News for '-gotabaya-rajapaksa'

Lanka's parliament to pick president on July 20, Wickremesinghe frontrunner

Lanka's parliament to pick president on July 20, Wickremesinghe frontrunner

Rediff.com15 Jul 2022

The 225-member Parliament will elect the new president by a secret vote on July 20, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said on Friday.

Mahinda resigns as Sri Lanka PM, nationwide curfew imposed

Mahinda resigns as Sri Lanka PM, nationwide curfew imposed

Rediff.com9 May 2022

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned on Monday, hours after his supporters attacked anti-government protesters outside embattled President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's office, leaving at least 78 people injured and prompting authorities to impose a nationwide curfew and deploy army troops in the capital.

India denies stopping issuance of visas in Sri Lanka

India denies stopping issuance of visas in Sri Lanka

Rediff.com13 May 2022

The High Commission said it was striving to return to its normal functioning soon.

'Ranil Go Home'

'Ranil Go Home'

Rediff.com21 Jul 2022

Outside parliament, Sri Lankans continued their protests against their newly elected president, who they charge with being close to the Rajapaksa political dynasty.

Celebration In Colombo As Ranil Wins

Celebration In Colombo As Ranil Wins

Rediff.com20 Jul 2022

This is the first time in 44 years that Sri Lanka's parliament has directly elected a president.

Are Rajapaksas' Days Numbered?

Are Rajapaksas' Days Numbered?

Rediff.com9 Apr 2022

In what appears to be more trouble for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his elder brother Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa's government, the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya party on Friday announced that it will move a no-confidence motion against the government if it fails to take steps to address the concerns of the public facing hardships due to the worst economic crisis in the island's history.

When Namal Met NaMo...

When Namal Met NaMo...

Rediff.com20 Oct 2021

When the first flight arrived at Kushinagar airport on Wednesday, it was not Gota or Mahinda who stepped out, but another Rajapaksa. Namal Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka's minister of sports.

PM offers $450 mn development, anti-terror aid to Lanka

PM offers $450 mn development, anti-terror aid to Lanka

Rediff.com29 Nov 2019

On the lingering Tamil issue, Modi said he was confident that the Sri Lankan government will carry forward the reconciliation process and fulfil the aspirations of the Tamil community.

Mahela, Sanga denounce 'govt-backed thugs'

Mahela, Sanga denounce 'govt-backed thugs'

Rediff.com11 May 2022

ICC Match Referee Roshan Mahanama joined his countrymen in the protest against the Gotabaya Rajapaksa government in Colombo.

Sri Lanka imposes curfew, blocks social media amid protests

Sri Lanka imposes curfew, blocks social media amid protests

Rediff.com3 Apr 2022

The move is aimed at preventing masses from gathering in Colombo to protest the government's failure to provide relief to the public suffering from shortages of food, essentials, fuel and medicine amidst hours-long power cuts, the Colombo Page newspaper reported.

Lanka 'probes' Indian media report on LTTE planning attack

Lanka 'probes' Indian media report on LTTE planning attack

Rediff.com15 May 2022

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who is currently facing public demand for his resignation over his mishandling of the economic crisis, is the man who ruthlessly ended Sri Lanka's nearly 30-year civil war with the LTTE with the death of its supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran in 2009.

Mahinda, Namal among 16 barred from travelling abroad

Mahinda, Namal among 16 barred from travelling abroad

Rediff.com12 May 2022

The order was also imposed on parliamentarians Johnston Fernando, Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Sanjeewa Edirimanne, Kanchana Jayaratne, Rohitha Abeygunawardena, C B Ratnayake, Sampath Athukorala, Renuka Perera, Sanath Nishantha, Senior DIG Deshabandu Thennakoon among others.

Spin king Muralitharan to be governor of Lankan province

Spin king Muralitharan to be governor of Lankan province

Rediff.com27 Nov 2019

Muralitharan is among the three new governors tipped to be appointed by Gotabaya Rajapaksa

Govt calls all-party meet on Sri Lanka as Tamil parties seek intervention

Govt calls all-party meet on Sri Lanka as Tamil parties seek intervention

Rediff.com17 Jul 2022

During a meeting of parties convened on Sunday ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Tamil Nadu-based Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam demanded India intervene in the neighbouring country which is facing a debilitating economic crisis.

