‘Don’t want to get between India-China power struggle’: Sri Lanka president

Rajapaksa, who is considered pro-China, said he wanted Sri Lanka to be a 'neutral country' and work with all the countries.

Lankan court drops corruption charges against Gotabhaya, lifts travel ban on him

Gotabhaya will embark on his first foreign tour with a visit to India on November 29 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Ranil Wickremesinghe stepped down as prime minister earlier Thursday to clear the way for the president to form his government.

Leaders of the parties that backed Gotabaya during the presidential polls will be given preference in the Cabinet.

Rajapaksa, 70, defeated Sajith Premadasa, 52, by more than 13 lakh votes, the election commission announced on Sunday.

Nearly 16 million people are eligible to vote for the president from among a record 35 candidates.

Sirisena, who is stepping down after Saturday's presidential election, announced last month he was considering to grant Jayamaha a pardon.

Furusawa's comments coincided with the latest tranche of a USD 1.5 billion IMF bailout package for Sri Lanka first approved in 2016.

SL had a Senate which was abolished in 1971 before the formulation of the 1972 Constitution whereby Sri Lanka left the British sovereign.

A Federal Court judge ruled last month there was enough evidence for the toddler’s case to go to trial, though a date has not yet been set.