Sri Lanka Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa is on a 4-day visit to India, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rajapaksa arrived in New Delhi on Friday (February 7).

Mahinda Rajapaksa India visit: Defence & development on the agenda

Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/thousands-missing-in-ethnic-civil-war-are-dead-sri-lankan-president-rajapaksa-275604">Mahinda Rajapaksa</a> will be on a state <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sri-lankan-president-ajit-doval-discuss-cooperation-on-intelligence-sharing-maritime-security-275297">visit to India</a> from February 8 to 11, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Thursday.

"Sri Lankan Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-gotabaya-rajapaksas-big-admission-of-sri-lankan-civil-war-275826">Mahinda Rajapaksa</a> will be on a state visit to India from February 8 to 11. He will arrive on February 7. February 8 will be main engagement day where he will hold delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said while addressing a press conference here.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-imposes-visa-restriction-on-chinese-tourists-amid-coronavirus-outbreak-277052">Sri Lanka imposes visa restriction on Chinese tourists amid coronavirus outbreak</a>

He informed that after his official engagement in Delhi, the Sri Lankan Prime Minister will travel to Varanasi, Sarnath, Bodhgaya, and Tirupati.

The MEA spokesperson pointed out that there has been a series of high-level visits between the two countries with Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksha choosing India as the first destination to visit after he assumed his position as the president immediately after his election victory.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa will be on a state visit to India from February 8 to 11, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Thursday. "Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa will be on a state visit to India from February 8 to 11.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa will be on a state visit to India from February 8 to 11, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Thursday. "Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa will be on a state visit to India from February 8 to 11. He will arrive on February 7. February 8 will be main engagement day where he will hold delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said while addressing a press conference here. Also Read: Sri Lanka imposes visa restriction on Chinese tourists amid coronavirus outbreak He informed that after his official engagement in Delhi, the Sri Lankan Prime Minister will travel to Varanasi, Sarnath, Bodhgaya, and Tirupati. The MEA spokesperson pointed out that there has been a series of high-level visits between the two countries with Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksha choosing India as the first destination to visit after he assumed his position as the president immediately after his election victory.

Latest South Asia News - Ministry of External Affairs announces Sri Lanka PM Mahinda Rajapaksa's visit to India from February 8 to 11

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa recently claimed that 20,000 people who had gone missing during the country's civil war are presumably dead. Rajapaksa made the remark in a meeting with a United Nations envoy in Colombo.

His office said that death certificates would be issued for the missing.

This came after more than hundreds of families of the missing have been attending rallies demanding the whereabouts of their lost loved ones.

Some posited the idea that their relatives were still alive but captured by the security forces, a claim the government has repeatedly denied. The family members of the deceased hold daily vigils to protest.

<h6><img alt="Rajapaksa" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="cab0f486-feb0-4ff2-9da0-9462bb3fe52d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/116889-untitled-design-25.jpg" /> 
Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa | Reuters 
&nbsp;</h6>

The war 
The Sri Lankan army and the Tamil Tiger rebels had been warring for 26 years until the inferno was extinguished in May 2009.

The war had made ethnic faultlines in the country visible, for the majority Buddhist Sinhalese wanted to fight the Tamil rebels demanding a separate state. According to the BBC, the war had taken the lives of 100,000 people and left more than 20,000 missing.

Majority of the missing people are Tamil.

At the time of the war, Rajapaksa was Sri Lanka's Defence Secretary and helped crush the rebel movement.&nbsp;

In the final stages of the war, the United Nations had thrown accusations of atrocities towards both sides.

The BBC reported that multiple accounts of Tamil forces being killed even after surrendering were spurring out. Even with mounting video evidence, the government denied partaking in any such activities.

Watch:&nbsp;Why are critics of the Rajapaksas living in fear

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-why-are-critics-of-the-rajapaksas-living-in-fear-265803/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

If seen as an opponent to Rajapaksa and his brother Mahinda, businessmen, journalists and activists were taken into custody during the war and never seen again.

However, the government continues to deny any role in the disappearance, with Rajapaksa telling the BBC that all war crime allegations against him were ''baseless''.

<h6><img alt="Rajapaksa brothers" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="14dcd2e8-fd9c-49e8-9929-8d144f8f8cb8" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/116497-untitled-design.jpg" /> 
Rajapaksa brothers&nbsp;| Reuters</h6>

''Internal matter''? 
According to the government statement given to UN resident co-ordinator Hanaa Singer, all the missing were members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

"President Rajapaksa outlined his plans to address the issue of missing persons. He explained that these missing persons are actually dead," the statement said.

"The families of the missing attest to it. However, they do not know what has become of them and so claim them to be missing," he said.

Death certificates are utterly important in Sri Lanka, where families cannot access property deeds, inheritances, and bank accounts without it. 
Even though the UN and other organisations have demanded the Lanka government to initiate a crimes tribunal to shed light on human rights abuses in the country, no such action has borne fruits. Sri Lanka has constantly referred to the issue as a ''internal matter'' that should be handled domestically.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-firmly-committed-to-saarc-gotabaya-rajapaksa-267154">Sri Lanka firmly committed to SAARC: Gotabaya Rajapaksa</a>

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa recently claimed that 20,000 people who had gone missing during the country's civil war are presumably dead. Rajapaksa made the remark in a meeting with a United Nations envoy in Colombo.

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa recently claimed that 20,000 people who had gone missing during the country's civil war are presumably dead. Rajapaksa made the remark in a meeting with a United Nations envoy in Colombo. His office said that death certificates would be issued for the missing. This came after more than hundreds of families of the missing have been attending rallies demanding the whereabouts of their lost loved ones. Some posited the idea that their relatives were still alive but captured by the security forces, a claim the government has repeatedly denied. The family members of the deceased hold daily vigils to protest. Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa | Reuters The war The Sri Lankan army and the Tamil Tiger rebels had been warring for 26 years until the inferno was extinguished in May 2009. The war had made ethnic faultlines in the country visible, for the majority Buddhist Sinhalese wanted to fight the Tamil rebels demanding a separate state. According to the BBC, the war had taken the lives of 100,000 people and left more than 20,000 missing. Majority of the missing people are Tamil. At the time of the war, Rajapaksa was Sri Lanka's Defence Secretary and helped crush the rebel movement. In the final stages of the war, the United Nations had thrown accusations of atrocities towards both sides. The BBC reported that multiple accounts of Tamil forces being killed even after surrendering were spurring out. Even with mounting video evidence, the government denied partaking in any such activities. Watch: Why are critics of the Rajapaksas living in fear If seen as an opponent to Rajapaksa and his brother Mahinda, businessmen, journalists and activists were taken into custody during the war and never seen again. However, the government continues to deny any role in the disappearance, with Rajapaksa telling the BBC that all war crime allegations against him were ''baseless''. Rajapaksa brothers | Reuters ''Internal matter''? According to the government statement given to UN resident co-ordinator Hanaa Singer, all the missing were members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). "President Rajapaksa outlined his plans to address the issue of missing persons. He explained that these missing persons are actually dead," the statement said. "The families of the missing attest to it. However, they do not know what has become of them and so claim them to be missing," he said. Death certificates are utterly important in Sri Lanka, where families cannot access property deeds, inheritances, and bank accounts without it. Even though the UN and other organisations have demanded the Lanka government to initiate a crimes tribunal to shed light on human rights abuses in the country, no such action has borne fruits. Sri Lanka has constantly referred to the issue as a ''internal matter'' that should be handled domestically. Also read: Sri Lanka firmly committed to SAARC: Gotabaya Rajapaksa

Thousands missing in ethnic civil war are dead: Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa

Sri Lanka crackdown: Parliament speaker lashes out at the Rajapaksas while former ministers seek anticipatory bail. #SriLanka #SriLankaCrackdown #Rajyapaksa

Gravitas: Authoritarianism vs Democracy in Sri Lanka

Former Sri Lankan minister and Member of Parliament Patali Champika Ranawaka has been arrested by Colombo crimes division. As per reports in local media, Ranawaka has been arrested in a road accident case that dates back to the year 2016.

Political witch-hunt in Sri Lanka, Patali Ranawaka arrested

Sri Lanka's new president suspended parliament for a month from Tuesday ahead of snap elections he wants to call in March to consolidate his sweeping victory.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sri-lanka-president-gotabaya-rajapaksa-arrives-in-india-265098">Gotabaya Rajapaksa</a>, elected president last month in a landslide, issued a proclamation overnight proroguing the legislature and said a new session will begin from January 3.

Rajapaksa, 70, is hoping to ride a wave of popularity by calling an election&nbsp;six months before the current parliament's five-year term expires in August.

He has already ordered major tax cuts in a bid to boost an economy still struggling after deadly Easter Sunday suicide bombings that crippled the country's booming tourism sector.

Watch: WION Edit - Can the Rajapaksas unite Sri Lanka?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-edit-can-the-rajapaksas-unite-sri-lanka-265806/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

A 15-per cent value-added tax was cut to eight per cent, while another two-per cent goods and services tax was abolished from this month.

The construction industry,&nbsp;which has slumped hard this year, also saw its corporate tax burden cut from 28 to 14 per cent.&nbsp;

The official announcement of calling a fresh session of the legislature will give the minority government of Rajapaksa more control over parliamentary oversight committees.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lankan-court-drops-charges-against-new-president-263910">Rajapaksa</a> is the younger brother of Mahinda Rajapaksa, president from 2005-15 when Gotabaya effectively ran the security forces.

Together they spearheaded the end of Sri Lanka's civil war with Tamil separatists in 2009 when an estimated 40,000 Tamil civilians were killed by the military.

Sri Lanka's new president suspended parliament for a month from Tuesday ahead of snap elections he wants to call in March to consolidate his sweeping victory. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, elected president last month in a landslide, issued a proclamation overnight proroguing the legislature and said a new session will begin from January 3.

Sri Lanka's new president suspended parliament for a month from Tuesday ahead of snap elections he wants to call in March to consolidate his sweeping victory. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, elected president last month in a landslide, issued a proclamation overnight proroguing the legislature and said a new session will begin from January 3. Rajapaksa, 70, is hoping to ride a wave of popularity by calling an election six months before the current parliament's five-year term expires in August. He has already ordered major tax cuts in a bid to boost an economy still struggling after deadly Easter Sunday suicide bombings that crippled the country's booming tourism sector. Watch: WION Edit - Can the Rajapaksas unite Sri Lanka? A 15-per cent value-added tax was cut to eight per cent, while another two-per cent goods and services tax was abolished from this month. The construction industry, which has slumped hard this year, also saw its corporate tax burden cut from 28 to 14 per cent. The official announcement of calling a fresh session of the legislature will give the minority government of Rajapaksa more control over parliamentary oversight committees. Rajapaksa is the younger brother of Mahinda Rajapaksa, president from 2005-15 when Gotabaya effectively ran the security forces. Together they spearheaded the end of Sri Lanka's civil war with Tamil separatists in 2009 when an estimated 40,000 Tamil civilians were killed by the military.

Sri Lanka: President Rajapaksa suspends parliament overnight ahead of snap elections

Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa met PM Modi at Hyderabad House today as the two leaders sought to further bilateral relations between the two countries.

