Sri Lankan president sworn in for second term

Fri, 19 Nov 2010

Colombo - Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa was sworn in for a second term Friday, saying his main focus was development work after the end of the civil war against ethnic Tamil rebels.

"During the last era, we worked with many nations in agreement and friendship for national security," Rajapaksa said, stressing his country's policy of non-alignment. "We now step into the development era. We extend our hand of friendship to those who assist us in this endeavour."

Rajapaksa has been accused of distancing himself from Western countries and maintaining closer links with China, India, Iran and Pakistan.

Many Western countries have demanded an independent inquiry of alleged human rights abuses during the conflict with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, which ended last year when the government defeated the separatist rebels. The government has refused to allow the investigation.

"We united this country, achieving a victory over terrorism that had global echoes," Rajapaksa said at the inauguration, which took place at the Presidential Secretariat before Chief Justice Ashoka de Silva. "Today, on November 19, I take over this country again with determination, strength and courage to raise my motherland to a position of greatness in the world."

"Our task is to ensure lasting national unity and sustainable, permanent peace in our motherland," he said.

Rajapaksa opted for early elections in January, two years before his term was due to end, and received 57.81 per cent of the votes. He then delayed being sworn in for his second term by nine months, enabling him to gain the maximum period in power.

The event was attended by local and foreign dignitaries, including Mohamed Nasheed, president of the Maldives, and Jigme Y Thinley, Bhutan's premier.

His inauguration was also marked with a series of religious and other celebrations throughout the country.

He was due to carry out a cabinet reshuffle Monday, followed by the presentation of the budget for next year.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/news/354266,lankan-president-sworn-term.html.