong bodyguard unit which has been slashed […]
Sri Lanka president calls snap election
November 23, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s president Mahinda Rajapakse Monday announced he was calling a snap election to seek a second term, six months after his security forces defeated separatist Tamil Tiger rebels. President Rajapakse said in a statement that he was seeking a fresh mandate after completing four years in office out of […]
Sri Lanka ex-military chief to run against president: party
November 24, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s former military chief, General Sarath Fonseka, will challenge his ex-boss President Mahinda Rajapakse in upcoming elections, a key leftist opposition party announced Tuesday.The JVP, or People’s Liberation Front, which had earlier backed Rajapakse, said they secured an agreement with Fonseka, 58, to stand against Rajapakse, who on Monday […]
Sri Lanka to hold early presidential polls: minister
November 23, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lanka will hold early presidential elections within months, media minister Anura Yapa told reporters on Monday, after government forces defeated the Tamil Tiger rebels six months ago.However former army general Sarath Fonseka, who is widely credited with the military strategy that secured victory in May, is expected to stand […]
”’ human rights
November 20, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s former top military officer who resigned last week promised on Friday to “fight for democracy” amid reports he will challenge the president at upcoming elections.General Sarath Fonseka, who quit as chief of defence staff following a spat with President Mahinda Rajapakse, said he was committing himself to restoring […]
Sri Lanka has released half of war-displaced: minister
November 20, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lanka has released more than half of the thousands of displaced civilians held in government camps after the end of the country’s ethnic conflict earlier this year, a minister said Friday. “We feel the security situation has eased considerably now to allow people to return to their homes,” Human […]
Sri Lanka promotes air chief after spat with army general
November 16, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s president on Monday promoted his air force commander to be the country’s top military officer to replace General Sarath Fonseka who quit following a rift with the government, an official said.Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonetileke, 53, was made the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) from Monday in […]
Sri Lanka president delays election announcement
November 15, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse Sunday asked his supporters for more time to announce dates for snap elections as he faced an unexpected challenge from his erstwhile military chief.General Sarath Fonseka resigned last week after accusing the government of corruption, mismanagement and failing to “win the peace” with minority Tamils […]