Fineprint: Indian PM announces $450 mn line of credit to Sri Lanka

The stage is set for Sri Lanka's new <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/gotabaya-rajapaksa-sworn-in-as-sri-lankan-new-president-262851">President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's</a> India visit, which will the first foreign visit by him since taking charge earlier this month.

Gotabaya arrives in Delhi today evening and Friday will be the main day of engagement when he meets PM Modi at Hyderabad house.&nbsp;

This visit is keenly awaited&nbsp;given India's neighbourhood policy and New Delhi's outreach to newly elected governments in the region.

In fact, India's external affairs minister S Jaishankar made an unscheduled visit to the island country last week to physically hand over PM Modi's invite to Gotabaya to visit India. During the meet, India also called on the new leadership to continue the process of national reconciliation with&nbsp;regards to the minority Tamils.&nbsp;

Last week, the ministry of external affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, "EAM also expected and he conveyed to President Rajapaksa India’s expectation that the Sri Lankan government will take forward the process of national reconciliation to arrive at a solution that meets the aspirations of the Tamil community for equality, justice, peace and dignity."

Gotabaya&nbsp;as the defence secretary in 2009, played a key role in the defeat of LTTE militant group but that also raised issues of human right violations. And then China is the dragon in the room when it comes to Bejing's growing footprint in South Asia. New Delhi has dismissed such concerns.

"Our relationship with Sri Lanka or for that matter with any other country is not dependent on a third country, it stands independently. We enjoy a historical and very close relationship with Sri Lanka and we are looking forward and we will work very closely with the new Sri Lankan government", Raveesh Kumar said.

Earlier this year, Prime Minister Modi had made a solidarity visit to Sri Lanka after the Easter Sunday terror attacks in the country.

During the visit, PM Modi paid respects at one of the attack sites - St Anthony’s Church. PM Modi has visited Sri Lanka three&nbsp;times since 2014 -&nbsp;with the first visit being in 2015, followed by a visit in 2017 and then June 2019.

The Modi government has been increasing its engagement with Colombo and helping to meet its development needs. &nbsp;

Under the Indian Housing Project, more than 46,000 houses have been built in northern and eastern provinces at the cost of 1,372 crores. This is also one of the largest projects undertaken by the Indian government&nbsp;abroad.

The nationwise ambulance service has also got much applause. In terms of major infrastructure projects, India will be been supplying 160 passengers coached to Sri Lankan railways and building many solar projects.

The stage is set for Sri Lanka's new President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's India visit, which will the first foreign visit by him since taking charge earlier this month.

The stage is set for Sri Lanka's new President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's India visit, which will the first foreign visit by him since taking charge earlier this month. Gotabaya arrives in Delhi today evening and Friday will be the main day of engagement when he meets PM Modi at Hyderabad house. This visit is keenly awaited given India's neighbourhood policy and New Delhi's outreach to newly elected governments in the region. In fact, India's external affairs minister S Jaishankar made an unscheduled visit to the island country last week to physically hand over PM Modi's invite to Gotabaya to visit India. During the meet, India also called on the new leadership to continue the process of national reconciliation with regards to the minority Tamils. Last week, the ministry of external affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, "EAM also expected and he conveyed to President Rajapaksa India’s expectation that the Sri Lankan government will take forward the process of national reconciliation to arrive at a solution that meets the aspirations of the Tamil community for equality, justice, peace and dignity." Gotabaya as the defence secretary in 2009, played a key role in the defeat of LTTE militant group but that also raised issues of human right violations. And then China is the dragon in the room when it comes to Bejing's growing footprint in South Asia. New Delhi has dismissed such concerns. "Our relationship with Sri Lanka or for that matter with any other country is not dependent on a third country, it stands independently. We enjoy a historical and very close relationship with Sri Lanka and we are looking forward and we will work very closely with the new Sri Lankan government", Raveesh Kumar said. Earlier this year, Prime Minister Modi had made a solidarity visit to Sri Lanka after the Easter Sunday terror attacks in the country. During the visit, PM Modi paid respects at one of the attack sites - St Anthony’s Church. PM Modi has visited Sri Lanka three times since 2014 - with the first visit being in 2015, followed by a visit in 2017 and then June 2019. The Modi government has been increasing its engagement with Colombo and helping to meet its development needs. Under the Indian Housing Project, more than 46,000 houses have been built in northern and eastern provinces at the cost of 1,372 crores. This is also one of the largest projects undertaken by the Indian government abroad. The nationwise ambulance service has also got much applause. In terms of major infrastructure projects, India will be been supplying 160 passengers coached to Sri Lankan railways and building many solar projects.

Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to visit India today

The newly elected President of Sri Lanka Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Thursday arrived in India on his maiden foreign trip after becoming the island nation's president earlier this month. Rajapaksa is on a three-day visit during which he will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to deepen strategic bilateral ties.

WION Dispatch: Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa arrives in India

By Andreas Johansson

Gotabaya Rajapaksa was elected as Sri Lanka’s new president in elections on November 16 after winning 52 per cent of the votes for the Sri Lanka People’s Front party – 10 per cent more than his closet rival. This election was the first since the Easter bombing attacks that shocked the country in April 2019.

Known as Gota, Rajapaksa is a former defence minister and brother of Sri Lanka’s two-time president Mahinda Rajapaksa. After his successful presidential campaign, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who also is a US citizen, was congratulated by world leaders and promised to serve Sri Lanka’s people of all religions.

Throughout his campaign, Rajapaksa stressed that national unity is a priority and claimed he was running the first-ever carbon sensitive electoral campaign in the world. He also promised to deal with the country’s huge debt.

But Rajapaksa’s win has raised concerns among opposition and minorities in the country, who claim that it might increase ethnic tensions in Sri Lanka.

Divided history 
 
The first reason for these fears is linked to the end of the civil war, which lasted from 1982 to 2009. The war was between militant groups from the Tamil minority who wanted to create a separate Tamil nation and the Sri Lankan army. Gota was the minister of defence as the war drew to an end and he became a controversial figure when he and his brother were in charge of the brutal campaign that led to the end of the civil war in 2009.

In the last few months of the war, when the Sri Lankan army made its final offensive against Tamil militants in the northeast of the country, up to 40,000 people may have been killed, leaving Sri Lanka’s Tamil minority dealing with an immense trauma. The end of the war, May 18, is now called the remembrance day of the Tamil genocide.

Gotabaya has been accused of being a “war criminal” by international law experts because of the way the war ended and a United Nations report concluded there was credible evidence of war crimes committed by both the Tamil militants and the Sri Lankan government.

The former Rajapaksa regime might still face charges related to the end of the war, but there are now fears that the Rajapaksa family will not be held accountable for alleged human rights violations. Gotabaya was facing charges of torture in the US connected to his time as minister of defence, but the charges were dissmissed in mid-October because he had immunity under US law.

The opposition and minorities are also worried about press freedom now the Rajapaksa family has made a political comeback. Gotabaya and his brother were nicknamed the “predators of press freedom”: between 2004 and 2010, 44 journalists and media workers were killed in Sri Lanka – most of them Tamil speaking. Nevertheless, in an interview in late 2018 with the Swedish journalist, Johan Mikaelsson, Gotabaya denied that any Tamil journalists were killed during his time as minister of defence.

Muslim fears 
 
Sri Lanka’s Muslims, the country’s second-largest minority, are some of the most concerned about Gotabaya’s presidency. The Muslim population of Sri Lanka makes up 9.7 per cent&nbsp;of the nearly 22m inhabitants. Most of the Muslims in Sri Lanka are Sunni and speak Tamil as their mother tongue.

I have conducted research analysing Muslim politics in the country since 2006, and most of the politicians that I have talked with preferred other presidential candidates over Rajapaksa.

During his presidential campaign, Gotabaya promised to clamp down on Islamic extremism and said he would put national security above all else. This issue was particularly important in the election after the April 2019 terrorist attack in Sri Lanka on Christian churches and luxury hotels in which at least 259 people were killed and more than 500 injured. The attacks were carried out by Sri Lankan citizens, members of local groups National Thowheeth Jama'ath and Jammiyathul Millathu Ibrahim, who had sworn alliance to Islamic State.

Days after the attack, Gotabaya criticised the former president, Maithripala Sirisena, and the national security in the country, and promised that he was the right man for the job of keeping Sri Lankans safe.

After the Easter bombings, Muslims were attacked by angry mobs several times. There are now fears that Gotabaya’s hard line against Islamic extremism could spark more anti-Muslim sentiment.

In the years after the war, hardline Buddhist groups such as the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) targeted Muslims and Christians in different campaigns, some of theWhile the presidential elections were largely peaceful, there were some incidents of violence, including a gun attack on a bus full of Muslim voters.

Rajapaksa’s lack of support among minority groups could be seen in the breakdown of the election results. In the northeast of Sri Lanka, where most of the Tamil and Muslim minorities live, Rajapaksa’s main opponent Sajith Premadasa received most votes. Still, the Rajapaksa brothers remain popular in Sri Lanka’s Sinhalese majority areas.

The first sign of changes in parliament are already here, the prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, resigned and Gotabaya named his brother, Mahinda, to take over. In 2020, Sri Lanka will have parliamentary elections and there is a good chance that the Rajapaksa family will strengthen its power base. By then, it should have become a bit clearer what Gotabaya’s victory will mean for the country’s minorities.m violent. In the past, Gotabaya had publicly appeared at a BBS event, but more recently has denied links with the group. The agenda of these Buddhist groups is to protect what they consider the holy land of Buddhism, Sri Lanka, from foreign elements. In 2014, the ethnic tension lead to riots between Muslims and Buddhists, and four Muslims were killed in the south of the country.&nbsp;

(Andreas Johansson is Director of Swedish South Asian Studies Network (SASNET), Lund University)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the<a href="https://theconversation.com/sri-lanka-gotabaya-rajapaksas-election-victory-sparks-fear-among-minorities-127302"> original article</a>) 
&nbsp; 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) &nbsp; 
&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

By Andreas Johansson Gotabaya Rajapaksa was elected as Sri Lanka’s new president in elections on November 16 after winning 52 per cent of the votes for the Sri Lanka People’s Front party – 10 per cent more than his closet rival.

