sri lanka. families like the vitter thing has tried not. enough amanda's al-jazeera colombo. let's now get the thoughts of our guests joining us in. sri lanka. dr kahana for musher one can ambassador to the united nations in colombo get one going to locate research oxford university and to london vindhya. of the university college london a warm welcome to you all miss a pulitzer how crucial of these elections why should it be considered a turning point in sri lankan history i think it's a very important election. you know what is happening in this country. every. history between the president and prime minister the country not forward at all and then having eliminated terror it's 2009 it's already mentioned we had one of the worst terrorist attacks. on easter sunday in 2090. 8 you're not economy no. one of the all of them so it's very very important. that these elections will produce. that really big free country out there all the more as it gets orderly and then the majority of the people expec

sri lanka. families like the vitter thing has tried not. enough and and al-jazeera colombo. let's not get a false of our guests joining us in. sri lanka. dr kahana for musher one can ambassador to the united nations in colombo get one going to locate research oxford university and to london bindiya. of the university college london a warm welcome to you all miss a pulitzer how crucial of these elections why should it be considered a turning point in sri lankan history i think it's a very important election. you know what is happening in this country over the last 5 years every. this journey between the president and prime minister the country not move forward at all and then having eliminated terror it's 2009 it's already mentioned we had one of the worst terrorist attacks. on easter sunday in 2098 you're not economy no. wonder people. so it's very very important. that these elections produce. that real big free country out of all the morass it's all in and then a majority of the people expect t

sri lanka dr kahana former sri lanka to the united nations in colombo. research oxford university and the london vindhya. of the university college london a warm welcome to you all. missa polluter how crucial of these elections why should it be considered a turning point in sri lankan history i think it's a very important election. you know what is happening in this country over the last 5 years every total destroying between the president and the prime minister the country not forward at all and then having eliminated terror it's 2009 already. we had one of the worst terrorist attacks. on easter sunday in 2098 you're not economy no. one of the all 'd. so it's very very important. that these elections produce. that real big free country out all the more as it gets orderly and then the majority of the people expect that expect. ministration that taking over. after tomorrow to be capable able to eat me piece multiple check it's very important ok and i believe that it is so important that the course we're going towards about the regional implications of the

sri lanka. dr kahana for musher one can ambassador to the united nations in colombo get one going to locate research oxford university and to london bindiya. of the university college london a warm welcome to you all miss a pulitzer how crucial of these elections why should it be considered a turning point in sri lankan history i think it's a very important election. you know what is happening in this country with a lot. every. history between the president and prime minister the country not forward at all and then having eliminated terrorism and then i already mentioned we had one of the worst terrorist attacks. on easter sunday in 2098 you're not economy no. one of the all 'd of them so it's very very important. that these elections produce. that really big free country out there all the more as it gets orderly and then the majority of the people expect that expect. ministration that taking over. after tomorrow to be capable able to eat me piece multiple check it's very important ok and i beli

politically sri lanka has been caught on several fronts, india, china, what is sri lanka looking for in these relationships? so, sri lanka, because of its important location with the indian ocean has seen over location with the indian ocean has seen over the last two years china and india, and other major powers including the us and japan try to gauge the country and increase their cooperation. sri lanka is looking to increase their cooperation and gain in terms of its own infrastructure development needs, economic needs within the country, and therefore engaging widely with each of the major powers that are also seeking to gain influence in sri lanka. therefore we have seen, for example, china india and the us all engage with sri lanka and provide assistance during the pandemic, and china has provided over 100,000 masks for sri lanka for the safe conduct of these elections. research associate for the international... will be across the result of that election and bring you all of the news as it develops here on bbc news. we wa nt we want to this north and south east divide on tuesda

but what does that mean for democracy in general in sri lanka i mean effectively should not that doesn't really have a very powerful opposition hours into it. well if you look at the opposition i think the opposition is in in for the really hard regrouping if this really i'm going to opposition has been done we needed by one count right here with them saying that since $994.00 that is a long time and this time around he lost this seat so the opposition and i'm in opposition parties will probably have to regroup and then think about mounting. possible challenge that's going to take some time i'm on top of really very leave it there for the time being but thank you so much for joining us. thank you. and that's it for today be sure to check out other stories on beat up the dot. on facebook and believe in i would some other images also from sri lanka where one day before the election that is so loud that i heard our 1st of all was said approach of this time without spectators because of the us from there right thank you for watching and have a good weekend we'll see you back on monday. comba

