News for 'Mahinda Rajapaksa'

Sri Lankan parliament to elect new president on July 20: Speaker

Sri Lankan parliament to elect new president on July 20: Speaker

Rediff.com11 Jul 2022

The decision was taken during a crucial all-party leaders meeting held earlier in the day.

Rajapaksa given entry on private visit, no asylum request: Singapore

Rajapaksa given entry on private visit, no asylum request: Singapore

Rediff.com14 Jul 2022

A Saudi airlines flight -- SV 788 -- carrying Rajapaksa landed at the Singapore Changi International Airport shortly after 7 pm (local time).

Rain threatens Asia Cup: Venue change sparks controversy

Rain threatens Asia Cup: Venue change sparks controversy

Rediff.com3 Sep 2023

Asia Cup matches likely to be shifted out of Colombo after heavy rains

NSA Menon in Sri Lanka for high-level talks

NSA Menon in Sri Lanka for high-level talks

Rediff.com29 Jun 2012

Menon, who arrived in Colombo by a special flight just after midnight on Thursday night, is scheduled to meet President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his younger brothers Basil Rajapaksa, Minister of Economic development; and Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Defence Secretary, officials said.

CHOGM summit: PM writes to Rajapaksa, expresses regret

CHOGM summit: PM writes to Rajapaksa, expresses regret

Rediff.com10 Nov 2013

Dr Singh has written a short letter to Rajapaksa informing him of his decision not to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit (CHOGM), sources said.

CPI-ML to oppose Sri Lankan president's Bodh Gaya visit

CPI-ML to oppose Sri Lankan president's Bodh Gaya visit

Rediff.com7 Feb 2013

The Communist Party of India Marxist-Leninist will oppose Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa's visit to Bodh Gaya in Bihar on February 8, protesting against the 'Tamil genocide' in his country.

India denies R&AW role in Rajapaksa's poll defeat

India denies R&AW role in Rajapaksa's poll defeat

Rediff.com18 Jan 2015

India has dismissed reports that the Colombo station chief of the Research and Analysis Wing had been expelled in the run up to this month's Sri Lankan presidential election and maintained that he has moved out after completion of his three-year tenure.

Tributes pour in for Dr Singh from across the globe

Tributes pour in for Dr Singh from across the globe

Rediff.com27 Dec 2024

Condolences have poured in from across the globe, including from the United States, Canada and Sri Lanka following the demise of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Rajapaksa emails resignation from Singapore, formal announcement on Friday

Rajapaksa emails resignation from Singapore, formal announcement on Friday

Rediff.com14 Jul 2022

Speaker's media secretary Indunil Abeywardena said a resignation letter from President Rajapaksa has been received through the Sri Lanka high commission in Singapore.

DMK slams SL prez ruling out greater autonomy for Tamils

DMK slams SL prez ruling out greater autonomy for Tamils

Rediff.com6 Feb 2013

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam on Wednesday strongly criticised Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa for ruling out greater political autonomy for Tamils, saying India should at least "wake up" now and help secure their livelihood and democratic rights.

We have proud record of safeguarding human rights: Lanka

We have proud record of safeguarding human rights: Lanka

Rediff.com31 Mar 2012

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Saturday said that his country has a rich and proud record of safeguarding human rights. Addressing a public gathering in the central town of Balangoda, Rajapaksa said Sri Lanka's human rights protection was inspired by the influence of Buddhism over a period of over 2,500 years.

SL claims victory ahead of crucial UN rights vote

SL claims victory ahead of crucial UN rights vote

Rediff.com16 Mar 2013

Sri Lanka has described the adoption of its periodic review of human rights at Geneva's United Nations Human Rights Commission sessions without a division as a victory and an acknowledgment of its rights progress.

TN: Man dies after self-immolation against SL govt

TN: Man dies after self-immolation against SL govt

Rediff.com4 Mar 2013

A 41-year-old man from Cuddalore district died after self-immolation while several pro-Tamil outfits tried to picket the Lankan deputy high commission in Chennai demanding action against the Rajapaksa government for alleged war crimes.

