Politics

Rajapakse wins again, but battle for unity remains

April 11, 2010 (AFP) - It seems Sri Lanka's president, Mahinda Rajapakse, just can't stop winning. His ruling party's landslide triumph in parliamentary …

Sri Lanka ex-military chief, TV star, cricketers as lawmakers

Apr 10, 2010 (LBO) - Sri Lanka's president Mahinda Rajapaksa's brother Basil pulled in 425,861 'preferences' from voters becoming a top draw in a parliamentary …

Australian freeze on asylum seekers may face challenge

SYDNEY, April 10, 2010 (AFP) - Australia's decision to temporarily block asylum-seekers from Afghanistan and Sri Lanka could face a legal challenge, lawyers …

Sri Lankan ruling party celebrates election landslide

April 10, 2010 (AFP) - Sri Lanka's ruling party on Saturday celebrated its landslide victory in the country's first peacetime parliamentary polls since …

Sri Lanka cricket stars Jayasuriya, Ranatunga enter parliament

April 9, 2010 (AFP) - Veteran cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya and Sri Lanka's 1996 World Cup winning skipper Arjuna Ranatunga have won seats in parliament, a local …

Sri Lanka president says victory is vote for him

April 9, 2010 (AFP) - Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse said Friday his party's resounding parliamentary victory was a vote of confidence in his socialist …

Sri Lanka ruling party leading in parliament vote

April 9, 2010 (AFP) - Sri Lanka's ruling party is running well ahead of the fractured opposition, early results showed Friday, in a vote marked by record low …

Sri Lanka ruling party claims election victory

April 9, 2010 (AFP) - Sri Lanka's ruling party claimed victory Friday in parliamentary polls, as counting showed them well ahead after a ballot marked by …

Sri Lanka ruling party sweeps polls

April 09, 2010 (LBO) - Sri Lanka's ruling party claimed victory Friday as results showed a sweeping victory though re-polling in two districts over poll …

UNHCR reviewing rules on Afghan and Sri Lankan refugees

GENEVA, April 9, 2010 (AFP) - The UN refugee agency revealed on Friday that it is reviewing the handling of Afghan and Sri Lankan refugees after Australia …

Sri Lanka votes in poll set to cement president’s hold

April 8, 2010 (AFP) - Sri Lankans were voting Thursday in a parliamentary poll that is widely expected to see President Mahinda Rajapakse's ruling party march …

Sri Lanka vote marred by violence, intimidation: monitors

April 8, 2010 (AFP) - A shooting incident and reports of intimidation -- mostly by ruling party supporters -- marred Thursday's parliamentary elections in Sri …

Indonesia moves to ‘solve’ migrant stand-off

MERAK, April 7, 2010 (AFP) - Indonesia moved Wednesday to end a six-month stand-off with scores of Sri Lankan migrants who have refused to leave a rickety boat …

Sri Lankan president eyes new political dynasty

April 7, 2010 (AFP) - South Asia is no stranger to political dynasties, and Thursday's parliamentary polls in Sri Lanka could mark President Mahinda …

Sri Lanka elections not free and fair: opposition

April 7, 2010 (AFP) - On the eve of Sri Lanka's parliamentary elections, the main opposition accused the ruling party Wednesday of campaign abuses and said it …

Sri Lanka war-zone doctor stands for parliament

April 6, 2010 (AFP) - A doctor who drew world attention to civilian deaths during the Sri Lankan army's defeat of Tamil Tiger rebels last year is to contest …

Sri Lanka president seen strengthened by election

April 5, 2010 (AFP) - Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse, accused by critics of stifling dissent and persecuting the opposition, looks set to consolidate …

Sri Lanka military on alert ahead of vote: police

April 4, 2010 (AFP) - Sri Lanka placed nearly 20,000 troops on alert to reinforce police as violence escalated ahead of parliamentary elections, a police …

Detained Sri Lanka writer probed for radical links: police

April 3, 2010 (AFP) - A Sri Lankan woman taken into custody last month for writing books about her conversion to Islam from Buddhism is being investigated for …

Sri Lanka detained writer probed for radical links: police

April 3, 2010 (AFP) - A Sri Lankan woman taken into custody last month for writing books about her conversion to Islam for Buddhism is being investigated for …