much for that me now from london is live there in colombo sri lanka. in other world news anger has boiled over on the streets of beirut as residents direct blame for tuesday's deadly port explosion at lebanon's leaders protesters took to the streets chanting revolution and resign as french president in munyon my call visited the capital and called for an international investigation into the blast that killed 149 people 16 employees of be a sport have been detained by protesters want a complete overhaul of lebanon's political elite tensions had been running high before the disaster which political leaders with political leaders accused of corruption and mismanagement and the country pushed to the brink of economic collapse a french president toward neighborhoods devastated by the chemical explosion is backing calls for a new political order. what i know is that the people of lebanon have electricity shut down every day and it's not working the provision of imports and exports has collapsed because of the financial system so there are it's is for the sho

but what does that mean for democracy in general in sri lanka i mean effectively should not that doesn't really have a very powerful opposition or isn't it. well if you look at the opposition i think the opposition is in in for the really hard regrouping if this really i'm going opposition has been done here did by one count right here that i'm saying that since $994.00 that is a long time and this time around he lost this seat so the opposition and them in opposition parties will probably have to regroup and then think about mounting. possible challenge that's going to take some time a month or whatever leave their leave it there for the time being but thank you so much for joining us. thank you. and that's it for today be sure to check out other stories on beat up the dot com post on facebook and believe in know what some other images also from sri lanka where one day before the election. i had our 1st of all was celebrated this time. because of the. thank you for watching and have a good weekend with you back on monday of are. full of surprises. some tips in the footsteps of the great

lanka sort of limiting sri lanka's coronavirus deaths to 11 limiting the spread so that's very much at the top of people's minds and the we and the efficiency which the current government led by present gautami rajapaksa has managed things they contrast this fully a lot with the shambles we had just over a year ago when this country had one of the biggest bomb attacks in this country on easter sunday and there was a lot of uncertainty questions of national security so the is a p.p. government of the rajapakse is made strides in terms of proving and winning over the confidence of the public that they are doing is that they would be the best choice to sort of manage the lankan. sort of issues at the moment which the face coupled with that is a dismal performance of the previous government set up as the good governance government 5 you will sort of recall that they were the government that displaced in the rajapaksa in 2015 sweeping the boards and bringing a shock sort of defeat to rajapaksa but just within one term they have absolutely squandered that good will people have lost confid

but what does that mean for democracy in general in sri lanka i mean effectively should not that doesn't really have a very powerful opposition hours into it. well if you look at the opposition i think the opposition is in in for the really hard regrouping if this really i'm going to opposition has been done we needed by one count right here i'm saying that since $994.00 that is a long time and this time around he lost this seat so the opposition and the main opposition parties will probably have to regroup and then think about mounting. possible challenge that's going to take some time and on top of that are relieved even there for the time being but thank you so much for joining us. thank you. and that's it for today be sure to check out other stories on beat up the dot com. on facebook i'm straight to believe in i would some other images also from sri lanka where one day before the election. that i heard i 1st of all was said approach of this time without specter because of the us from there right thank you for watching and have a good weekend with you back on monday. combating the co

lanka and go to the pool on windy sri lanka people's party led by the rajapaksa brothers is expected to when. president hu tabin prime minister my in the family will protect war heroes who brought a queue ssion ensure national security subcommittee and bring prosperity. the president's party must come to power to take this program forward we require a 2 thirds majority for this there are amendments needed to the constitution or else we need to change the constitution presidential powers were weakened and those of the parliament strengthened under an amendment passed by m.p.'s in 2015 and only see any reversal would be detrimental as far as depok was is concerned if that arch boxes get close enough all the set will be out of the window and therefore you will have a strong authoritarian government. but this doesn't seem to want emotion longer than many rajapaksa appear the best option given their handling of the corona virus outbreak and the negative perception of the previous government including security failures that led to one of the worst bombing in sri lanka on easter sunday 29th

sri lanka's rajapaksa brothers win a landslide victory in palm entry elections that could see them sealed a political dynasty. you're watching al-jazeera live from doha with me fully back to people also ahead protests in lebanon all very huge explosion that killed at least 149 people as french president emmanuel mccord calls for a new political system saudi arabia's crown prince is being sued by a former intelligence officer he says mohammed bin solomon sent a hit squad to canada to kill him and planes that government corruption has marred south africa's coronavirus responds. to. thank you very much for joining us the governing party of sri lanka's president go to by our rajapaksa has won a landslide victory in parliamentary elections and along with your high security 2 thirds majority giving the president the power to enact sweeping changes to the constitution the sri lanka people strident is led by the rajapaksa brothers go to by and my hand will serve as president and prime minister the result now looks certain to strengthen their dynastic rule but the brothers have been polarizing fig