By Andreas Johansson Gotabaya Rajapaksa was elected as Sri Lanka’s new president in elections on November 16 after winning 52 per cent of the votes for the Sri Lanka People’s Front party – 10 per cent more than his closet rival. This election was the first since the Easter bombing attacks that shocked the country in April 2019. Known as Gota, Rajapaksa is a former defence minister and brother of Sri Lanka’s two-time president Mahinda Rajapaksa. After his successful presidential campaign, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who also is a US citizen, was congratulated by world leaders and promised to serve Sri Lanka’s people of all religions. Throughout his campaign, Rajapaksa stressed that national unity is a priority and claimed he was running the first-ever carbon sensitive electoral campaign in the world. He also promised to deal with the country’s huge debt. But Rajapaksa’s win has raised concerns among opposition and minorities in the country, who claim that it might increase ethnic tensions in Sri Lanka. Divided history The first reason for these fears is linked to the end of the civil war, which lasted from 1982 to 2009. The war was between militant groups from the Tamil minority who wanted to create a separate Tamil nation and the Sri Lankan army. Gota was the minister of defence as the war drew to an end and he became a controversial figure when he and his brother were in charge of the brutal campaign that led to the end of the civil war in 2009. In the last few months of the war, when the Sri Lankan army made its final offensive against Tamil militants in the northeast of the country, up to 40,000 people may have been killed, leaving Sri Lanka’s Tamil minority dealing with an immense trauma. The end of the war, May 18, is now called the remembrance day of the Tamil genocide. Gotabaya has been accused of being a “war criminal” by international law experts because of the way the war ended and a United Nations report concluded there was credible evidence of war crimes committed by both the Tamil militants and the Sri Lankan government. The former Rajapaksa regime might still face charges related to the end of the war, but there are now fears that the Rajapaksa family will not be held accountable for alleged human rights violations. Gotabaya was facing charges of torture in the US connected to his time as minister of defence, but the charges were dissmissed in mid-October because he had immunity under US law. The opposition and minorities are also worried about press freedom now the Rajapaksa family has made a political comeback. Gotabaya and his brother were nicknamed the “predators of press freedom”: between 2004 and 2010, 44 journalists and media workers were killed in Sri Lanka – most of them Tamil speaking. Nevertheless, in an interview in late 2018 with the Swedish journalist, Johan Mikaelsson, Gotabaya denied that any Tamil journalists were killed during his time as minister of defence. Muslim fears Sri Lanka’s Muslims, the country’s second-largest minority, are some of the most concerned about Gotabaya’s presidency. The Muslim population of Sri Lanka makes up 9.7 per cent of the nearly 22m inhabitants. Most of the Muslims in Sri Lanka are Sunni and speak Tamil as their mother tongue. I have conducted research analysing Muslim politics in the country since 2006, and most of the politicians that I have talked with preferred other presidential candidates over Rajapaksa. During his presidential campaign, Gotabaya promised to clamp down on Islamic extremism and said he would put national security above all else. This issue was particularly important in the election after the April 2019 terrorist attack in Sri Lanka on Christian churches and luxury hotels in which at least 259 people were killed and more than 500 injured. The attacks were carried out by Sri Lankan citizens, members of local groups National Thowheeth Jama'ath and Jammiyathul Millathu Ibrahim, who had sworn alliance to Islamic State. Days after the attack, Gotabaya criticised the former president, Maithripala Sirisena, and the national security in the country, and promised that he was the right man for the job of keeping Sri Lankans safe. After the Easter bombings, Muslims were attacked by angry mobs several times. There are now fears that Gotabaya’s hard line against Islamic extremism could spark more anti-Muslim sentiment. In the years after the war, hardline Buddhist groups such as the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) targeted Muslims and Christians in different campaigns, some of theWhile the presidential elections were largely peaceful, there were some incidents of violence, including a gun attack on a bus full of Muslim voters. Rajapaksa’s lack of support among minority groups could be seen in the breakdown of the election results. In the northeast of Sri Lanka, where most of the Tamil and Muslim minorities live, Rajapaksa’s main opponent Sajith Premadasa received most votes. Still, the Rajapaksa brothers remain popular in Sri Lanka’s Sinhalese majority areas. The first sign of changes in parliament are already here, the prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, resigned and Gotabaya named his brother, Mahinda, to take over. In 2020, Sri Lanka will have parliamentary elections and there is a good chance that the Rajapaksa family will strengthen its power base. By then, it should have become a bit clearer what Gotabaya’s victory will mean for the country’s minorities.m violent. In the past, Gotabaya had publicly appeared at a BBS event, but more recently has denied links with the group. The agenda of these Buddhist groups is to protect what they consider the holy land of Buddhism, Sri Lanka, from foreign elements. In 2014, the ethnic tension lead to riots between Muslims and Buddhists, and four Muslims were killed in the south of the country. (Andreas Johansson is Director of Swedish South Asian Studies Network (SASNET), Lund University) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Sri Lanka: Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s election victory sparks fear among minorities

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Sunday congratulated Gotabaya Rajapaksa on his "historic" victory in the presidential elections. 
 
"My heartiest congratulations to the President-elect @GotabayaR on his historic victory!," Sirisena said in a tweet.

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My heartiest congratulations to the President-elect <a href="https://twitter.com/GotabayaR?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GotabayaR</a> on his historic victory!
— Maithripala Sirisena (@MaithripalaS) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaithripalaS/status/1196006610419830785?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 17, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Sri Lanka-based Colombo Page reported that the country's Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe also congratulated the President-elect on his victory. 
 
The Prime Minister was quoted as saying in a statement that the Premier said they value democracy and a decision will be made on the next Parliamentary elections after discussing it with Speaker, party leaders and government Members of Parliament. 
 
Sri Lanka's Elections Chief Mahinda Deshapriya on Sunday afternoon confirmed that opposition candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa had won the presidential elections. 
 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was one of the first world leaders to congratulate Rajapaksa for his victory in the elections. 
 
"Congratulations @GotabayaR on your victory in the Presidential elections. I look forward to working closely with you for deepening the close and fraternal ties between our two countries and citizens, and for peace, prosperity as well as security in our region," Modi had tweeted. 
 
"I also congratulate the people of Sri Lanka for the successful conduct of the elections," he said. 
 
Rajapaksa, who has been credited for having crushed the Tamil Tigers 10 years ago, focused his campaign on his credentials as the defence secretary that brought a close to the bloody 26-year civil war, while also calling for an overhaul of economic policies implemented by Premadasa's UNP during its five-year charge of the parliament. 
 
To win, a candidate has to secure at least 50 per cent&nbsp;+ one vote in the first round of counting, the Elections Commission Chairman had said. 
 
Rajapaksa, a former defence secretary and brother of two-time former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, based his campaign on providing strong leadership on national security issues, following coordinated bombings in April that killed at least 269 people. 
 
He will be sworn in as the seventh President of Sri Lanka tomorrow morning, November 18, in Anuradhapura, his party sources confirmed to ColomboPage.

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Sunday congratulated Gotabaya Rajapaksa on his "historic" victory in the presidential elections. "My heartiest congratulations to the President-elect @GotabayaR on his historic victory!

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Sunday congratulated Gotabaya Rajapaksa on his "historic" victory in the presidential elections. "My heartiest congratulations to the President-elect @GotabayaR on his historic victory!," Sirisena said in a tweet. My heartiest congratulations to the President-elect @GotabayaR on his historic victory! — Maithripala Sirisena (@MaithripalaS) November 17, 2019 × Sri Lanka-based Colombo Page reported that the country's Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe also congratulated the President-elect on his victory. The Prime Minister was quoted as saying in a statement that the Premier said they value democracy and a decision will be made on the next Parliamentary elections after discussing it with Speaker, party leaders and government Members of Parliament. Sri Lanka's Elections Chief Mahinda Deshapriya on Sunday afternoon confirmed that opposition candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa had won the presidential elections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was one of the first world leaders to congratulate Rajapaksa for his victory in the elections. "Congratulations @GotabayaR on your victory in the Presidential elections. I look forward to working closely with you for deepening the close and fraternal ties between our two countries and citizens, and for peace, prosperity as well as security in our region," Modi had tweeted. "I also congratulate the people of Sri Lanka for the successful conduct of the elections," he said. Rajapaksa, who has been credited for having crushed the Tamil Tigers 10 years ago, focused his campaign on his credentials as the defence secretary that brought a close to the bloody 26-year civil war, while also calling for an overhaul of economic policies implemented by Premadasa's UNP during its five-year charge of the parliament. To win, a candidate has to secure at least 50 per cent + one vote in the first round of counting, the Elections Commission Chairman had said. Rajapaksa, a former defence secretary and brother of two-time former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, based his campaign on providing strong leadership on national security issues, following coordinated bombings in April that killed at least 269 people. He will be sworn in as the seventh President of Sri Lanka tomorrow morning, November 18, in Anuradhapura, his party sources confirmed to ColomboPage.

Sri Lanka: President Maithripala Sirisena congratulates Gotabaya Rajapaksa on 'historic' victory

Sri Lankans began voting on Saturday for a new president in what could mark a comeback for the Rajapaksa clan, lauded by supporters for crushing the Tamil Tigers but condemned by critics for war crimes, corruption and cosying up to China.

Sri Lanka polls to have major implications for India

During Sri Lanka presidential election, WION Speaks to Dr. Aruna Kulatunga, Political Analyst from Colombo for more clarity on this.

Sri Lanka presidential election: WION Speaks to Dr Aruna Kulatunga, political analyst from Colombo

Sri Lanka presidential election: WION Speaks to Zulfick Farzan, Journalist from Colombo for more clarity on this.

Sri Lanka presidential election: WION Speaks to Zulfick Farzan, Journalist from Colombo

Sri Lanka presidential election: WION Speaks to Nilathan Niruthan, Political Analyst from Colombo for more clarity on this.

Sri Lanka presidential election: WION Speaks to Nilathan Niruthan, Political Analyst from Colombo

16 million voters to decide to Sri Lanka's fate

Sri Lanka presidential election: Polling authority hints at a attempt to influence voters

One brother is considered a shoo-in for the job of Sri Lanka's president in elections this weekend and another is eyeing the prime minister's post when that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-freedom-party-extends-conditional-support-to-gotabhaya-rajapaksa-254755">election becomes due early next year</a>.

Two other brothers are political strategists for their Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna party and one of them is considering a shot at becoming the speaker in parliament. Three men of the family's next generation are also in politics.

The Rajapaksas, best known for the brutal defeat of separatist Tamil rebels and then drawing Sri Lanka into China's orbit when the West and India shunned the Indian Ocean island, are back at the centre of the nation's deeply divisive politics and it is stoking fear.

While there are no formal opinion polls, former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa is the hot favourite to win the presidential election this Saturday. His chief opponent Sajith Premadasa, a government minister, is seen to be trailing.

Gotabaya led the operations against the Tamil Tigers when his elder brother Mahinda Rajapaksa was president. Gotabaya has faced lawsuits in Sri Lanka and in the United States over allegations of staged killings of Tamil separatists, critics and journalists during the war.

Both brothers deny the allegations as part of a Western conspiracy to interfere in the island nation of 22 million that sits astride vital shipping lanes and has long been a tinder-box of tensions between the dominant Sinhalese Buddhists and minority ethnic Tamils. In recent months, Sinhalese hardliners have also targeted the tiny Muslim community.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Mahinda lost the 2015 presidential election to a cabinet colleague who turned against him - Maithripala Sirisena. After his ouster, the family's fortunes fell into decline.

But Easter Sunday bombings on hotels and churches, in which more than 250 people were killed, derailed Sirisena's presidency, and he has announced he will not contest this year. The attacks, claimed by Islamic State, have rekindled support for the Rajapaksas and their brand of Sinhalese nationalism.

Mahinda is barred from running for president again, and is on the stump for Gotabaya, bringing an affable touch to the campaign against the rather gruff manner of his brother, more known for his military machismo.

Another brother, Basil, handles the party finances and striking deals with rival groups while a fourth brother and former speaker, Chamal, campaigns in the family borough in the south of the island.

Family prospects

Mahinda, who is currently the leader of the opposition in parliament, is the obvious choice for prime minister when parliamentary elections are held early next year, said Keheliya Rambukwella, spokesman for the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/in-sri-lanka-a-polarising-politician-reaches-out-to-minorities-247080">Gotabaya campaign</a>.