Gambhir, Nehra fit after Ayurvedic treatment in SL

Gambhir, Nehra fit after Ayurvedic treatment in SL

Rediff.com23 Mar 2010

Indian opener Gautam Gambhir and fast bowler Ashish Nehra met Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and thanked him for facilitating their quick treatment at the hands of a reputed Sri Lankan Ayurvedic physician.

Lanka to continue to train its defence personnel in India

Lanka to continue to train its defence personnel in India

Rediff.com3 Oct 2012

Notwithstanding stiff opposition from political parties in Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka on Wednesday asserted that it was 'very firm' on continuing the training programme of its defence personnel in India and ruled out sending them to countries such as China.

Vaiko, supporters arrive in MP in buses to block SL Prez

Vaiko, supporters arrive in MP in buses to block SL Prez

Rediff.com19 Sep 2012

Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary Vaiko on Wednesday criticised the Centre as well as Bharatiya Janata Party-led Madhya Pradesh government for inviting Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to a function in Sanchi near Bhopal.

Meira Kumar meets Lankan President Rajapakse in Colombo

Meira Kumar meets Lankan President Rajapakse in Colombo

Rediff.com14 Sep 2012

Developmental works being undertaken by India in war-torn northern Sri Lanka and the current political situation came up for discussion when Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar met President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Colombo on Friday. Kumar is in Colombo to attend the 58th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference. She met Rajapaksa at his official residence and discussed a host of issues that concern the relationship between the two countries.

Human rights: Commonwealth ready to help Lanka

Human rights: Commonwealth ready to help Lanka

Rediff.com7 Jun 2012

A day after Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa was forced to cancel his speech here in the face of protests by Tamil groups, the Commonwealth on Thursday said it had offered support to the country to promote reconciliation in the trouble-torn country.

'De Silva, Jayasuriya were involved in fixing international matches'

'De Silva, Jayasuriya were involved in fixing international matches'

Rediff.com6 Jun 2011

Ex-Sri Lanka captain Hashan Thilekaratne has reportedly alleged that two former senior Lankan cricketers -- Aravinda de Silva and Sanath Jayasuriya -- and former Sri Lanka Cricket Board President Thilanga Sumathipala were involved in fixing international matches.

Sri Lanka's political crisis turns violent; 1 dead in shooting

Sri Lanka's political crisis turns violent; 1 dead in shooting

Rediff.com28 Oct 2018

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya questioned the president's decision to suspend parliament till November 16, saying it will have "serious and undesirable" consequences on the country.

Lankan panel ready with report on war against LTTE

Lankan panel ready with report on war against LTTE

Rediff.com31 Oct 2011

The reconciliation commission studying Sri Lanka's ethnic war and its aftermath is ready with its final report and may present it to President Mahinda Rajapaksa over the next 15 days. Officials said on Monday that the report of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission is being readied for presentation to the President who will then decide on making it public. LLRC spokesman Lakshman Wickremasinghe said the report could be presented to Rajapaksa before the November 15

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.

Former Lanka opener Dilshan takes up politics

Former Lanka opener Dilshan takes up politics

Rediff.com14 Nov 2018

Joins Rajapaksa's newly-formed Sri Lanka People's Party

NSA in Lanka; to discuss Tamil issue, maritime security treaty

NSA in Lanka; to discuss Tamil issue, maritime security treaty

Rediff.com8 Jul 2013

National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon arrived in Colombo on Monday to hold crucial talks on the controversial 13th amendment on devolution of power in the Tamil-dominated northern province and a trilateral maritime security treaty with Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

Dom's Take: Politics scores over Sports again

Dom's Take: Politics scores over Sports again

Rediff.com20 Oct 2020

Dominic Xavier offers his take on the unfortunate controversy and asks why politics must score over sport.

Attack forces Lankan prez to prune Nepal visit

Attack forces Lankan prez to prune Nepal visit

Rediff.com3 Mar 2009

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has decided to cut short his visit to Nepal in the wake of Tuesday's terror attack on his country's cricketers in Pakistan, after inking two agreements with the country

Murthy quits as IT advisor to Sri Lankan Prez

Murthy quits as IT advisor to Sri Lankan Prez

Rediff.com19 Feb 2009

Within days of his appointment as International Advisor on Information Technology to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, IT czar N R Narayana Murthy on Wednesday quit from the post citing personal reasons.

