Sri Lanka's powerful president, Mahinda Rajapakse, vowed to turn his battle-scarred nation into the economic "wonder" of Asia as he was sworn in Friday for a second six-year term. At a ceremonial inauguration that included a march-past by thousands of troops and traditional drummers, Rajapakse said his handling of the economy would replicate his military success in defeating Tamil Tiger rebels last year.
"When I took over five years ago the country was heading for break up, but today it is a unified nation where terrorism has been defeated," Rajapakse said in a nationally televised address. "I have full confidence that the young people of this country will make Sri Lanka the wonder of Asia," he said. Rajapakse, who turned 65 on Thursday, took the oath of office on an open-air stage overlooking the Indian Ocean in the capital Colombo under tight security. Sri Lanka's main opposition boycotted the celebrations saying that the week of festivities was a waste of public funds.
Rajapakse begins his fresh mandate in an unprecedented position of strength following a constitutional revamp two months ago that further extended his already substantial executive powers.
With his personal popularity running high, family members in key government positions, the opposition divided and his only serious political rival in prison, the president's control over the island republic seems complete. In his address, he thanked those countries who had helped during the offensive against the Tamil Tigers that ended decades of ethnic conflict. "We worked with many nations in agreement and friendship for national security," Rajapakse said. "We now step into the development era.
Comments
Comments are closed.