Category: Politics
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 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 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 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 […]
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 refugees can stay for three months, Indonesia says
JAKARTA, November 15, 2009 (AFP) – A group of 22 Sri Lankan asylum seekers who left an Australian customs ship to come ashore in Indonesia will be allowed to stay for up to three months, an official said Sunday. The standoff has caused a political headache for Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who has been […]
Sri Lanka fetes Myanmar junta leader on rare foreign trip
KANDY, November 13, 2009 (AFP) – Dozens of dancers, drummers and three elephants greeted Myanmar’s reclusive junta leader as the elderly general began a pilgrimage in Sri Lanka Friday on a rare foreign outing. Schoolchildren cheered and waved paper flags of both countries and passers-by took pictures as the visiting leader’s motorcade slowly drove through […]
Sri Lanka president asks military chief to leave immediately
November 13, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s president has asked his military chief to step down immediately, rejecting his request to serve for another two weeks, an official said Friday.President Mahinda Rajapakse accepted General Sarath Fonseka’s resignation, tendered on Thursday, and wanted him to leave immediately, a government official said. “The president asked him to […]