Sri Lanka

3 Rajapaksas sworn into new Sri Lanka Cabinet after election

Aug. 12, 2020 4:53 AM EDT

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lanka’s president swore into office a new Cabinet on Wednesday that includes two of his brothers and a nephew, after a landslide election victory last week. The 26 Cabinet members include Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, who also holds the finance, urban development...

Women wearing face masks to help protect against the coronavirus walks by an advertising board displaying an American flag and Statue of Liberty on a street in Beijing, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020. China's biggest recent outbreak of coronavirus has grown slightly. Hundreds people have developed COVID-19 in the far northwestern region of Xinjiang, with more than dozens of new cases reported Thursday in its capital and largest city, Urumqi. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

The Latest: Confirmed coronavirus cases reach 20 million

Aug. 10, 2020 9:53 PM EDT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The confirmed number of coronavirus cases in the world has reached 20 million. That’s according to the tally kept by Johns Hopkins University. Health officials believe the actual number is much higher, given testing limitations and the fact that as many as 40% of all those who...

Teacher Inggit Andini, wearing a face shield as a precaution against the coronavirus outbreak, teaches at a makeshift class at her home in Tangerang, Indonesia, Monday, Aug. 10, 2020. Andini offered free extra lessons for students who lack access to the internet as the school where she works at remain closed and switched to online learning due to the outbreak. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)

Asia Today: Melbourne deaths rise at aged-care facilities

Aug. 10, 2020 12:51 PM EDT

SYDNEY (AP) — Australia has reported the fewest number of new daily cases in its virus hotspot, Melbourne, since last month. But it also reported the nation’s highest daily death total since the virus outbreak began. The state of Victoria reported 322 new infections and 19 new deaths on Monday,...

Sri Lanka’s former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, waits to be sworn in as the prime minister at Kelaniya Royal Buddhist temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Rajapaksa sworn in as PM in Sri Lanka, cementing family rule

Aug. 9, 2020 2:44 AM EDT

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lanka’s former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was sworn in as the prime minister for the fourth time Sunday after his party secured a landslide victory in parliamentary elections that cemented his family's hold on power. Rajapaksa took oath before his younger brother,...

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa greets supporters following his election victory in the general election at his residence in Tangalle, Sri Lanka, Friday, Aug. 7, 2020. The country's powerful Rajapaksa brothers secured a landslide victory in the parliamentary election, giving them nearly the two-thirds majority of seats required to make constitutional changes, according to results released Friday. Rajapaksa is likely to be sworn in the same position by his younger brother, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, after the vote that could strengthen dynastic rule in the Indian Ocean island nation. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Rajapaksa brothers win by landslide in Sri Lanka's election

Aug. 7, 2020 3:31 AM EDT

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lanka’s powerful Rajapaksa brothers secured a landslide victory in the parliamentary election, giving them nearly the two-thirds majority of seats required to make constitutional changes, according to results released Friday. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa is likely...

Results show Sri Lanka’s powerful Rajapaksa brothers secured a landslide victory in this week's Parliamentary election

Aug. 6, 2020 8:49 PM EDT

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Results show Sri Lanka’s powerful Rajapaksa brothers secured a landslide victory in this week's Parliamentary election.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, third right, his wife Shiranthi, second right, and family members arrive to cast their votes in their home village Madamulana, Sri Lanka, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020. Sri Lankans started voting Wednesday to elect a new Parliament that is expected to give strong support to the powerful and popular Rajapaksa brothers. (AP Photo/Pradeep Pathirana)

Sri Lanka parliamentary election expected to back Rajapaksas

Aug. 5, 2020 11:52 AM EDT

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lankans voted Wednesday to elect a new Parliament that is expected to give strong support to the powerful and popular Rajapaksa brothers. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was elected last November after projecting himself as the only leader who could secure the country after the...

A Sri Lankan polling officer carries election material to dispatch them to polling centers ahead of the parliamentary elections in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. Sri Lankans are voting in parliamentary elections Wednesday that are expected to strengthen President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's grip on power. Parts of the party are also calling for a two-thirds majority in Parliament so it can amend the constitution to restore presidential powers curbed by a 2015 constitutional change. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

A glance at Sri Lanka and its parliamentary elections

Aug. 4, 2020 8:26 PM EDT

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lankans vote in parliamentary elections Wednesday that are expected to strengthen President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's grip on power. His party has campaigned for a strong government that will enable Rajapaksa to fulfill his presidential election pledges. Parts of the party are...

FILE - In this Aug. 11, 2019, file photo, Mahinda Rajapaksa, left, and his brother Gotabaya Rajapaksa wave to supporters during a party convention held to announce the presidential candidacy in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka’s powerful, popular Rajapaksa brothers are likely to get strong support in parliamentary elections Wednesday that could add to their family political dynasty and their ability to amend the constitution. The prospect of those changes raise fears of weakening government institutions and the rule of law. The results of the vote could also lead to sibling rivalry, charting the country into more confusion, analysts say.. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena, File)

Rajapaksa brothers to get strong support in Sri Lanka polls

Aug. 3, 2020 8:26 PM EDT

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lanka’s powerful, popular Rajapaksa brothers are likely to get strong support in parliamentary elections Wednesday that could add to their family political dynasty and their ability to amend the constitution – a prospect raising fears of weakening government...

People riding the subway wear face masks to protect against the spread of the coronavirus in Taipei, Taiwan, Thursday, July 30, 2020. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)

Asia Today: 723 cases in Australia, closures in Vietnam

Jul. 30, 2020 12:15 PM EDT

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australia’s coronavirus hot spot, Victoria state, will make masks compulsory statewide after reporting a record 723 new cases on Thursday. Masks have been mandatory in the state capital, Melbourne, and a neighboring semi-rural district for the past week. Victoria Premier...

Latest Sri Lanka News