Mahinda Rajapaksa

Why is a senior Sri Lankan police officer seeking asylum in Switzerland?

The Crime Investigation Department’s Nishantha Silva slipped out of the country with his family days after Gotabaya Rajapaksa was sworn in as the new president.

Sri Lanka President Gotabaya swears in brother Mahinda as new PM

Newly-elected President Gotabaya Rajapaksa picks his elder brother Mahinda Rajapaksa, a former president, to be the interim prime minister.

Will Sri Lanka’s new president heal the country or open old wounds?

Gotabaya Rajapaksa spearheaded the military operation that ended his country's years-long insurgency but alienated minorities along the way.

Sri Lanka's new president picks brother as Prime Minister

Newly elected President Gotabaya Rajapaksa can now appoint a caretaker government, dissolve Parliament next March and force new elections, or wait until next August when Parliament’s term ends.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa sworn in as Sri Lanka’s new president

Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya administered the oath of office to Rajapaksa at the ancient Ruwanweli Seya Buddhist temple in northcentral Sri Lanka.

Former Sri Lankan defence chief Rajapaksa wins presidential vote

Gotabaya Rajapaksa, a retired lieutenant colonel, nicknamed the "Terminator" by his own family, won 53-54 percent of the vote as his main rival Sajith Premadasa of the ruling party conceded the race.

Sri Lankans vote for a new president in tense election

Former strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa's family is eyeing a comeback after a decade in power remembered by supporters for crushing the Tamil militants. His main opponent Sajith Premadasa is vowing security and development in the island nation.

Who’s who in Sri Lanka’s presidential election

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena will not be seeking a second term, paving the way for a record 35 candidates competing for the top job.

What will Sri Lankans be voting on in this election?

Sri Lanka goes to the polls on Saturday, and a minority vote could decide who will eventually rule the tiny island country.

Sri Lankan president leaves political arena with promises he failed to keep

Maithripala Sirisena has decided not to seek reelection next month. Meanwhile, the 35 candidates for the presidency are the most ever in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka to hold presidential vote on November 16

Sluggish economic growth, national security, endemic corruption and deep ethnic and religious divisions in the South Asian nation will be key issues at the upcoming polls.

Sri Lanka president sacks intelligence chief over Easter attacks probe

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena summoned an emergency meeting of his cabinet on Friday night to oppose the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) probing the April 21 attacks that killed 258 people and wounded nearly 500.