News for 'Rajapaksas'

Rajapaksa faces new crisis as dissidents plan to ditch govt

Rajapaksa faces new crisis as dissidents plan to ditch govt

Rediff.com5 Apr 2022

The dissidents, led by former president Sirisena's Sri Lanka Freedom Party, would leave the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna coalition with its 14 Members of Parliament, party sources said after their meeting with the President on Monday.

Emergency imposed in Sri Lanka after Rajapaksa flees

Emergency imposed in Sri Lanka after Rajapaksa flees

Rediff.com13 Jul 2022

Sri Lanka on Wednesday declared a state of emergency after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled to the Maldives on a military jet in the face of a public revolt against his government for mishandling the country's economy.

Still in hiding, Rajapaksa orders cooking gas distribution for public

Still in hiding, Rajapaksa orders cooking gas distribution for public

Rediff.com10 Jul 2022

In recent months people have been blocking roads across the country in a desperate bid to force the government to address the issue of acute gas shortages.

Protesters claim to have found 17.85 mn rupees in Rajapaksa's house

Protesters claim to have found 17.85 mn rupees in Rajapaksa's house

Rediff.com10 Jul 2022

A video is being shared on social media showing the protesters counting the currency notes that were unearthed. The recovered money was said to be handed over to the security units, the Daily Mirror newspaper reported.

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.

Protesters storm Lanka president's home, swim in Rajapaksa's pool

Protesters storm Lanka president's home, swim in Rajapaksa's pool

Rediff.com9 Jul 2022

The President had been moved out of his residence on Friday, in anticipation of Saturday's protests.

'Rajapaksa didn't trust India, tilted towards China'

'Rajapaksa didn't trust India, tilted towards China'

Rediff.com15 Jul 2022

'A fragile Sri Lanka will have a serious impact on the security of India.'

Amid resignation report, Rajapaksa says he is ready to make 'any sacrifice'

Amid resignation report, Rajapaksa says he is ready to make 'any sacrifice'

Rediff.com9 May 2022

Despite mounting pressure, Gotabaya, and Prime Minister Mahinda have refused to quit office.

Sri Lanka on the boil as anti-Rajapaksa protests enter 50th day

Sri Lanka on the boil as anti-Rajapaksa protests enter 50th day

Rediff.com28 May 2022

Sri Lankan police on Saturday fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse anti-government protestors here as the ongoing agitation demanding the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa over the worst economic crisis intensified as it entered its 50th day.

'Ranil's views are same as Rajapaksas'

'Ranil's views are same as Rajapaksas'

Rediff.com21 Jul 2022

'While parliament has elected him, the people are demanding that he goes home.'

Gotabaya Rajapaksa wins Lankan presidential poll

Gotabaya Rajapaksa wins Lankan presidential poll

Rediff.com17 Nov 2019

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Rajapaksa and said he looks forward to further deepen relations between the two nations.

Mahinda Rajapaksa becomes Lanka's new PM

Mahinda Rajapaksa becomes Lanka's new PM

Rediff.com21 Nov 2019

The 74-year-old leader, who describe himself as "a rebel with a cause", earlier served as the country's president from 2005-2015, becoming South Asia's longest-serving leader. He was also prime minister for a brief period in 2018.

Rajapaksa & Bros are back with a bang!

Rajapaksa & Bros are back with a bang!

Rediff.com7 Aug 2020

President Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Rajapaksa will transform Sri Lanka's political landscape after Thursday's electoral triumph, predicts N Sathiya Moorthy, veteran Colombo watcher.

Who Will Win Sri Lanka's Presidential Poll?

Who Will Win Sri Lanka's Presidential Poll?

Rediff.com20 Sep 2024

'The Indian government is better prepared this time and has reached out to all contenders and not putting all eggs in one basket.'

'Cancelling Adani Project Not Good Sign'

'Cancelling Adani Project Not Good Sign'

Rediff.com30 Sep 2024

'If there is a push towards a Marxist oriented government it will be dangerous.' 'We have seen this in Nepal and Myanmar and it will be a concern for India if it is surrounded by countries with such political dispensations.'

Rajapaksas return, a blow to India's prestige

Rajapaksas return, a blow to India's prestige

Rediff.com18 Nov 2019

'Rajapaksa's victory poses a serious foreign policy challenge for the Modi government,' notes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

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.

'China Will Be India's Main Concern In Sri Lanka'

'China Will Be India's Main Concern In Sri Lanka'

Rediff.com30 Sep 2024

'Will President Dissanayake calibrate his foreign policy taking into account India's immediate security concerns? We need to watch.'

Protestors set up blocks on way to airport to prevent Rajapaksa loyalists fleeing

Protestors set up blocks on way to airport to prevent Rajapaksa loyalists fleeing

Rediff.com10 May 2022

Anti-government protesters in Sri Lanka on Tuesday set up a checkpoint on the road leading to the Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo to prevent the Rajapaksa family loyalists from fleeing the country, as violence and widespread protest continued against the regime over the country's worst economic crisis in decades.

Anura Kumar Dissanayake sworn in as Sri Lankan president

Anura Kumar Dissanayake sworn in as Sri Lankan president

Rediff.com23 Sep 2024

Anura Kumara Dissanayake was sworn in as Sri Lanka's ninth president on Monday, amid hopes that he will bolster the country's economy and eliminate corruption.

Rajapaksa heading for landslide win in Lanka polls

Rajapaksa heading for landslide win in Lanka polls

Rediff.com6 Aug 2020

Unofficial results indicate that the SLPP would comfortably win at least 17 out of the 22 districts on offer.