Lanka's main Opposition SJB 'ready' to lead new govt

Lanka's main Opposition SJB 'ready' to lead new govt

Rediff.com11 Jul 2022

Sri Lanka's main opposition party Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) on Monday said it is ready to lead the next government to bring stability to the bankrupt island nation as it grapples with political and economic crises and any resistance to the move in Parliament will be seen as a 'treacherous act'.

Why Are Sri Lankans Protesting?

Why Are Sri Lankans Protesting?

Rediff.com18 Mar 2022

Angry protests in Colombo as Sri Lanka grapples with its worst ever economic crisis.

Mahinda Rajapaksa takes oath as Sri Lankan PM

Mahinda Rajapaksa takes oath as Sri Lankan PM

Rediff.com9 Aug 2020

Mahinda Rajapaksa completed 50 years of parliamentary politics in July this year. He was elected as a Member of Parliament at the young age of 24 in 1970. He has since been elected president twice and has been appointed prime minister thrice.

Lankan Prez flies to Singapore from Maldives

Lankan Prez flies to Singapore from Maldives

Rediff.com14 Jul 2022

Rajapaksa has departed from the Maldives on Saudi Airline flight SV 788 to Singapore, sources said.

Activists warn to lay siege to Lankan Parl amid demand for Gotabaya's ouster

Activists warn to lay siege to Lankan Parl amid demand for Gotabaya's ouster

Rediff.com7 May 2022

Thousands of student activists from the Inter University Students Federation blocked the main access road to the parliamentary complex since Thursday and carried on protests for almost 24 hours.

'Rajapaksa will try everything to hold on to power'

'Rajapaksa will try everything to hold on to power'

Rediff.com13 Jul 2022

'The fact that he hasn't resigned so far shows that he is going to do everything to hold onto power.'

India refutes reports of sending troops to Sri Lanka

India refutes reports of sending troops to Sri Lanka

Rediff.com11 Jul 2022

India on Sunday said it stands with the Sri Lankan people in their aspirations for prosperity and progress through democratic means, established institutions and constitutional framework.

Lanka crisis: PM Mahinda Rajapaksa proposes to amend Constitution

Lanka crisis: PM Mahinda Rajapaksa proposes to amend Constitution

Rediff.com19 Apr 2022

A statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office on Monday said that Mahinda Rajapaksa intends to propose a new Constitutional Amendment to the cabinet in order to fulfil the people's aspirations.

'Disturbed' Jaishankar offers help after Lankan hospital runs out of medicines

'Disturbed' Jaishankar offers help after Lankan hospital runs out of medicines

Rediff.com29 Mar 2022

The Director of the Peradeniya Hospital in the central district of Kandy on Monday announced the temporary suspension of all routine surgeries due to the shortage of medicine.

Lankan Prez adds 3 Tamils to legislative task force

Lankan Prez adds 3 Tamils to legislative task force

Rediff.com10 Nov 2021

President Rajapaksa, through a special gazette last month, appointed the 13-member task force for the establishment of a 'One Country, One Law' concept in Sri Lanka and comprised members from the majority Sinhala and minority Muslim communities.

Amid calls to quit, Gotabaya agrees to curb his powers

Amid calls to quit, Gotabaya agrees to curb his powers

Rediff.com12 May 2022

Sri Lanka's embattled President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, under immense pressure from the public and the Opposition to quit over the island nation's worst economic crisis, said on Thursday that the abolition of the executive presidency, a move that will curb his powers, will be considered by Parliament.

Sri Lanka: 'It has really hit us bad'

Sri Lanka: 'It has really hit us bad'

Rediff.com5 Apr 2022

'The economic crisis hit us from nowhere. No one saw it coming.'

Lankan Prez sacks brother Basil Rajapaksa as FM; invites Oppn to join unity Cabinet

Lankan Prez sacks brother Basil Rajapaksa as FM; invites Oppn to join unity Cabinet

Rediff.com4 Apr 2022

Basil had negotiated the Indian economic relief package to help Sri Lanka tackle the current foreign exchange crisis.