Chamal Rajapaksa would be the choice for parliament speaker, a position he has previously held, political experts, say. In all, seven members of the family are involved in politics, and some of the others could also end up in parliament.

"We are going to see family rule again, and all the excesses that came up with it the last time," said Health Minister Rajitha Senarathne, who is opposed to the Rajapaksas. "They will suppress all dissent."

In a front-page editorial, the state-run Sunday Observer said it was "afraid" of a Gotabaya presidency and appealed to voters to make the "right choice."

"A wrong choice will send the country hurtling toward authoritarianism and iron-fisted rule," it said.

Gotabaya's spokesman dismissed warnings of family rule, saying the candidate was quite clear merit will be only considered for top political jobs.&nbsp;

"When Gotabaya comes to power he will appoint people with qualification to the positions, irrespective of their ties to him," Rambukwella said.

On the campaign, Gotabaya has been uncompromising about the need to strengthen security, repeatedly raising the circumstances that led to the Easter Sunday attacks.

At a campaign rally in Wellawaye in central Sri Lanka Gotabaya said during his time as defence secretary, he had raised special military and intelligence units to tackle extremism, drug trafficking networks and the underworld. These cells had since been weakened, he said.

"There can be no higher priority than national security," he said.

One brother is considered a shoo-in for the job of Sri Lanka's president in elections this weekend and another is eyeing the prime minister's post when that election becomes due early next year.

One brother is considered a shoo-in for the job of Sri Lanka's president in elections this weekend and another is eyeing the prime minister's post when that election becomes due early next year. Two other brothers are political strategists for their Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna party and one of them is considering a shot at becoming the speaker in parliament. Three men of the family's next generation are also in politics. The Rajapaksas, best known for the brutal defeat of separatist Tamil rebels and then drawing Sri Lanka into China's orbit when the West and India shunned the Indian Ocean island, are back at the centre of the nation's deeply divisive politics and it is stoking fear. While there are no formal opinion polls, former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa is the hot favourite to win the presidential election this Saturday. His chief opponent Sajith Premadasa, a government minister, is seen to be trailing. Gotabaya led the operations against the Tamil Tigers when his elder brother Mahinda Rajapaksa was president. Gotabaya has faced lawsuits in Sri Lanka and in the United States over allegations of staged killings of Tamil separatists, critics and journalists during the war. Both brothers deny the allegations as part of a Western conspiracy to interfere in the island nation of 22 million that sits astride vital shipping lanes and has long been a tinder-box of tensions between the dominant Sinhalese Buddhists and minority ethnic Tamils. In recent months, Sinhalese hardliners have also targeted the tiny Muslim community. Mahinda lost the 2015 presidential election to a cabinet colleague who turned against him - Maithripala Sirisena. After his ouster, the family's fortunes fell into decline. But Easter Sunday bombings on hotels and churches, in which more than 250 people were killed, derailed Sirisena's presidency, and he has announced he will not contest this year. The attacks, claimed by Islamic State, have rekindled support for the Rajapaksas and their brand of Sinhalese nationalism. Mahinda is barred from running for president again, and is on the stump for Gotabaya, bringing an affable touch to the campaign against the rather gruff manner of his brother, more known for his military machismo. Another brother, Basil, handles the party finances and striking deals with rival groups while a fourth brother and former speaker, Chamal, campaigns in the family borough in the south of the island. Family prospects Mahinda, who is currently the leader of the opposition in parliament, is the obvious choice for prime minister when parliamentary elections are held early next year, said Keheliya Rambukwella, spokesman for the Gotabaya campaign. Chamal Rajapaksa would be the choice for parliament speaker, a position he has previously held, political experts, say. In all, seven members of the family are involved in politics, and some of the others could also end up in parliament. "We are going to see family rule again, and all the excesses that came up with it the last time," said Health Minister Rajitha Senarathne, who is opposed to the Rajapaksas. "They will suppress all dissent." In a front-page editorial, the state-run Sunday Observer said it was "afraid" of a Gotabaya presidency and appealed to voters to make the "right choice." "A wrong choice will send the country hurtling toward authoritarianism and iron-fisted rule," it said. Gotabaya's spokesman dismissed warnings of family rule, saying the candidate was quite clear merit will be only considered for top political jobs. "When Gotabaya comes to power he will appoint people with qualification to the positions, irrespective of their ties to him," Rambukwella said. On the campaign, Gotabaya has been uncompromising about the need to strengthen security, repeatedly raising the circumstances that led to the Easter Sunday attacks. At a campaign rally in Wellawaye in central Sri Lanka Gotabaya said during his time as defence secretary, he had raised special military and intelligence units to tackle extremism, drug trafficking networks and the underworld. These cells had since been weakened, he said. "There can be no higher priority than national security," he said.

Rajapaksa brothers set to dominate Sri Lanka again after hiatus

The presidential front-runner in Sri Lanka promised Friday he would make the country safer, and free from terrorism.

Rajapaksa launches manifesto; Vows to free soldiers, rebels

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) on Wednesday announced that they'll extend conditional support to Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) presidential candidate Gotabhaya Rajapaksa's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-central-bank-seen-keeping-rates-on-hold-ahead-of-elections-254686">election campaign</a>. 
 
"The SLFP will sign two Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) to form a new alliance called Sri Lanka Freedom People's Alliance," said SLFP parliamentarian Nimal Siripala de Silva at a press meet here. 
 
Further explaining the terms, SLFP General Secretary MP Dayasiri Jayasekara said that the MoUs will be signed by the party within the next two days. 
 
"One agreement is to be signed between the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna. The other agreement will be signed by the SLFP with the presidential candidate Gotabhaya Rajapaksa," Jayasekara said. 
 
Last week,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-faces-costliest-election-longest-ballot-paper-254467">the Sri Lankan Election Commission had announced that the Presidential elections are scheduled for November 16</a> and the acceptance of the nominations will be held on October 7. 
 
In August, Sri Lanka's main opposition party, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, had named former President Mahinda Rajapaksa's younger brother and former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa as its presidential candidate.

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) on Wednesday announced that they'll extend conditional support to Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) presidential candidate Gotabhaya Rajapaksa's election campaign.

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) on Wednesday announced that they'll extend conditional support to Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) presidential candidate Gotabhaya Rajapaksa's election campaign. "The SLFP will sign two Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) to form a new alliance called Sri Lanka Freedom People's Alliance," said SLFP parliamentarian Nimal Siripala de Silva at a press meet here. Further explaining the terms, SLFP General Secretary MP Dayasiri Jayasekara said that the MoUs will be signed by the party within the next two days. "One agreement is to be signed between the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna. The other agreement will be signed by the SLFP with the presidential candidate Gotabhaya Rajapaksa," Jayasekara said. Last week, the Sri Lankan Election Commission had announced that the Presidential elections are scheduled for November 16 and the acceptance of the nominations will be held on October 7. In August, Sri Lanka's main opposition party, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, had named former President Mahinda Rajapaksa's younger brother and former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa as its presidential candidate.

Sri Lanka Freedom Party extends conditional support to Gotabhaya Rajapaksa

Sri Lanka presidential candidate <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-wartime-defence-chief-gotabaya-rajapaksa-launches-presidential-bid-242301">Gotabaya Rajapaksa </a>has been a polarising figure for much of his political life. It is an image he is trying to change.

When he was defence chief in his brother Mahinda Rajapaksa`s government he crushed ethnic Tamil separatist rebels, bringing a 26-year-long civil war to a close. But relatives of dead or missing Tamils have accused him of war crimes, including extra-judicial killings and abductions, in lawsuits filed against him in the United States.

Rajapaksa has denied the accusations.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-wartime-defence-chief-gotabaya-rajapaksa-launches-presidential-bid-242301">Sri Lanka wartime defence chief Gotabaya Rajapaksa launches presidential bid</a>

His failure to publicly distance himself from radical Buddhist monks makes him a figure of suspicion in the minority Muslim community, as well as among some in the small Christian community.&nbsp;

In 2013, he was chief guest at the opening of a leadership academy run by a hardline Buddhist group, the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS). Groups such as BBS see the minorities as a potential threat to the Sinhala Buddhist majority in Sri Lanka.

But that hasn`t stopped Rajapaksa and his Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party from seeking to woo Muslim and Christian voters after he recently declared he was standing in the election due to be held by December 9.&nbsp;

His overtures might work in parts of the Christian community fearful after Easter Sunday bombings of churches and hotels by Islamist militants that killed 250 people.&nbsp;

Some Christians say they are looking for stronger security policies, even if that means going with a hardliner like Rajapaksa.

But Muslims are less convinced because they suspect a Rajapaksa government may turn a blind eye to attacks by Buddhist extremists. That is what some say happened in 2014 when anti-Muslim riots in the southwestern Kalutara district displaced thousands during the time of his brother`s presidency.

A spokesman for the Rajapaksa`s SLPP, Keheliya Rambukwella, said the riots were orchestrated to turn Muslims away from the Rajapaksa camp.

As a politician who respected all communities and religions, Rajapaksa was doing the "right thing" by visiting houses of worship, Rambukwella said.&nbsp;

"It gives a message very clearly that he wants communal harmony." 
Rajapaksa`s office declined a request for an interview with him.

Tamil fears

He has yet to tour the Tamil-dominated north and east of Sri Lanka but has said he would work toward fulfilling their aspirations, including more regional autonomy.

Relatives of Tamils missing since the end of the war, former cadres of the Tamil Tiger insurgent group and people who say their land has been occupied by the military, interviewed by Reuters in recent days, said they feared a military clampdown if Rajapaksa rose to power.&nbsp;

But one Tamil party, the Eelam People`s Democratic Party, is pro-Rajapaksa and says only his leadership can fulfil regional demands.

The political calculations are clear. While Sri Lanka is 70%Sinhala Buddhist, some Buddhists support current Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe`s rival centre-right United National Party (UNP).

Muslims account for about 10% of the island nation`s 21 million population and Christians nearly 7%.

Hardline Buddhist monks enjoyed impunity during Mahinda Rajapaksa`s government, antagonising minorities who voted overwhelmingly against him in 2015, said Hilmy Ahamed, vice president of the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka.&nbsp;

Muslims would not be safe if Rajapaksa won the presidential election, said A.R.M Badiuddin, a former local council head in Dharga Town, about 80 km south of Colombo, which was caught up in the 2014 riots. 
"The Rajapaksas have betrayed us," said Badiuddin, on a day Rajapaksa was due to visit a historic mosque, near his village home. 
"Muslims won`t forget and won`t help them."&nbsp;

Blessings at the mosque

On August 17, the centuries-old Kechimale Mosque, which looks out over the Indian Ocean, was unusually busy for a Saturday evening as it prepared for the first-ever visit by Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his brother, Mahinda. Hundreds waited for nearly four hours before they arrived in the late evening.

Inside the mosque, a cleric sought blessings for Gotabaya Rajapaksa so he could ensure "unity and equality for all ethnicities in Sri Lanka".

Clerics said they welcomed everyone, declining to comment on the politics of the visit.

Rajapaksa is also trying to win over Sri Lanka`s Catholics, many of whom have traditionally voted UNP.

