Latest Mahinda Rajapaksa News

In this Nov. 12, 2009 file photo, Sri Lanka's Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan is seen at his office in Batticaloa, about 200 kilometers (124 miles) north east of Colombo, Sri Lanka. A Sri Lankan court on Wednesday, Jan.13, 2021 acquitted the rebel-turned-lawmaker of charges that he was involved in the killing of an ethnic Tamil legislator at the height of the island’s long civil war. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena, File)

Sri Lankan court acquits ex-rebel lawmaker of murder charges

Jan. 13, 2021 1:47 AM EST

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — A Sri Lankan court on Wednesday acquitted a rebel-turned-lawmaker of charges that he was involved in the killing of an ethnic Tamil legislator at the height of the island’s long civil war. The court in the eastern town of Batticaloa released Sivanesathurai Chandarakanthan,...

FILE - In this Monday, Jan. 12, 2009, file photo, Sri Lankans shout slogans against the government during the funeral procession of the Sunday Leader newspaper editor Lasantha Wickrematunge, in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The daughter of the slain journalist filed a complaint Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, with the United Nations Human Rights Committee over alleged government involvement in her father’s death 12 years ago. The San Francisco-based Center for Justice and Accountability filed the complaint on behalf of Ahimsa Wickrematunge, the daughter of Lasantha, who was allegedly killed by a military-linked hit squad while driving to work on Jan. 8, 2009. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe, File)

Daughter of slain Sri Lankan journalist files UN complaint

Jan. 8, 2021 9:21 AM EST

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — A daughter of a slain Sri Lankan journalist filed a complaint Friday with the United Nations Human Rights Committee over alleged government involvement in her father’s death 12 years ago. The San Francisco-based Center for Justice and Accountability filed the complaint on...

People wearing face masks walk near a banner displaying precautions against the coronavirus in downtown Seoul, South Korea, Monday, Dec. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

The Latest: S Korea reports biggest daily death toll so far

Dec. 28, 2020 9:56 PM EST

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea says 40 more coronavirus patients have died in the past 24 hours, the highest daily number since the pandemic began. Officials also reported 1,046 new confirmed coronavirus infections Tuesday, taking the total caseload to 58,725, with 859 deaths. South Korea's previous...

FILE - In this Dec. 20, 2020, file photo, a guard with a face-shield stands near a shrimp market in Samut Sakhon, south of Bangkok. Thailand, which has kept the coronavirus largely in check for most of the year, is facing a challenge from a large outbreak of the virus among migrant workers in the province close to Bangkok.(AP Photo/ Jerry Harmer, File)

Asia Today: Governor of hotspot Thai province infected

Dec. 28, 2020 9:25 AM EST

BANGKOK (AP) — The governor of a province at the center of an expanding COVID-19 outbreak in Thailand has been confirmed infected with the coronavirus after meeting with public health officials including the deputy prime minister. The meeting Sunday attended by the Samut Sakhon governor, Deputy PM Anutin...

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