rajapaksa

Sri Lanka's president, Mahinda Rajapaksa, prepared to be sworn into office nearly a year after his election.

Addressing parliament in the Tamil language, Rajapaksa said the war was not waged against the Tamil people.

The danger to Mr Rajapaksa does not stem from Sinhalese voters' sympathy for foreign criticism of him.

No, Mr Rajapaksa is under threat because Mr Fonseka, by his very presence, trumps his best card, that of the conquering hero.

Mr Rajapaksa seems to be cultivating the image of an elected monarch.

Mr Rajapaksa might well have won one. But a campaign would at least have thrown the issues open to public debate and scrutiny.

Sri Lanka's president since 2005, Mahinda Rajapaksa, is evidently giving the matter some thought.

It is the general's steely grit that Mr Rajapaksa seems to fear.

Sri Lanka's parliament voted to allow the president, Mahinda Rajapaksa, to hold an unlimited number of terms instead of the current two.

Mr. Omar and about two dozen business leaders and government ministers accompanied President Rajapaksa to the U. S.

SUPERSTITIOUS man, Sri Lanka's president, Mahinda Rajapaksa, once had a popular astrologer arrested for foretelling his downfall.

Many analysts feel that if he does decide to contest the election, General Fonseka will pose a formidable challenge to Mr Rajapaksa.

But the Europeans do have one wrench on Mr Rajapaksa's government: a trade concession known as "GSP Plus" .

Oddly, parties flowing with free booze were a common feature of Mr Rajapaksa's presidential campaign.

Mr Rajapaksa also dissolved parliament, paving the way for elections, in which his party is expected to do well.

Whatever critics say, the fruits of Mr Rajapaksa's friendship with Beijing can be seen everywhere in Sri Lanka.

Others have claimed ownership of the victory for Mr Rajapaksa himself, rather than his military chiefs.

The event was broadcast live on television. But Mr Rajapaksa failed to name the day.

The port is the brainchild of Mr Rajapaksa, whose family won several seats in the district in parliamentary elections last month.

Shortly after he lost the acrimonious election, he was accused of plotting to assassinate Mr Rajapaksa and seize power.

In recent months President Mahinda Rajapaksa's regime has won a war and lost the love of many allies.

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has said that his clear victory in Tuesday's presidential elections has answered his critics.

General Fonseka predicts desperate supporters of President Rajapaksa will do exactly that.

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has called for peace and unity after his election victory last month.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is scheduled to address Parliament and the nation on Tuesday morning.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has promised to resettle all displaced civilians in their home villages by January 31st.

Mr Rajapaksa, who once acted in Sinhalese films, is starting to rely on China for diplomatic support.

Now young Mr Rajapaksa, charming, London-educated and fond of rugby, is leading a bid for Hambantota to host the 2018 Commonwealth games.

Mahinda Rajapaksa was re-elected as Sri Lanka's president; his opponent was arrested soon after.

Yet the government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa is making even moderate Tamils at home and overseas feel its victory as their defeat.

Both Mr. Rajapaksa and his former top general express confidence they will be victorious.

Mr Rajapaksa will make a national address during a special parliamentary session on Tuesday morning.

According to Mr Rajapaksa, the defence secretary, most Sri Lankans want the government "to finish this damn thing off soon" .

Mr Rajapaksa has been in office since 2005 and his current term ends in 2016.