This month, he met senior Catholic priests in Kandy and Matara. He recently said his government would promptly act on a demand by the Archbishop of Colombo to set up an independent panel to investigate the Easter bomb attacks.

Some were sceptical of the motive but said Rajapaksa, nevertheless, might win the support of Christians.

"Everything is done to win votes, not in a genuine way," a senior clergyman told Reuters on condition of anonymity/ 
"There is a possibility this time that Catholics will vote for Gotabaya."

Mahinda Rajapaksa`s wife, Shiranthi, is Catholic and the couple met the Pope at the Vatican in 2014 and during his 2015 Sri Lanka visit.&nbsp;

Shiranthi also donated land and money to a Catholic church in Colombo during Rajapaksa`s term.&nbsp;

"They helped us a lot", the clergyman added.

But Rajapaksa`s authoritarian style worries many Protestants, who make up about 2% of the population.

"People are waiting to see whether he would actually say that he is moving from a very hardline stance to a more moderate stance," said Godfrey Yogarajah, deputy secretary-general of the World Evangelical Alliance.&nbsp;

"We haven`t heard him say anything at all to that effect."

Sri Lanka presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa has been a polarising figure for much of his political life. It is an image he is trying to change. When he was defence chief in his brother Mahinda Rajapaksa`s government he crushed ethnic Tamil separatist rebels, bringing a 26-year-long civil war to a close.

Sri Lanka presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa has been a polarising figure for much of his political life. It is an image he is trying to change. When he was defence chief in his brother Mahinda Rajapaksa`s government he crushed ethnic Tamil separatist rebels, bringing a 26-year-long civil war to a close. But relatives of dead or missing Tamils have accused him of war crimes, including extra-judicial killings and abductions, in lawsuits filed against him in the United States. Rajapaksa has denied the accusations. Also read: Sri Lanka wartime defence chief Gotabaya Rajapaksa launches presidential bid His failure to publicly distance himself from radical Buddhist monks makes him a figure of suspicion in the minority Muslim community, as well as among some in the small Christian community. In 2013, he was chief guest at the opening of a leadership academy run by a hardline Buddhist group, the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS). Groups such as BBS see the minorities as a potential threat to the Sinhala Buddhist majority in Sri Lanka. But that hasn`t stopped Rajapaksa and his Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party from seeking to woo Muslim and Christian voters after he recently declared he was standing in the election due to be held by December 9. His overtures might work in parts of the Christian community fearful after Easter Sunday bombings of churches and hotels by Islamist militants that killed 250 people. Some Christians say they are looking for stronger security policies, even if that means going with a hardliner like Rajapaksa. But Muslims are less convinced because they suspect a Rajapaksa government may turn a blind eye to attacks by Buddhist extremists. That is what some say happened in 2014 when anti-Muslim riots in the southwestern Kalutara district displaced thousands during the time of his brother`s presidency. A spokesman for the Rajapaksa`s SLPP, Keheliya Rambukwella, said the riots were orchestrated to turn Muslims away from the Rajapaksa camp. As a politician who respected all communities and religions, Rajapaksa was doing the "right thing" by visiting houses of worship, Rambukwella said. "It gives a message very clearly that he wants communal harmony." Rajapaksa`s office declined a request for an interview with him. Tamil fears He has yet to tour the Tamil-dominated north and east of Sri Lanka but has said he would work toward fulfilling their aspirations, including more regional autonomy. Relatives of Tamils missing since the end of the war, former cadres of the Tamil Tiger insurgent group and people who say their land has been occupied by the military, interviewed by Reuters in recent days, said they feared a military clampdown if Rajapaksa rose to power. But one Tamil party, the Eelam People`s Democratic Party, is pro-Rajapaksa and says only his leadership can fulfil regional demands. The political calculations are clear. While Sri Lanka is 70%Sinhala Buddhist, some Buddhists support current Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe`s rival centre-right United National Party (UNP). Muslims account for about 10% of the island nation`s 21 million population and Christians nearly 7%. Hardline Buddhist monks enjoyed impunity during Mahinda Rajapaksa`s government, antagonising minorities who voted overwhelmingly against him in 2015, said Hilmy Ahamed, vice president of the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka. Muslims would not be safe if Rajapaksa won the presidential election, said A.R.M Badiuddin, a former local council head in Dharga Town, about 80 km south of Colombo, which was caught up in the 2014 riots. "The Rajapaksas have betrayed us," said Badiuddin, on a day Rajapaksa was due to visit a historic mosque, near his village home. "Muslims won`t forget and won`t help them." Blessings at the mosque On August 17, the centuries-old Kechimale Mosque, which looks out over the Indian Ocean, was unusually busy for a Saturday evening as it prepared for the first-ever visit by Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his brother, Mahinda. Hundreds waited for nearly four hours before they arrived in the late evening. Inside the mosque, a cleric sought blessings for Gotabaya Rajapaksa so he could ensure "unity and equality for all ethnicities in Sri Lanka". Clerics said they welcomed everyone, declining to comment on the politics of the visit. Rajapaksa is also trying to win over Sri Lanka`s Catholics, many of whom have traditionally voted UNP. This month, he met senior Catholic priests in Kandy and Matara. He recently said his government would promptly act on a demand by the Archbishop of Colombo to set up an independent panel to investigate the Easter bomb attacks. Some were sceptical of the motive but said Rajapaksa, nevertheless, might win the support of Christians. "Everything is done to win votes, not in a genuine way," a senior clergyman told Reuters on condition of anonymity/ "There is a possibility this time that Catholics will vote for Gotabaya." Mahinda Rajapaksa`s wife, Shiranthi, is Catholic and the couple met the Pope at the Vatican in 2014 and during his 2015 Sri Lanka visit. Shiranthi also donated land and money to a Catholic church in Colombo during Rajapaksa`s term. "They helped us a lot", the clergyman added. But Rajapaksa`s authoritarian style worries many Protestants, who make up about 2% of the population. "People are waiting to see whether he would actually say that he is moving from a very hardline stance to a more moderate stance," said Godfrey Yogarajah, deputy secretary-general of the World Evangelical Alliance. "We haven`t heard him say anything at all to that effect."

Sri Lanka: Presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa reaches out to minorities

Wion Dispatch: Rajapaksa's Brother in Race for top Job

Sri Lanka's opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa Saturday said in Bengaluru there was a "major breakdown" in bilateral relationship between India and his country after a new government was formed in New Delhi in 2014, but the opposition coalition he is heading now has a "good understanding" with India's ruling party.

He emphasised that the rule of thumb with regard to India-Sri Lanka relations should be that if an outgoing government has an adequate working relationship with his country, the incoming one should give due recognition to this.

"Past experience has shown that the danger of disruption in our bilateral relationship arises in the immediate aftermath of changes of government. Such easily avoidable disruptions have had serious consequences for both countries," he said.

"In 2014, the second major breakdown of bilateral relationships took place. Unfortunately, the working relationship that existed between my government and the outgoing government (UPA) did not roll over to the new government of India (NDA)," he said at the third edition of The Huddle, The Hindu's two-day annual conclave here.

Rajapakasa said the misunderstandings of the 1980s and 2014 were aberrations that could easily have been avoided and it is key the two countries evolve a mechanism to prevent these misunderstandings from arising.

The traditional government-to-government dealings alone cannot give shape to the two countries' future relations because the world is becoming more complex by the day, Rajapaksa said.&nbsp;

Political leaders would continue to play the most coveted role as they determine the policies -- foreign, economic, security, and a host of other policies -- and that would have bearing on the relations, he said.&nbsp;

Tangibles like these are easier to monitor and even control, but intangibles pose grave threats, Rajapaksa said.&nbsp;

"Political leaders and other societal leaders must always keep a tab on the intangibles. For instance, a wrong word from a leader would sour the relations as we have witnessed in the past," he said.

"Despite the snag of 2014, the opposition coalition that I am leading now in Sri Lanka has a good understanding with the ruling party in India," he added.

He said since the two countries are geographically in very close proximity, they have mutual obligation to ensure each other's security.

"Often, we have heard the Indian leaders emphasizing the need for Sri Lanka to ensure that the Sri Lankan soil is not used by any third party that would pose a threat to India. Similarly, we too would want India to ensure that...Any groups operating within Indian soil does not pose a threat to Sri Lanka," he said.

He also said in future bilateral relations, Indian Ocean maritime security too would be an important aspect in forging a well-founded strategy.&nbsp;

"In all these, I strongly believe that a vibrant, on-going dialogue between the two countries would ensure each other's national security. This dialogue as I have emphasized earlier should transcend the normal diplomatic boundaries and there are experiences such as the Troika that we could draw from," he said.

Forming such an entity is foremost in his party's plans for the future, he added.

"When addressing political stability, as we have seen in the recent past, this is one of the most crucial factors that would determine the character of our future relations. If any of our two countries has political turmoil and instability, foreign relations would be put on the back burner," he said.

He said both the States have always respected and stayed true to the Non-Aligned Movements' principles of sovereignty, non-aggression, non-interference, mutual benefit and peaceful coexistence, he said.&nbsp;

Rajapaksa was controversially appointed Sri Lanka prime minister by President Maithripala Sirisena in October last year, triggering an unprecedented constitutional crisis which lasted for over 50 days.

The Supreme Court in Sri Lanka later restored Ranil Wickremesinghe as prime minister.

Sri Lanka's opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa Saturday said in Bengaluru there was a "major breakdown" in bilateral relationship between India and his country after a new government was formed in New Delhi in 2014, but the opposition coalition he is heading now has a "good understanding" with India's ruling party.

Sri Lanka's opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa Saturday said in Bengaluru there was a "major breakdown" in bilateral relationship between India and his country after a new government was formed in New Delhi in 2014, but the opposition coalition he is heading now has a "good understanding" with India's ruling party. He emphasised that the rule of thumb with regard to India-Sri Lanka relations should be that if an outgoing government has an adequate working relationship with his country, the incoming one should give due recognition to this. "Past experience has shown that the danger of disruption in our bilateral relationship arises in the immediate aftermath of changes of government. Such easily avoidable disruptions have had serious consequences for both countries," he said. "In 2014, the second major breakdown of bilateral relationships took place. Unfortunately, the working relationship that existed between my government and the outgoing government (UPA) did not roll over to the new government of India (NDA)," he said at the third edition of The Huddle, The Hindu's two-day annual conclave here. Rajapakasa said the misunderstandings of the 1980s and 2014 were aberrations that could easily have been avoided and it is key the two countries evolve a mechanism to prevent these misunderstandings from arising. The traditional government-to-government dealings alone cannot give shape to the two countries' future relations because the world is becoming more complex by the day, Rajapaksa said. Political leaders would continue to play the most coveted role as they determine the policies -- foreign, economic, security, and a host of other policies -- and that would have bearing on the relations, he said. Tangibles like these are easier to monitor and even control, but intangibles pose grave threats, Rajapaksa said. "Political leaders and other societal leaders must always keep a tab on the intangibles. For instance, a wrong word from a leader would sour the relations as we have witnessed in the past," he said. "Despite the snag of 2014, the opposition coalition that I am leading now in Sri Lanka has a good understanding with the ruling party in India," he added. He said since the two countries are geographically in very close proximity, they have mutual obligation to ensure each other's security. "Often, we have heard the Indian leaders emphasizing the need for Sri Lanka to ensure that the Sri Lankan soil is not used by any third party that would pose a threat to India. Similarly, we too would want India to ensure that...Any groups operating within Indian soil does not pose a threat to Sri Lanka," he said. He also said in future bilateral relations, Indian Ocean maritime security too would be an important aspect in forging a well-founded strategy. "In all these, I strongly believe that a vibrant, on-going dialogue between the two countries would ensure each other's national security. This dialogue as I have emphasized earlier should transcend the normal diplomatic boundaries and there are experiences such as the Troika that we could draw from," he said. Forming such an entity is foremost in his party's plans for the future, he added. "When addressing political stability, as we have seen in the recent past, this is one of the most crucial factors that would determine the character of our future relations. If any of our two countries has political turmoil and instability, foreign relations would be put on the back burner," he said. He said both the States have always respected and stayed true to the Non-Aligned Movements' principles of sovereignty, non-aggression, non-interference, mutual benefit and peaceful coexistence, he said. Rajapaksa was controversially appointed Sri Lanka prime minister by President Maithripala Sirisena in October last year, triggering an unprecedented constitutional crisis which lasted for over 50 days. The Supreme Court in Sri Lanka later restored Ranil Wickremesinghe as prime minister.