Sri Lanka declares emergency amidst protests over economic crisis

Sri Lanka declares emergency amidst protests over economic crisis

Rediff.com2 Apr 2022

Sri Lanka has also imposed a police curfew in Western Province for six hours.

Violent stir near Prez house an act of terrorism, says Lankan govt

Violent stir near Prez house an act of terrorism, says Lankan govt

Rediff.com1 Apr 2022

A statement issued by the presidential media division on Friday said an extremist group was behind the unrest near President Rajapaksa's residence in Mirihana.

India abstains, UNHRC votes against Lanka's rights record

India abstains, UNHRC votes against Lanka's rights record

Rediff.com23 Mar 2021

The UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Tuesday adopted a resolution against Sri Lanka's rights record, in a setback to Colombo, which made determined efforts to garner international support ahead of the voting.

Ranil Wickremesinghe is back as Sri Lanka's prime minister for 5th time

Ranil Wickremesinghe is back as Sri Lanka's prime minister for 5th time

Rediff.com12 May 2022

The 73-year-old United National Party was appointed as the prime minister by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa after they held closed-door discussions on Wednesday.

Sri Lanka orders tri-forces to shoot rioters at sight

Sri Lanka orders tri-forces to shoot rioters at sight

Rediff.com10 May 2022

Sri Lanka's ministry of defence on Tuesday ordered the army, air force and navy personnel to open fire on anyone looting public property or causing harm to others amidst violent protests in the island nation over the unprecedented economic crisis.

Gotabaya blames Covid for Lanka's economic woes

Gotabaya blames Covid for Lanka's economic woes

Rediff.com16 Jul 2022

Rajapaksa said he took the best steps like trying to form an all-party government to counter the economic meltdown.

Wickremesinghe elected Lankan president, to serve till November 2024

Wickremesinghe elected Lankan president, to serve till November 2024

Rediff.com20 Jul 2022

Ranil Wickremesinghe was on Wednesday elected as Sri Lanka's new President by Parliament, in a rare move that could provide continuity for ongoing discussions with the International Monetary Fund for a bailout for the cash-strapped nation but a development likely to anger anti-government protesters who have been demanding his resignation from office for weeks.

'I don't think one Rajapaksa can survive this storm'

'I don't think one Rajapaksa can survive this storm'

Rediff.com16 May 2022

'The Rajapaksas have been in active politics for decades and survived many challenges, but they seem to have misread this one.'

'You saved us, prevented bloodbath': Sri Lanka thanks India

'You saved us, prevented bloodbath': Sri Lanka thanks India

Rediff.com8 Jul 2023

'Never expected, and never in history, not a single country has extended that kind of assistance'

Lanka political crisis: Former Gotabaya ally pushes for snap polls

Lanka political crisis: Former Gotabaya ally pushes for snap polls

Rediff.com6 Apr 2022

Democratic Left Front politician Nanayakkara was among the 42 members who declared independence in Parliament from the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) coalition.

Crisis-hit Sri Lanka lifts state of emergency after 2 weeks

Crisis-hit Sri Lanka lifts state of emergency after 2 weeks

Rediff.com21 May 2022

Embattled Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had declared a state of emergency with effect from May 6 midnight, the second time in just over a month amidst growing countrywide anti-government protests over the economic crisis.

Sri Lankan Parliament votes to elect new President

Sri Lankan Parliament votes to elect new President

Rediff.com20 Jul 2022

The Sri Lankan Parliament is all set to elect the successor to Gotabaya Rajapaksa in a three-way presidential contest on Wednesday, following a high-voltage political drama which saw the former president fleeing the country and resigning after a popular uprising against his government for mismanaging the economy.

Sri Lankan MP, security guard killed as violence erupts across nation

Sri Lankan MP, security guard killed as violence erupts across nation

Rediff.com9 May 2022

A Sri Lankan parliamentarian of the ruling party of the Rajapaksas and his personal security officer were killed on Monday in clashes between anti- and pro-government protesters in the country.