• Pompeo highlights accountability and security sector reform in statement on Rajapaksa

    Nov 18

    US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo highlighted Sri Lanka’s commitments to “security sector reform, accountability, respect for human rights, and non-recurrence of violence” in a statement marking Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s assumption as president of Sri Lanka.

    “The United States congratulates the people of Sri Lanka on their democratic election and stands ready to work with Gotabaya Rajapaksa as the new President of Sri Lanka,” said Pompeo in a statement today.

  • Vavuniya remembers massacred students killed under Rajapaksa’s tenure

    The Vavuniya Agricultural College held a remembrance ceremony to remember a group of Tamil students who were killed by the Sri Lankan army in 2006, when current president Gotabaya Rajapaksa served as Sri Lanka’s secretary of defence.

  • Tamils attacked in Kegalle as Rajapaksa is sworn in

    A group of unidentified Sinhalese men attacked Tamils in Kegalle earlier today, as violence broke out in the aftermath of Sri Lanka’s presidential election this weekend.

  • ‘Blood of Tamils is yet to dry in Gotabaya’s hands’ – Tamil Nadu reacts to Rajapaksa’s victory

    Political parties in Tamil Nadu have reacted to Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s victory in the Sri Lankan presidential elections, with many commenting on their fears for the future of the Eelam Tamil people.

  • Gotabaya vows Buddhist rule as he takes up Sri Lankan presidency

    Updated 1600 GMT

  • A dreaded return

    In the wake of Sri Lanka’s presidential elections this weekend, fear has gripped the North-East. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the man who engineered the massacres of tens of thousands of Tamils a decade ago, is back in power. This time, he occupies the highest office in the land. The result, though unsurprising, is terrifying.

  • Round-up: global media reacts to election of Gotabaya Rajapaksa

    The Sri Lankan presidential elections were watched closely by journalists and human rights observers around the world, with much being written and broadcast during the campaign period, and much more expected in the aftermath of the result.

  • PM to make decision on Sri Lankan parliamentary elections
    <p>Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe,&nbsp;said that he will make a decision on&nbsp;parliamentary elections after having&nbsp;discussions with the Speaker, Karu&nbsp;Jayasuriya, party leaders and other Parliamentarians.&nbsp;</p> <p>In his statement, the PM congratulated Gotabaya Rajapaksa on his presidential election victory.</p> <p>Meanwhile, a&nbsp;number of ministers have resigned today following Sajith Premadasa's defeat.</p>
  • Sri Lankan government ministers resign following Sajith’s defeat
    <p>Sri Lankan government ministers have resigned from their posts following Sajith Premadasa's defeat in the presidential election.&nbsp;</p> <p>Minister of Defense and Minister of Mass Media, Ruwan Wijewardene and Minister of Development Strategy, Malik&nbsp;Samarawickrema,&nbsp;are&nbsp;the latest to resign from their ministerial roles.&nbsp;</p>
  • UK joins others in congratulating Gotabaya
    <p>The UK is the latest country to congratulate Gotabaya Rajapaksa on his presidential election victory.&nbsp;</p> <p>British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Sarah Hulton OBE, congratulated Gotabaya on his election and "the people of Sri Lanka on a more peaceful election period than ever."</p>
  • Maldives congratulate Gotabaya on ‘resounding election victory’
    <p>Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, President of Maldives, congratulated Gotabaya Rajapaksa on his ‘resounding election victory’ on Twitter.&nbsp;</p> <p>He tweeted:&nbsp;</p> <blockquote><p> "Warm congratulations to President-elect @GotabayaR for a resounding election victory in Sri Lanka. I look forward to working with your new administration to further the already close and fraternal ties between Maldives and Sri Lanka." </p></blockquote>
  • US pledges support of strong sovereign Sri Lanka
    <p>The United States congratulated the people of Sri Lanka on their democratic election and pledges support of strong,&nbsp;sovereign Sri Lanka.&nbsp;</p> <blockquote><p> “We look forward to working with President-elect Gotabaya Rajapaksa on issues of good governance, economic growth, the advancement of human rights and reconciliation in support of a strong, sovereign Sri Lanka,” Alaina Teplitz, US Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Maldives tweeted today.
  • Rajapaksa supporters celebrate amidst fears in the North-East

    A handful of Rajapaksa supporters celebrated in districts in the North-East today as many Tamils avoided public places following the announcement of Gotabaya Rajapaksa as the winner of Sri Lanka's presidential election.

  • Hate speech flourishes online as Gotabaya victory declared

    With Gotabaya Rajapaksa being announced as Sri Lanka’s new president there has been a surge in Sinhala Buddhist nationalist hate speech online.

  • Government of Pakistan congratulates Gotabaya
    <p>The government of Pakistan congratulated Gotabaya Rajapaksa on his victory in the Sri Lankan presidential elections.&nbsp;</p> <p>In a press statement, released by Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan’s government stated they “look forward to working with the new President and his team to further strengthen the already strong relationship between the two countries.</p>
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