News for 'unp'

Top B'desh, SL, Nepal leaders to attend Modi's swearing-in ceremony

Top B'desh, SL, Nepal leaders to attend Modi's swearing-in ceremony

Rediff.com7 Jun 2024

Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Jugnauth are set to be invited to Modi's swearing-in ceremony.

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.

Lankan Opposition submits no-trust motions against President, Govt

Lankan Opposition submits no-trust motions against President, Govt

Rediff.com3 May 2022

Sri Lanka's main Opposition party Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) on Tuesday handed over to the parliamentary Speaker motions of no-confidence against the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) coalition government and embattled President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, even as the government announced the appointment of a cabinet sub-committee to look into the proposal for a new Constitution.

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.

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.

Emergency in Sri Lanka ahead of new President's election

Emergency in Sri Lanka ahead of new President's election

Rediff.com18 Jul 2022

Sri Lanka's Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday imposed emergency giving him sweeping powers ahead of the key election on July 20 to pick a new President as he urged the political parties to put aside differences and form an all-party government, with the Opposition dubbing his decision as an 'undemocratic draconian act'.

Ranil Wickremesinghe reinstated as Sri Lanka PM

Ranil Wickremesinghe reinstated as Sri Lanka PM

Rediff.com16 Dec 2018

India welcomed resolution of the political crisis in Sri Lanka and exuded confidence that relations between the two countries will continue to move on in an upward trajectory.

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.

Ranil Wickremesinghe to return as Sri Lankan PM

Ranil Wickremesinghe to return as Sri Lankan PM

Rediff.com18 Aug 2015

Incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe is set to take oath as Sri Lanka's new prime minister of a unity government on Tuesday after his United National Party appeared close to a simple majority, with rival Mahinda Rajapaksa admitting defeat in the closely contested parliamentary polls.

After Mahinda's exit, Gotabaya talks to dissidents to end impasse

After Mahinda's exit, Gotabaya talks to dissidents to end impasse

Rediff.com11 May 2022

After nearly two days of political deadlock, the stakeholders are engaged in prolonged talks to try and appoint a successor to Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Ranil Wickremesinghe sworn in as Lanka's new president

Ranil Wickremesinghe sworn in as Lanka's new president

Rediff.com21 Jul 2022

Wickremesinghe is the first Sri Lankan president to be elected by Parliament following a vote.

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.

Lankan Prez names brother Mahinda as PM

Lankan Prez names brother Mahinda as PM

Rediff.com20 Nov 2019

The two brothers led a decisive campaign that helped end the island nation's three decade long civil war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

Rajapaksa assumes charge as new Lankan PM amid 'bloodbath' warnings by speaker

Rajapaksa assumes charge as new Lankan PM amid 'bloodbath' warnings by speaker

Rediff.com29 Oct 2018

President Maithripala Sirisena's new Cabinet was also sworn in and Rajapaksa was named the new minister of finance and economic affairs.

Sirisena suspends parliament till Nov 16 as political crisis deepens in Lanka

Sirisena suspends parliament till Nov 16 as political crisis deepens in Lanka

Rediff.com27 Oct 2018

Sirisena's sacking of Wickremesinghe was the culmination of an year of bitter relations between them on several policy matters. The president has been critical of the prime minister and his policies, especially on economy and security.

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.

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.

Time For India to Lend Sri Lanka A Helping Hand

Time For India to Lend Sri Lanka A Helping Hand

Rediff.com15 Apr 2022

New Delhi has a chance to rid itself of its image as the bully in the subcontinent by helping a neighbour tackle problems that India, for once, has no role in creating. It should grab the opportunity with both hands, suggests Aditi Phadnis.

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.

Tamil bloc may hold the key in Lanka's power struggle

Tamil bloc may hold the key in Lanka's power struggle

Rediff.com1 Nov 2018

In a Sri Lankan House of 225 members, the cut-off figure comes to 113. With Wickremesinghe side touching 102 and Rajapaksa's team at 101, the three-party Tamil National Alliance with 16 members and the left-leaning Sinhala-Buddhist nationalist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna with 6 members hold the key. But with the latter declaring that they will not support either formation in a vote count,that leaves the TNA as the deciding factor, says N Sathiya Moorthy.

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.

'India has to ensure Sri Lanka doesn't become bankrupt'

'India has to ensure Sri Lanka doesn't become bankrupt'

Rediff.com16 May 2022

'India has given assistance that we required, otherwise we would not have been able to survive this far.'

'Cook can finish with 15,000 runs and 50 centuries'

'Cook can finish with 15,000 runs and 50 centuries'

Rediff.com6 Dec 2012

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar feels that England captain Alastair Cook has the ability to score 15,000 Test runs and 50 Test centuries before he hangs his boots.

Army chief issues show cause notice to Lt Gen

Army chief issues show cause notice to Lt Gen

Rediff.com23 May 2012

A day before retirement, Army Chief Gen V K Singh has issued show cause notice to a Lt Gen, who could head the force in two years, for censure on account of lapses on his part in handling a case of a failed intelligence operation in Assam's Jorhat district last year.

Lokpal bill must be passed in monsoon session: BJP

Lokpal bill must be passed in monsoon session: BJP

Rediff.com9 Apr 2011

Dubbing the United Progressive Alliance at the Centre as "the most corrupt government ever seen by independent India", senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader L K Advani on Saturday wanted the Lokpal bill to be passed in the next session of Parliament itself.

TV Stars' WORST Holi Memories

TV Stars' WORST Holi Memories

Rediff.com7 Mar 2012

Holi is a fun festival. But just that once in a while, things go wrong. These actors share their experiences.

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.

Sri Lankan Prez Sirisena lifts suspension of parliament

Sri Lankan Prez Sirisena lifts suspension of parliament

Rediff.com1 Nov 2018

The president has agreed to call a parliamentary session on November 5, officials at Rajapaksa's office said.

India's knee jerk reactions in Lanka

India's knee jerk reactions in Lanka

Rediff.com24 Oct 2008

When he wants the attention of New Delhi, the Sri Lankan president or his administration dials Beijing and Islamabad and vice versa. So petrified is New Delhi at the prospect of Beijing or Islamabad consolidating its grip on the island nation that in the last two years India has given in to every whim and fancy of the Rajapaksa government.

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.

NASA spacecraft enters Saturn orbit

NASA spacecraft enters Saturn orbit

Rediff.com1 Jul 2004

Cassini has become the first to orbit Saturn, the second-largest planet in the solar system.

Lankan Prez dissolves parliament amidst political crisis

Lankan Prez dissolves parliament amidst political crisis

Rediff.com10 Nov 2018

Sirisena dissolved Parliament hours after a close aide of the President said that there will be no snap elections or a national referendum to end the current crises.

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.

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.

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.

Oppn party laments PM's absence at CHOGM: 'This is a big loss'

Oppn party laments PM's absence at CHOGM: 'This is a big loss'

Rediff.com11 Nov 2013

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's decision not to attend the Commonwealth Summit in Colombo was a loss for Sri Lanka as his absence reflected a breakdown of ties between the two countries, the main opposition said on Monday.

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.

Gotabaya: Controversial 'war hero' who finished LTTE

Gotabaya: Controversial 'war hero' who finished LTTE

Rediff.com17 Nov 2019

Though dubbed as the 'war hero', the role of Rajapaksa in ending the conflict with the LTTE with the death of its supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran in 2009 is quite divisive as he stands accused of violating human rights, a charge he vehemently denies.