There was major breakdown in India-Sri Lanka ties after change of government in 2014: Mahinda Rajapaksa

Sri Lanka's Opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa will visit India during which he will address a forum on the future ties between the two nations, his office said Friday.

This will be Rajapaksa's first overseas tour since being appointed as the Leader of the Opposition last month.

He will leave for India on Friday, his office said.&nbsp;

Rajapaksa is scheduled to attend a forum, organised by "The Hindu daily" on February 9-10 in Bangalore. He has been invited to make the inaugural speech at this forum. His address will mainly focus on the pathway of future ties between India and Sri Lanka.&nbsp;

The keynote address of the second day of this forum will be made by Vice President Venkaiah Naidu.

Mahinda Rajapaksa will also be meeting with dignitaries on the sidelines of the conference.&nbsp;

His will be his second visit to India within 6 months. In September, he visited New Delhi and met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Rajapaksa was controversially appointed the prime minister by President Maithripala Sirisena late October, triggering an unprecedented constitutional crisis which lasted for over 50 days. The Supreme Court later restored of Ranil Wickremesinghe as prime minister.&nbsp;

Earlier, Rajapaksa was Sri Lanka's president for 10 years.&nbsp;

Sri Lanka's Opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa will visit India during which he will address a forum on the future ties between the two nations, his office said Friday.

Sri Lanka's Opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa will visit India during which he will address a forum on the future ties between the two nations, his office said Friday. This will be Rajapaksa's first overseas tour since being appointed as the Leader of the Opposition last month. He will leave for India on Friday, his office said. Rajapaksa is scheduled to attend a forum, organised by "The Hindu daily" on February 9-10 in Bangalore. He has been invited to make the inaugural speech at this forum. His address will mainly focus on the pathway of future ties between India and Sri Lanka. The keynote address of the second day of this forum will be made by Vice President Venkaiah Naidu. Mahinda Rajapaksa will also be meeting with dignitaries on the sidelines of the conference. His will be his second visit to India within 6 months. In September, he visited New Delhi and met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Rajapaksa was controversially appointed the prime minister by President Maithripala Sirisena late October, triggering an unprecedented constitutional crisis which lasted for over 50 days. The Supreme Court later restored of Ranil Wickremesinghe as prime minister. Earlier, Rajapaksa was Sri Lanka's president for 10 years.

Sri Lanka's Opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa set to visit India

Sri Lanka's main Tamil party TNA should not be allowed to achieve through its support to prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's government what it could not accomplish in the three-decade-long civil war, ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa has said, warning that the country cannot be divided.

Addressing a public gathering at Nochchiyagama in the north-central province on Sunday, Rajapaksa, now the main opposition leader, said the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) could make political capital out of its support to the government.

"They should not be allowed to achieve through Constitution what they could not achieve through war," Rajapaksa said.

He was hinting at the TNA's support to Wickremesinghe to end the recent constitutional and political crisis which lasted for over 50 days.

Rajapaksa alluded that the TNA would make use of the support to win political autonomy through devious means when Wickremesinghe introduces a new Constitution.

"This country cannot be separated or divided, all must work in unison," Rajapaksa said.

The TNA stood against the sacking of Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister by President Maithripala Sirisena on October 26 and replacing him with Rajapaksa, triggering an unprecedented constitutional and political crisis.&nbsp;

Sirisena also dissolved parliament when it appeared that Rajapaksa was not able to garner a working majority.

The Supreme Court delivered a huge blow to both Sirisena and Rajapaksa when a 7-member bench unanimously ruled Siirsena's dissolving of parliament as unconstitutional. It led to Wickremesinghe being reinstated as prime minister.

Rajapaksa's war effort in crushing the LTTE's 30-year-old campaign to carve out a separate homeland for the minority Tamils has endeared him to the 74 per cent of the Sinhala majority.

He aims to convert the Sinhala goodwill to votes after he was ousted by a popular movement for reforms backed by both the Sinhala majority and the minority communities in 2015.

The TNA had backed Sirisena's victory in 2015 and anticipated action on introduction of a new Constitution which guaranteed political freedom for Tamil minority in the north and east provinces.

However, Rajapaksa's opposition has whipped up Sinhala majority nationalism to scuttle the effort.

His new party the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) swept the local polls held in February this year in the Sinhala-dominated areas.&nbsp;

Sri Lanka's main Tamil party demands devolution of powers in the new Constitution to resolve ethnic issues.

The Tamil minority seeks a power devolution arrangement to give autonomy to the traditional Tamil regions in the north and east of the island.

The Tamils had stayed away from both previous Constitutions making processes in 1972 and 1978.

Unhappy with sharing of power, the Tamils demanded self-determination in 1976 which was later converted to a bloody military campaign carried out by the LTTE. The armed Tamil group fought a guerrilla war to create a separate Tamil state.

With the LTTE's military defeat in 2009, following the death its supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran, the moderate Tamils parties have consented to the realisation of Tamil demands through consultation.

According to the government figures, around 20,000 people are missing due to various conflicts including the civil war with Lankan Tamils in the north and east which claimed at least 100,000 lives.

According to UN figures, up to 40,000 civilians were killed by security forces during Rajapaksa's regime that brought an end to the three-decade long civil war.

Sri Lanka's main Tamil party TNA should not be allowed to achieve through its support to prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's government what it could not accomplish in the three-decade-long civil war, ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa has said, warning that the country cannot be divided.

Sri Lanka's main Tamil party TNA should not be allowed to achieve through its support to prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's government what it could not accomplish in the three-decade-long civil war, ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa has said, warning that the country cannot be divided. Addressing a public gathering at Nochchiyagama in the north-central province on Sunday, Rajapaksa, now the main opposition leader, said the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) could make political capital out of its support to the government. "They should not be allowed to achieve through Constitution what they could not achieve through war," Rajapaksa said. He was hinting at the TNA's support to Wickremesinghe to end the recent constitutional and political crisis which lasted for over 50 days. Rajapaksa alluded that the TNA would make use of the support to win political autonomy through devious means when Wickremesinghe introduces a new Constitution. "This country cannot be separated or divided, all must work in unison," Rajapaksa said. The TNA stood against the sacking of Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister by President Maithripala Sirisena on October 26 and replacing him with Rajapaksa, triggering an unprecedented constitutional and political crisis. Sirisena also dissolved parliament when it appeared that Rajapaksa was not able to garner a working majority. The Supreme Court delivered a huge blow to both Sirisena and Rajapaksa when a 7-member bench unanimously ruled Siirsena's dissolving of parliament as unconstitutional. It led to Wickremesinghe being reinstated as prime minister. Rajapaksa's war effort in crushing the LTTE's 30-year-old campaign to carve out a separate homeland for the minority Tamils has endeared him to the 74 per cent of the Sinhala majority. He aims to convert the Sinhala goodwill to votes after he was ousted by a popular movement for reforms backed by both the Sinhala majority and the minority communities in 2015. The TNA had backed Sirisena's victory in 2015 and anticipated action on introduction of a new Constitution which guaranteed political freedom for Tamil minority in the north and east provinces. However, Rajapaksa's opposition has whipped up Sinhala majority nationalism to scuttle the effort. His new party the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) swept the local polls held in February this year in the Sinhala-dominated areas. Sri Lanka's main Tamil party demands devolution of powers in the new Constitution to resolve ethnic issues. The Tamil minority seeks a power devolution arrangement to give autonomy to the traditional Tamil regions in the north and east of the island. The Tamils had stayed away from both previous Constitutions making processes in 1972 and 1978. Unhappy with sharing of power, the Tamils demanded self-determination in 1976 which was later converted to a bloody military campaign carried out by the LTTE. The armed Tamil group fought a guerrilla war to create a separate Tamil state. With the LTTE's military defeat in 2009, following the death its supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran, the moderate Tamils parties have consented to the realisation of Tamil demands through consultation. According to the government figures, around 20,000 people are missing due to various conflicts including the civil war with Lankan Tamils in the north and east which claimed at least 100,000 lives. According to UN figures, up to 40,000 civilians were killed by security forces during Rajapaksa's regime that brought an end to the three-decade long civil war.

Tamil National Alliance will gain political mileage out of its support to shaky govt: Rajapaksa

Sri Lanka's central bank is expected to leave its key interest rates steady on Friday, a Reuters poll showed, despite heavy pressure on the rupee from a political crisis that triggered foreign outflows from stocks and government bonds.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-president-sirisena-meets-party-organisers-hints-2019-may-be-election-year-186363">President Maithripala Sirisena</a> was forced to reinstate Ranil Wickremesinghe as prime minister 51 days after sacking him, as his preferred PM, pro-China former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, failed to secure a parliamentary majority.

An uneasy <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/2018-will-be-remembered-for-worst-political-crisis-in-lankas-history-186606">truce between Wickremesinghe and Sirisena </a>could undermine economic policies, analysts say.

All analysts expect the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) to leave key rates steady as Wickremesinghe's government aims to focus on economic growth, which has been sluggish due to tight policies, ahead of a presidential poll next year and general election in 2020.

All 10 economists surveyed, expected the central bank to keep both its standing deposit facility rate (SDFR) and standing lending facility rate (SLFR) to be left at 8.00 per cent and 9.00 per cent respectively.

The central bank raised SDFR by 75 bps and SLFR by 50 bps last month, while reduced the statutory reserve ratio (SRR) by 150 bps to 6.00 per cent.

All 10 analysts saw the SRR remaining steady.

Sirisena's abrupt change of prime minister and his decision to dissolve parliament, which was later ruled unconstitutional, created panic and uncertainty among investors.

The Sri Lankan rupee hit a fresh low of 181.85 per dollar on Wednesday while the island nation's dollar bonds have also plummeted as foreign investors sell their holdings. The rupee has fallen nearly 5 per cent since the political crisis started on October 26. It has dropped 18.4 per cent so far this year.

"Political pressure would be against increasing the rates," said Danushka Samarasinghe, the CEO at Softlogic Capital Markets.