Can India trust Gota and the Rajapaksas?

Can India trust Gota and the Rajapaksas?

Rediff.com5 Dec 2019

New Delhi is approaching Gota with an open mind, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

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.

Why is Modi pushing Rajapaksa on the Tamils?

Why is Modi pushing Rajapaksa on the Tamils?

Rediff.com2 Oct 2020

Mahinda Rajapaksa is a democratically elected leader who received a massive mandate of 71% of votes, and he owes nothing to Delhi or Washington for staging his political comeback, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Lankan parliament votes against PM Rajapaksa

Lankan parliament votes against PM Rajapaksa

Rediff.com14 Nov 2018

The parliament has approved a no-trust vote against Prime Minister Rajapaksa, speaker of parliament Karu Jayasuriya announced in the House.

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.

Mahinda Rajapaksa resigns as Sri Lanka's PM

Mahinda Rajapaksa resigns as Sri Lanka's PM

Rediff.com15 Dec 2018

Rajapaksa informed the lawmakers of United People's Freedom Alliance that he has resigned from the post.

How Rajapaksa played his cards

How Rajapaksa played his cards

Rediff.com10 Nov 2018

Mahinda Rajapaksa recovered from his 2015 electoral losses, went to the people and campaigned about the injustice done to him. Without attempting to be subtle, he underscored his image of the Sinhala Buddhist warrior a la Dutugemunu, the king of Sri Lanka (164 BC to 140 BC) who led the military campaign against the invading warlord Elara.

Australia get cover for Starc, Sri Lanka recall Rajapaksa

Australia get cover for Starc, Sri Lanka recall Rajapaksa

Rediff.com10 Jun 2022

Sri Lanka fined 40 percent of match fee for slow-over rate in second T20 against Australia

Take forward Tamil reconciliation process: Modi to Rajapaksa

Take forward Tamil reconciliation process: Modi to Rajapaksa

Rediff.com8 Feb 2020

Rajapaksa's five-day visit to India assumes significance as his tenure as Sri Lanka's president from 2005 to 2016 saw expansion of China's footprints in the Indian Ocean island nation, triggering concerns in India.

Rajapaksa registers landslide victory in Sri Lanka polls

Rajapaksa registers landslide victory in Sri Lanka polls

Rediff.com7 Aug 2020

The SLPP, led by prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, has won in 145 constituencies, bagging a total of 150 seats with its allies, a two-thirds majority in the 225-member Parliament, according to the results announced by the election commission.

T20 World Cup: Theekshana, Rajapaksa ease past Namibia

T20 World Cup: Theekshana, Rajapaksa ease past Namibia

Rediff.com18 Oct 2021

Former champions Sri Lanka overcame initial hiccups to subdue an inexperienced yet spirited Namibia by seven wickets, beginning their quest to make the Super 12 stage of the T20 World Cup in right earnest, here on Monday.

Foreign power didn't want me to quit: SL ex-president hints at India's role

Foreign power didn't want me to quit: SL ex-president hints at India's role

Rediff.com7 Mar 2024

Gotabaya Rajapaksa, ousted as the president of Sri Lanka in a popular public uprising in 2022, on Thursday hinted that India was keen on his continuation despite the growing public discontent against him at the behest of certain Western powers.

India turns on the charm but will Rajapaksas reciprocate?

India turns on the charm but will Rajapaksas reciprocate?

Rediff.com29 Nov 2019

In the endlessly entertaining and absorbing soap opera that is India-Sri Lanka relations, wait for the next episode, Aditi Phadnis reports.

Lankan Prez sacks Wickremesinghe, swears in Rajapaksa as PM

Lankan Prez sacks Wickremesinghe, swears in Rajapaksa as PM

Rediff.com27 Oct 2018

Political analysts said Sirisena's move to install Rajapaksa as the prime minister could lead to a constitutional crisis as the 19th amendment to the Constitution would not allow the sacking of Wickremesinghe as the premier without a majority.

Disputed Lanka PM Mahinda Rajapaksa to resign on Saturday

Disputed Lanka PM Mahinda Rajapaksa to resign on Saturday

Rediff.com14 Dec 2018

Rajapaksa was appointed as the premier on October 26 by President Maithripala Sirisena after sacking Ranil Wickremesinghe, plunging the nation into a constitutional crisis.

Will Mahinda Rajapaksa be defeated?

Will Mahinda Rajapaksa be defeated?

Rediff.com2 Jan 2015

As the island heads for elections, two major factors worry Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa. One is the division in the Sinhala vote and the other is the prospect of the Tamils and Muslims voting heavily against him.

Sri Lankan court bars Rajapaksa from acting as PM

Sri Lankan court bars Rajapaksa from acting as PM

Rediff.com3 Dec 2018

Lanka is witnessing a political crisis since October 26 when President Sirisena sacked Wickeremesinghe and replaced him with Rajapaksa.

Modi showcases Buddha outreach with Rajapaksa scion in attendance

Modi showcases Buddha outreach with Rajapaksa scion in attendance

Rediff.com20 Oct 2021

Describing Lord Buddha as the inspiration for India's Constitution even today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said Buddha resides in the soul of humanity and connects different cultures and countries.

Mahinda Rajapaksa concedes Lanka election defeat

Mahinda Rajapaksa concedes Lanka election defeat

Rediff.com18 Aug 2015

Sri Lanka's former president Mahinda Rajapaksa on Tuesday accepted defeat in the parliamentary elections even before the announcement of the final results.