he's promising a more inclusive sri lanka. but the opposition is divided, splitting anti—rajapa ksa votes. some are worried that a two—thirds majority in the current election could lead to an authoritarian rule. this comes at a time where we have seen increasing attacks on civil society, on media, on lawyers. so, the space for dissent is shrinking. and the question is whether it will shrink further post—elections? and the signs so far are that it is likely to happen that way. sri lanka's economy has been battered by the covid—19 crisis. many sri lankans feel only a strong government will be able to revive the economy. anbarasan ethirajan, bbc news. greece has always been a popular summer holiday spot for tourists around the world. and this year it's allowing recreational diving at archaeological sites for the first time. ishleen kaur takes a look. ancient greek history? check. scuba—diving? check. social distancing? check. if these are the things on your to—do list this summer, this archaeological wonder is open to

he's promising a more inclusive sri lanka. but the opposition is divided, splitting anti—rajapa ksa votes. some are worried that a two—thirds majority in the current election could lead to an authoritarian rule. this comes at a time where we have seen increasing attacks on civil society, on media, on lawyers. so, the space for dissent is shrinking. and the question is whether it will shrink further post—elections? and the signs so far are that it is likely to happen that way. sri lanka's economy has been battered by the covid—19 crisis. many sri lankans feel only a strong government will be able to revive the economy. anbarasan ethirajan, bbc news. in cuba, the collapse in tourism from covid—19 and tighter us sanctions mean the government's running out of hard currency. so it's allowing more shops to sell goods in us dollars. here's will grant. lining up to spend their hard earned dollars. many had been in the tightly—controlled queues from before dawn, face masks on and sheltering from cuba's sun and rain. we were

the governing party in sri lanka has won a landslide victory in parliamentary elections the sri lanka people's front is led by the rajapaksa brothers got a bar of mahinda who served as president and prime minister. david 1000 infections of purse 2000000 in india with more than 62000 cases reported in the last 24 hours it has the most highest number of infections after the us and herself. china has accused the us of political manipulation to the us president issued an executive order banning business with 2 tech giants it blocks any transaction with the parent company of social media to talk and the owner of messenger we chat the sweeping restrictions come into effect in 45 days but talkers threaten legal action trump says the chinese are gathering users data for beijing and pose a threat to u.s. national security may have aren't you the u.s. taking national security as an excuse frequently abuses national power and unreasonably suppresses companies of other countries this is an outright hedge a monic act china is firmly opposed to it jim anderson is the chief executive of social flow

he's promising a more inclusive sri lanka. but the opposition is divided, splitting anti—rajapa ksa votes. some are worried that a two—thirds majority in the current election could lead to an authoritarian rule. this comes at a time where we have seen increasing attacks on civil society, on media, on lawyers. so, the space for dissent is shrinking. and the question is whether it will shrink further post—elections? and the signs so far are that it is likely to happen that way. sri lanka's economy has been battered by the covid—19 crisis. many sri lankans feel only a strong government will be able to revive the economy. anbarasan ethirajan, bbc news. now, greece has always been a popular summer holiday spot for tourists around the world. and this year, it's allowing recreational diving at archaeological sites for the first time. ishleen kaur takes a look. ancient greek history? check. scuba—diving? check. social distancing? check. if these are the things on your to—do list this summer, this archaeological wonder is o

he's promising a more inclusive sri lanka. but the opposition is divided, splitting anti—rajapa ksa votes. some are worried that a two—thirds majority in the current election could lead to an authoritarian rule. this comes at a time where we have seen increasing attacks on civil society, on media, on lawyers. so, the space for dissent is shrinking. and the question is whether it will shrink further post—elections? and the signs so far are that it is likely to happen that way. sri lanka's economy has been battered by the covid—19 crisis. many sri lankans feel only a strong government will be able to revive the economy. anbarasan ethirajan, bbc news. greece has always been a popular summer holiday spot for tourists around the world. but this year it is making a splash by permitting recreational diving at archaeological sites for the first time. ancient greek history? check. scuba—diving, ancient greek history? check. scu ba—diving, check. ancient greek history? check. scuba—diving, check. social distancing? check.

lanka and go to the polls on windy sri lanka people's party led by the rajapaksa brothers is expected to win. president hu top then prime minister mind sadly will protect war heroes who brought acute ensure national security subcommittee and bring prosperity. the president's party must come to power to take this program forward we require a 2 thirds majority for this amendments needed to the constitution or else we need to change the constitution the presidential powers were weakened and those of the parliament strengthened under an amendment passed by m.p.'s in 2015 and only see any reversal would be detrimental as far as departure if that arch boxes get close enough all day so it will be out of the window and therefore you will have a strong authoritarian government. but this doesn't seem to want emotion lancken for many the rajapaksa appear the best option given their handling of the corona virus outbreak and the negative perception of the previous government including security failures that led to one of the worst bombing in sri lanka on easter sunday 2019 the main opposition unit