"However, if rates are increased, it will be better for safeguarding foreign investments in the bond market and also might be favourable from a fiscal point of view."

Foreign investors have sold a net 13.7 billion rupees worth of stocks since the political crisis began and about 56.7 billion rupees worth of bonds between October 25 and December 19, bourse and central bank data showed.

Sri Lanka has seen net outflows of 149 billion rupees ($821 million) from government bonds so far this year, central bank data showed.

Sri Lanka's central bank is expected to leave its key interest rates steady on Friday, a Reuters poll showed, despite heavy pressure on the rupee from a political crisis that triggered foreign outflows from stocks and government bonds.

Sri Lanka's central bank is expected to leave its key interest rates steady on Friday, a Reuters poll showed, despite heavy pressure on the rupee from a political crisis that triggered foreign outflows from stocks and government bonds. President Maithripala Sirisena was forced to reinstate Ranil Wickremesinghe as prime minister 51 days after sacking him, as his preferred PM, pro-China former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, failed to secure a parliamentary majority. An uneasy truce between Wickremesinghe and Sirisena could undermine economic policies, analysts say. All analysts expect the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) to leave key rates steady as Wickremesinghe's government aims to focus on economic growth, which has been sluggish due to tight policies, ahead of a presidential poll next year and general election in 2020. All 10 economists surveyed, expected the central bank to keep both its standing deposit facility rate (SDFR) and standing lending facility rate (SLFR) to be left at 8.00 per cent and 9.00 per cent respectively. The central bank raised SDFR by 75 bps and SLFR by 50 bps last month, while reduced the statutory reserve ratio (SRR) by 150 bps to 6.00 per cent. All 10 analysts saw the SRR remaining steady. Sirisena's abrupt change of prime minister and his decision to dissolve parliament, which was later ruled unconstitutional, created panic and uncertainty among investors. The Sri Lankan rupee hit a fresh low of 181.85 per dollar on Wednesday while the island nation's dollar bonds have also plummeted as foreign investors sell their holdings. The rupee has fallen nearly 5 per cent since the political crisis started on October 26. It has dropped 18.4 per cent so far this year. "Political pressure would be against increasing the rates," said Danushka Samarasinghe, the CEO at Softlogic Capital Markets. "However, if rates are increased, it will be better for safeguarding foreign investments in the bond market and also might be favourable from a fiscal point of view." Foreign investors have sold a net 13.7 billion rupees worth of stocks since the political crisis began and about 56.7 billion rupees worth of bonds between October 25 and December 19, bourse and central bank data showed. Sri Lanka has seen net outflows of 149 billion rupees ($821 million) from government bonds so far this year, central bank data showed.

Sri Lanka central bank seen keeping rates steady despite pressure on rupee: Report

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/over-45000-people-hit-by-flash-floods-in-northern-sri-lanka-186046">Sri Lankan </a>President Maithripala Sirisena has held a meeting with his <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/wickremesinghe-acknowledges-differences-with-sirisena-on-ministerial-appointments-185841">party's electoral organisers</a>, fuelling speculation that the SLPF Chairman, who was recently at the centre of an unprecedented political standoff, may be hoping for a possible presidential re-run in 2019.

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLPF) organisers were summoned on Monday for the special meeting at the President's house and were briefed about the party's future plans and restructuring activities.

"We discussed the party's future reform drive which will be kick-started in January," said party's general secretary Rohana Laxman.

"The president told the organisers that they need to be dedicated to the reform programme," Laxman said.

Sirisena could call a snap presidential election after January 8 next year. It was not clear if the organisers' meeting was to gear the party for the eventuality of a snap presidential poll.

Sri Lanka's English daily 'Daily News', however, reported that Sirisena instructed the SLFP electoral organisers to get ready for an "election year", stating that the provincial and presidential elections would be held next year.

He had also indicated the possibility of even a general election next year, it said.

By the schedule,&nbsp;the next presidential election must be called by November 2019 and held before January 2020.

President Sirisena, who is also the SLFP Chairman, found himself at the centre of an unprecedented political and constitutional crisis after he took a controversial decision and sacked prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in an alleged illegal power grab and replaced him with ex-strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Rajapaksa was defeated by Sirisena with Wickremesinghe's United National Party (UNP) support in the 2015 presidential election, ending Rajapaksa's 10-year rule.

However, after 3 years of bitter opposition, Rajapaksa and Sirisena patched up and Sirisena ditched Wickremesinghe, the man who elevated him to become the president.

Rajapaksa has formed his own party and did well in the local elections held early this year by defeating both Sirisena and Wickremesinghe's parties.

Rajapaksa wants a snap parliamentary election well ahead of its schedule in August 2020 as he is confident of winning it. He is constitutionally barred from running for president again.

Sirisena's dissolution of parliament to call for a snap parliamentary election for January 5 next year was ruled illegal by the Supreme Court. The court ruling forced him to restore Wickremesinghe in office after compelling Rajapaksa to resign who failed to prove his majority in Parliament.

The provincial polls are due in the country. They have been held back due to legal issues as amendments are needed to hold them under a new system of a hybrid first-past-the-post and proportional representation systems.

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has held a meeting with his party's electoral organisers, fuelling speculation that the SLPF Chairman, who was recently at the centre of an unprecedented political standoff, may be hoping for a possible presidential re-run in 2019.

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has held a meeting with his party's electoral organisers, fuelling speculation that the SLPF Chairman, who was recently at the centre of an unprecedented political standoff, may be hoping for a possible presidential re-run in 2019. The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLPF) organisers were summoned on Monday for the special meeting at the President's house and were briefed about the party's future plans and restructuring activities. "We discussed the party's future reform drive which will be kick-started in January," said party's general secretary Rohana Laxman. "The president told the organisers that they need to be dedicated to the reform programme," Laxman said. Sirisena could call a snap presidential election after January 8 next year. It was not clear if the organisers' meeting was to gear the party for the eventuality of a snap presidential poll. Sri Lanka's English daily 'Daily News', however, reported that Sirisena instructed the SLFP electoral organisers to get ready for an "election year", stating that the provincial and presidential elections would be held next year. He had also indicated the possibility of even a general election next year, it said. By the schedule, the next presidential election must be called by November 2019 and held before January 2020. President Sirisena, who is also the SLFP Chairman, found himself at the centre of an unprecedented political and constitutional crisis after he took a controversial decision and sacked prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in an alleged illegal power grab and replaced him with ex-strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa. Rajapaksa was defeated by Sirisena with Wickremesinghe's United National Party (UNP) support in the 2015 presidential election, ending Rajapaksa's 10-year rule. However, after 3 years of bitter opposition, Rajapaksa and Sirisena patched up and Sirisena ditched Wickremesinghe, the man who elevated him to become the president. Rajapaksa has formed his own party and did well in the local elections held early this year by defeating both Sirisena and Wickremesinghe's parties. Rajapaksa wants a snap parliamentary election well ahead of its schedule in August 2020 as he is confident of winning it. He is constitutionally barred from running for president again. Sirisena's dissolution of parliament to call for a snap parliamentary election for January 5 next year was ruled illegal by the Supreme Court. The court ruling forced him to restore Wickremesinghe in office after compelling Rajapaksa to resign who failed to prove his majority in Parliament. The provincial polls are due in the country. They have been held back due to legal issues as amendments are needed to hold them under a new system of a hybrid first-past-the-post and proportional representation systems.

Sri Lanka President Sirisena meets party organisers, hints 2019 may be election year

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/hamid-nihal-ansari-in-jail-in-pak-for-6-years-crosses-back-over-into-india-185105">Hamid Nihal Ansari, in jail in Pakistan for 6 years, returns to India</a>

Indian national Hamid Nihal Ansari, who has been in jail in Pakistan for the last six years, crossed back over into India Tuesday evening a little before 6 pm.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/govt-did-not-ask-for-urjit-patels-resignation-as-rbi-governor-jaitley-185044">Govt did not ask for Urjit Patel's resignation as RBI governor: Jaitley</a>

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Tuesday said Tuesday that the government never sought the resignation of Urjit Patel as governor of the Reserve Bank of India over differences in handling liquidity stress in certain sectors.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/man-united-sacks-manager-jose-mourinho-with-immediate-effect-185047">Manchester United sack Jose Mourinho with immediate effect</a>

Manchester United on Tuesday sacked Jose Mourinho as the club's manager with immediate effect, following Sunday’s defeat at Liverpool.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/russian-election-meddling-kremlin-rejects-new-us-reports-accusation-185064">Kremlin says Russia did not target black US voters</a>

The Kremlin on Tuesday rejected Washington's accusations that Russia tried to disrupt the 2016 presidential vote and sought to demoralise African-Americans, calling the charges incomprehensible.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/former-pm-mahinda-rajapaksa-becomes-sri-lankas-main-opposition-leader-185083">Former PM Mahinda Rajapaksa becomes Sri Lanka's main opposition leader</a>

Mahinda Rajapaksa on Tuesday became Sri Lanka's main opposition leader in Parliament, days after he resigned as prime minister after clinging on to power for nearly two months, amidst the unprecedented political turmoil in the country.

&nbsp;

Hamid Nihal Ansari, in jail in Pakistan for 6 years, returns to India Indian national Hamid Nihal Ansari, who has been in jail in Pakistan for the last six years, crossed back over into India Tuesday evening a little before 6 pm.

Hamid Nihal Ansari, in jail in Pakistan for 6 years, returns to India Indian national Hamid Nihal Ansari, who has been in jail in Pakistan for the last six years, crossed back over into India Tuesday evening a little before 6 pm. Govt did not ask for Urjit Patel's resignation as RBI governor: Jaitley Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Tuesday said Tuesday that the government never sought the resignation of Urjit Patel as governor of the Reserve Bank of India over differences in handling liquidity stress in certain sectors. Manchester United sack Jose Mourinho with immediate effect Manchester United on Tuesday sacked Jose Mourinho as the club's manager with immediate effect, following Sunday’s defeat at Liverpool. Kremlin says Russia did not target black US voters The Kremlin on Tuesday rejected Washington's accusations that Russia tried to disrupt the 2016 presidential vote and sought to demoralise African-Americans, calling the charges incomprehensible. Former PM Mahinda Rajapaksa becomes Sri Lanka's main opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa on Tuesday became Sri Lanka's main opposition leader in Parliament, days after he resigned as prime minister after clinging on to power for nearly two months, amidst the unprecedented political turmoil in the country.

News brief: Big stories of the day

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/ranil-wickremesinghe-sworn-in-as-the-prime-minister-of-sri-lanka-184452">Ranil Wickremesinghe</a> Sunday staged a triumphant comeback as Sri Lankan Prime Minister to end the unprecedented political turmoil in the country, 51 days after he was sacked by his bete noire and <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pms-termination-done-in-good-faith-reinstated-him-to-uphold-democracy-sri-lanka-president-sirisena-184631">President Maithripala Sirisena</a>, who also dissolved Parliament, controversial decisions which were nullified by the Supreme Court.

Wickremesinghe, the 69-year-old United National Party leader, was administered the oath of office by President Sirisena, who had sacked him on October 26 and installed former rival and ex-strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa in his place.

The UNP leader had refused to step down asserting that his sacking was illegal.

