The moves — announced separately — are aimed at cooling widespread social tensions and bringing in liquidity to fight a crippling economic crisis that has triggered unprecedented hardship in the nation of 22 million people.
Gotabaya Rajapaksa has revoked orders giving him sweeping authority to act in the interests of public order, including suspending any laws, authorising detentions and seizing property.
The largest opposition political party, the United People’s Force, or SJB, immediately rejected the president's proposal of a unity government, demanding his resignation.
The government first banned burials of those who died from Covid-19 in April over concerns — which experts said were baseless — by influential Buddhist monks that the practice could contaminate groundwater and spread the virus.
Main Tamil political party protests "Heroes' Day" ceremony ban, accusing Sri Lanka of discrimination.
With a large majority, the parliament approved a constitutional amendment that will concentrate powers in the president and allow duel citizens to hold political office, which could strengthen President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's familial political clout.
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa submitted a proposal that legislates against the slaughter of cattle across the island nation – a decision that could inflame ethno-religious tensions.
Reviving a stagnant economy and managing the country’s relations with major powers will be important priorities for the new Rajapaksa government.
Mahinda Rajapaksa's Sri Lanka People’s Front won 145 seats in the 225-member parliament, securing nearly the two-thirds majority required to make constitutional changes that could strengthen dynastic rule in the country.
Close to 70 percent of eligible Sri Lankans voted in Wednesday's election to elect a 225-member parliament, shrugging off coronavirus fears.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s dream for absolute power comes within reach.
The April 21 Easter Sunday bombers had targeted three churches and three luxury hotels, killing at least 279 people and wounded 593 last year.
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