Sri Lankan army chief who crushed LTTE to be released

Sri Lankan army chief who crushed LTTE to be released

Rediff.com20 May 2012

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Sunday ordered the release of his former army chief turned political rival Sarath Fonseka, paving the way for him to walk out of prison after two years

Lanka crisis: Blow to Rajapaksa govt as 3 MPs withdraw support

Lanka crisis: Blow to Rajapaksa govt as 3 MPs withdraw support

Rediff.com20 Apr 2022

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who is under pressure to resign, was dealt a further blow on Wednesday when three more parliamentarians withdrew their support to the government.

What is Army Chief doing in Sri Lanka?

What is Army Chief doing in Sri Lanka?

Rediff.com14 Oct 2021

In a statement released on the eve of General Naravane's visit, the Indian high commission in Colombo described Sri Lanka as India's 'Priority One' partner.

Sri Lankan President on a private visit to India

Sri Lankan President on a private visit to India

Rediff.com8 Feb 2013

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Friday left for a two-day visit to India during which he will offer prayers at Bodh Gaya and Tirupathi. He would visit Bodh Gaya and Tirupathi and the visit was of a personal nature, presidential officials said.

Lanka seeks humanitarian solution to fishing row

Lanka seeks humanitarian solution to fishing row

Rediff.com14 Jan 2011

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa advocated a "humanitarian approach" to avoid clashes between fishermen from India and his country near the international maritime border (IMB).

Sirisena sworn-in as Sri Lanka's new president

Sirisena sworn-in as Sri Lanka's new president

Rediff.com9 Jan 2015

Maithripala Sirisena, who scored a stunning victory, was on Friday sworn-in as Sri Lankan president, bringing the curtains down on the 10-year rule of Mahinda Rajapaksa, marking a smooth transition of power.

Sri Lanka war commission report to be made public

Sri Lanka war commission report to be made public

Rediff.com1 Nov 2011

Amid speculation that the crucial Sri Lankan probe into the three-decade ethnic conflict may be kept under wraps, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has decided to make the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission findings public.

Row erupts in Sri Lanka over Gotabaya's resignation report

Row erupts in Sri Lanka over Gotabaya's resignation report

Rediff.com20 Apr 2022

There have been growing calls for President Rajapaksa's resignation over the past few weeks over his government's mishandling of Sri Lanka's worsening economic crisis.

Jayaratne sworn in as Lanka PM

Jayaratne sworn in as Lanka PM

Rediff.com21 Apr 2010

Veteran Sri Lankan socialist leader D M Jayaratne, a close ally of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, was sworn-in on Wednesday as the country's 20th prime minister after the ruling party secured a near two-thirds majority.

'Lanka Prez helped Cong-DMK alliance in TN polls'

'Lanka Prez helped Cong-DMK alliance in TN polls'

Rediff.com14 Jan 2010

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa helped the Congress-Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam alliance's performance in Tamil Nadu during last year's parliamentary elections by agreeing to halt the use of heavy weapons against the Liberation Tigers of the Tamil Eelam in the final stages of the civil war, a top Sri Lankan official has claimed.

Sri Lanka dumps 'insulting' WC anthem

Sri Lanka dumps 'insulting' WC anthem

Rediff.com24 Feb 2011

Lyrics sung by young pop star Lahiru Perera reportedly upset Rajapaksa and a presidential aide said that the President was unhappy at taunts in the song against competing countries.

Pranab meets Lankan Prez, discusses Tamil IDPs

Pranab meets Lankan Prez, discusses Tamil IDPs

Rediff.com15 Nov 2009

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday called on Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and discussed with him bilateral relations and the issue of resettlement of the war displaced Tamils.

Lankan President wanted to 'chat' with Prabhakaran

Lankan President wanted to 'chat' with Prabhakaran

Rediff.com14 Jul 2009

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has said that he had never met slain Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran and would have preferred to chat with him."I would have preferred to bring him here and have a chat with him. I have never seen this man," Rajapaksa said. The President also said he was not at all interested in knowing how the LTTE chief had been killed.