His re-appointment comes a day after Rajapaksa resigned Saturday, after two crucial Supreme Court decisions made his efforts to cling to&nbsp; 
premiership untenable.

"Today marks a victory not for myself or for the UNP. It is a victory for Sri Lanka's democratic institutions and the sovereignty of our citizens. I thank everyone who stood firm in defending the constitution and ensuring the triumph of democracy," Wickremesinghe said after assuming office.

A sheepish Sirisena, who had ruled out reappointing Wickremesinghe as prime minister, was smiling with Wickremesinghe as he handed him the letter of appointment.

Wickremesinghe's supporters took to streets to celebrate after he took oath at the Presidential Secretariat for the record fifth time.

UNP Assistant Leader Ravi Karunanayake said that talks were held Saturday and more discussions will take place Sunday to select the Cabinet.

The Cabinet is expected to be limited to 30 and will include a few Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) members who have offered support to Wickremesinghe.

It is expected a new Cabinet will be formed by Monday and a vote on account will be passed to provide for the required provisions until a budget for 2019 is formulated, Sri Lankan media reported.

Earlier, Wickremesinghe's party said it was ready to work with President Sirisena, who was "misled by some groups" against the unity government.

UNP deputy leader Sajith Premadasa said that he was not surprised that the President had agreed to appoint Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister again despite taking a firm position earlier that he will not appoint the UNP leader.

"This showed the true character of the President," he was quoted as saying by the Colombo Gazette.

Premadasa said that the President was "misled by some groups who were against the unity Government" and this resulted in the President removing Wickremesinghe.

"But now truth has prevailed," he said. "The party is prepared to work with Sirisena again in the government."

Premadasa said, "The lessons from the incident must be used to strengthen the foundation of democracy and promote justice and fairness."

Sirisena and Rajapaksa suffered reversal setbacks since October 26, forcing the president to reinstate Wickremesinghe.

Rajapaksa, 73, had sought to secure a majority in the 225-member Parliament but failed. Sirisena then dissolved Parliament and called snap elections on January 5.

However, the Supreme Court overturned his decision and halted the preparations for snap polls.

The Supreme Court on Thursday unanimously declared that the dissolution of Parliament by Sirisena was "illegal".

The apex court on Friday also refused to stay a court order restraining&nbsp; 
Rajapaksa from holding the office of Prime Minister until it fully heard the case next month.

Rajapaksa signed his resignation letter during a multi-religious service at his home that was attended by several lawmakers of United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA), Buddhist and other religious leaders.

After signing the resignation letter, Rajapaksa said that following the February 10 local government election, the aim of his party is to have a general election.

However, he said that he has no intention of remaining as Prime Minister without a general election being held, and in order to not hamper the President in any way, he resigned from the position of Prime Minister and made way for the President to form a new Government.

Rajapaksa said that since a general election can no longer be held, the UPFA cannot implement any of the measures they had planned to take "to prevent the country from becoming another Greece."

Most of the countries had not recognised Rajapaksa's government. The global credit rating agencies -- the Fitch, the Standard &amp; Poor's and the Moody's -- had also downgraded Sri Lanka's rating owing to the current political crisis.&nbsp;

Ranil Wickremesinghe Sunday staged a triumphant comeback as Sri Lankan Prime Minister to end the unprecedented political turmoil in the country, 51 days after he was sacked by his bete noire and President Maithripala Sirisena, who also dissolved Parliament, controversial decisions which were nullified by the Supreme Court.

Ranil Wickremesinghe Sunday staged a triumphant comeback as Sri Lankan Prime Minister to end the unprecedented political turmoil in the country, 51 days after he was sacked by his bete noire and President Maithripala Sirisena, who also dissolved Parliament, controversial decisions which were nullified by the Supreme Court. Wickremesinghe, the 69-year-old United National Party leader, was administered the oath of office by President Sirisena, who had sacked him on October 26 and installed former rival and ex-strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa in his place. The UNP leader had refused to step down asserting that his sacking was illegal. His re-appointment comes a day after Rajapaksa resigned Saturday, after two crucial Supreme Court decisions made his efforts to cling to premiership untenable. "Today marks a victory not for myself or for the UNP. It is a victory for Sri Lanka's democratic institutions and the sovereignty of our citizens. I thank everyone who stood firm in defending the constitution and ensuring the triumph of democracy," Wickremesinghe said after assuming office. A sheepish Sirisena, who had ruled out reappointing Wickremesinghe as prime minister, was smiling with Wickremesinghe as he handed him the letter of appointment. Wickremesinghe's supporters took to streets to celebrate after he took oath at the Presidential Secretariat for the record fifth time. UNP Assistant Leader Ravi Karunanayake said that talks were held Saturday and more discussions will take place Sunday to select the Cabinet. The Cabinet is expected to be limited to 30 and will include a few Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) members who have offered support to Wickremesinghe. It is expected a new Cabinet will be formed by Monday and a vote on account will be passed to provide for the required provisions until a budget for 2019 is formulated, Sri Lankan media reported. Earlier, Wickremesinghe's party said it was ready to work with President Sirisena, who was "misled by some groups" against the unity government. UNP deputy leader Sajith Premadasa said that he was not surprised that the President had agreed to appoint Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister again despite taking a firm position earlier that he will not appoint the UNP leader. "This showed the true character of the President," he was quoted as saying by the Colombo Gazette. Premadasa said that the President was "misled by some groups who were against the unity Government" and this resulted in the President removing Wickremesinghe. "But now truth has prevailed," he said. "The party is prepared to work with Sirisena again in the government." Premadasa said, "The lessons from the incident must be used to strengthen the foundation of democracy and promote justice and fairness." Sirisena and Rajapaksa suffered reversal setbacks since October 26, forcing the president to reinstate Wickremesinghe. Rajapaksa, 73, had sought to secure a majority in the 225-member Parliament but failed. Sirisena then dissolved Parliament and called snap elections on January 5. However, the Supreme Court overturned his decision and halted the preparations for snap polls. The Supreme Court on Thursday unanimously declared that the dissolution of Parliament by Sirisena was "illegal". The apex court on Friday also refused to stay a court order restraining Rajapaksa from holding the office of Prime Minister until it fully heard the case next month. Rajapaksa signed his resignation letter during a multi-religious service at his home that was attended by several lawmakers of United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA), Buddhist and other religious leaders. After signing the resignation letter, Rajapaksa said that following the February 10 local government election, the aim of his party is to have a general election. However, he said that he has no intention of remaining as Prime Minister without a general election being held, and in order to not hamper the President in any way, he resigned from the position of Prime Minister and made way for the President to form a new Government. Rajapaksa said that since a general election can no longer be held, the UPFA cannot implement any of the measures they had planned to take "to prevent the country from becoming another Greece." Most of the countries had not recognised Rajapaksa's government. The global credit rating agencies -- the Fitch, the Standard & Poor's and the Moody's -- had also downgraded Sri Lanka's rating owing to the current political crisis.

Victory for democracy, says reinstated Sri Lankan PM Wickremesinghe

Rajapaksa resigns as Lakan PM

In a crucial verdict on Thursday, the Sri Lankan&nbsp;Supreme Court called the sacking of the&nbsp;country's parliament as illegal.

The seven-judge bench unanimously decided that President Maithripala Sirisena violated the country's Constitution when he dissolved parliament and called a snap election nearly two years ahead of schedule.

Sacked prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's party has said it would await the outcome of Thursday's decision before deciding whether to open impeachment proceedings.&nbsp;

Sri Lanka is going through a major political crisis since October 26 when President Sirisena, in a controversial move, sacked Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and installed former strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa in his place.

He also dissolved Parliament and called for a snap election on January 5.

Sirisena sacked the 225-member Parliament when it appeared that Rajapaksa would not be able to muster the support of 113 MPs. Wickremesinghe on the other hand commands a majority.

Sri Lanka's parliament had on Wednesday passed a vote of confidence in its&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-parliament-passes-confidence-vote-backing-ousted-pm-183514">ousted prime minister</a>&nbsp;Ranil Wickremesinghe, as it sought his reinstatement by the president to defuse a political crisis and avoid a government shutdown.

Parliament has twice in the past few weeks voted to sack Rajapaksa but he has refused to resign.

After the Supreme Court verdict today, Rajapaksa's son Namal tweeted, "We respect the decision of #lka ‘s Supreme Court, despite the fact that we have reservations regarding its interpretation...We will continue to stand alongside those calling for a parliamentary election, without which there is no real justice for the people of #lka".

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
We respect the decision of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/lka?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#lka</a> ‘s Supreme Court, despite the fact that we have reservations regarding its interpretation. 
We will continue to stand alongside those calling for a parliamentary election, without which there is no real justice for the people of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/lka?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#lka</a>
— Namal Rajapaksa (@RajapaksaNamal) <a href="https://twitter.com/RajapaksaNamal/status/1073179844437979136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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As many as 13 petitions were filed against Sirisena's November 9 order sacking the Parliament, almost 20 months before its term was to end.

Last week, Sirisena claimed that Rajapaksa had tried to bribe politicians in order to show a majority in the country's Parliament.

(With inputs from agencies)

In a crucial verdict on Thursday, the Sri Lankan Supreme Court called the sacking of the country's parliament as illegal. The seven-judge bench unanimously decided that President Maithripala Sirisena violated the country's Constitution when he dissolved parliament and called a snap election nearly two years ahead of schedule.

In a crucial verdict on Thursday, the Sri Lankan Supreme Court called the sacking of the country's parliament as illegal. The seven-judge bench unanimously decided that President Maithripala Sirisena violated the country's Constitution when he dissolved parliament and called a snap election nearly two years ahead of schedule. Sacked prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's party has said it would await the outcome of Thursday's decision before deciding whether to open impeachment proceedings. Sri Lanka is going through a major political crisis since October 26 when President Sirisena, in a controversial move, sacked Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and installed former strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa in his place. He also dissolved Parliament and called for a snap election on January 5. Sirisena sacked the 225-member Parliament when it appeared that Rajapaksa would not be able to muster the support of 113 MPs. Wickremesinghe on the other hand commands a majority. Sri Lanka's parliament had on Wednesday passed a vote of confidence in its ousted prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, as it sought his reinstatement by the president to defuse a political crisis and avoid a government shutdown. Parliament has twice in the past few weeks voted to sack Rajapaksa but he has refused to resign. After the Supreme Court verdict today, Rajapaksa's son Namal tweeted, "We respect the decision of #lka ‘s Supreme Court, despite the fact that we have reservations regarding its interpretation...We will continue to stand alongside those calling for a parliamentary election, without which there is no real justice for the people of #lka". We respect the decision of #lka ‘s Supreme Court, despite the fact that we have reservations regarding its interpretation. We will continue to stand alongside those calling for a parliamentary election, without which there is no real justice for the people of #lka — Namal Rajapaksa (@RajapaksaNamal) December 13, 2018 × As many as 13 petitions were filed against Sirisena's November 9 order sacking the Parliament, almost 20 months before its term was to end. Last week, Sirisena claimed that Rajapaksa had tried to bribe politicians in order to show a majority in the country's Parliament. (With inputs from agencies)

Sacking of Sri Lanka parliament was illegal: Supreme Court

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