Politics

Sri Lanka gets new tourism minister

Nov 27, 2009 (LBO) - Achala Jagoda, a parliamentarian representing the National Freedom Front, an ally of the ruling coalition has been appointed the island's …

Sri Lanka to hold presidential poll Jan 26: election office

November 27, 2009 (AFP) - Sri Lanka's electoral office said Friday that presidential elections would be held on January 26, with President Mahinda Rajapakse …

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 …

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 …

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. …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Sri Lanka’s ex-military says will ‘restore’ 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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Large crowds greet Myanmar leader in Sri Lankan city

ANURADHAPURA, November 14, 2009 (AFP) - Large flag-waving crowds greeted Myanmar's junta leader General Than Shwe on Saturday as he toured an ancient city in …

Sri Lanka’s top general quits ahead of vote

November 12, 2009 (AFP) - Sri Lanka's top general Sarath Fonseka, a war hero at home credited with crushing Tamil rebels, quit Thursday, heightening …

Coup fears led to crisis: Sri Lanka’s top general

November 13, 2009 (AFP) - Sri Lanka's government sidelined top general Sarath Fonseka because of fears he would launch a coup, he wrote in a bitter resignation …

Myanmar junta leader suffers stomach bug in Sri Lanka: doctor

KANDY, November 13, 2009 (AFP) - Myanmar junta leader General Than Shwe was treated for a mild stomach bug hours after his arrival in Sri Lanka, a doctor from …

22 refugees leave Australian ship: Indonesia police

TANJUNG PINANG, November 13, 2009 (AFP) - A group of 22 Sri Lankan asylum seekers left an Australian customs ship to come ashore in Indonesia Friday, police …

Indonesia says ‘no problem’ for Australian ship to stay

JAKARTA, November 11, 2009 (AFP) - Indonesia has "no problems" with extending permission for an Australian customs ship loaded with 78 Sri Lankan asylum …