lanka has won a landslide victory in parliamentary elections the sri lanka people's front is led by the rajapaksa brothers got a buyer of mahinda who served as prime minister and president 16 poured visuals have been detained in beirut as frustration grows over the lebanese government's response to the explosion there were protests into the night on thursday uncovered 19 factions across cross to believe that india with more than 62000 cases reported in the last 24 hours is the 3rd nation after the u.s. and brazil to reach that milestone. the saudi crown prince is being sued her cuse of sending a group of hit men to canada in a failed attempt to kill one of his former top intelligence officials the alleged target aside but he filed a lawsuit in the u.s. media are reporting that interpol rejected a request from riyadh to extradite as it was politically motivated what kind of reports. crown prince mohammed bin solomon has been feted in the white house but now in papers before a washington d.c. court he's alleged to have ordered death squads to torture and assessed an 8 opponents the ca

he's promising a more inclusive sri lanka. but the opposition is divided, splitting anti—rajapa ksa votes. some are worried that a two—thirds majority in the current election could lead to an authoritarian rule. this comes at a time where we have seen increasing attacks on civil society, on media, on lawyers. so, the space for dissent is shrinking. and the question is whether it will shrink further post—elections? and the signs so far are that it is likely to happen that way. sri lanka's economy has been battered by the covid—19 crisis. many sri lankans feel only a strong government will be able to revive the economy. anbarasan ethirajan, bbc news. in sport, arsenal have won the fa cup finalfor a record 14th time, beating chelsea 2—1 at wembley. arsenal's captain pierre—emerick aubameyang, who scored both his team's goals, lifted the trophy in front of a stadium of 90,000 empty seats, because of coronavirus restrictions. victory secured arsenal's place in the europa league next season. the team's manager mikel arte

early results from sri lanka's parliamentary election suggest a big lead for the governing party the sri lanka people's front is led by the larger parts of brothers who serve as president and prime minister the party looks like going to consolidate its power but it needs a 2 thirds majority to carry or promised constitutional changes this is being south asia's 1st major votes joining the pandemic middle fernandas as this update from colombo. and that's another set of results leaving the official counting center here in the colombo district one of 4 every single result that's tabulated is being sent obviously to the election authorities the hardcopy under strict security escort now most of the work over the last 10 to 12 hours has been completed to tabulate all the votes here in the colombo district and this exercise is being replicated in the $22.00 districts throughout sri lanka so basically all the votes come in to centralize counting centers in the district they are tabulated and then officially communicated to the election authorities who basically check them the rubber stamp the

lanka has won a landslide victory in parliamentary elections the sri lanka people's front is led by the rajapaksa brothers go to by and mahindra who serve as president and prime minister. unemployment in the us dropped from 11 point one percent in june to 10 point 2 percent in july millions of people are still without jobs because of the coronavirus pandemic and a stalemate in congress is holding up benefits republicans and democrats were at odds over a new emergency package after federal payments to keep people float expired covered 19 infractions of past 2000000 in india with more than 62000 cases reported in the past 24 hours it has the 3rd highest number of infections after the u.s. and brazil hundreds of afghan leaders scholars and elders are meeting in kabul to negotiate a peace deal with the taliban the loya jirgah talks are the last hurdle to the start of negotiations between the afghan government and the taliban the main issue is whether the government should meet the arms groups demands and release 400 prisoners the u.s. secretary of state mike pompei o a search in support

the governing party in sri lanka has won a landslide victory in parliamentary elections the sri lanka people's front is led by the rajapaksa brothers go to by and by hinder who serve as president and prime minister. 1000 infractions of past 2000000 in india with more than 62000 cases reported in the past 24 hours and has the 1st highest number of infections after the u.s. and brazil. hundreds of afghan leaders scholars and elders are meeting in kabul today to negotiate a peace deal with the taliban it's the loya jirga the loya jirga talks are the last hurdle to the start of negotiations between the afghan government and the taliban the main issue is whether the government should meet the armed groups demand to release 400 prisoners the u.s. secretary of state might pompei o is urging support for the move saying it will be an important step towards peace let's bring in most hardcore him from kabul he's the founding member of a think tank the afghanistan affairs units which tackle him what are the chances that these $400.00 taliban fighters will be released. well a very good chances exp

lanka and go to the polls on windy sri lanka people's party led by the rajapaksa brothers is expected to win. president then prime minister mind sandy would protect more. ensure national security. and bring prosperity. the president's party must come to power to take this program forward we require a 2 thirds majority for this amendment is needed to the constitution or else we need to change the constitution presidential powers were weakened and those of the parliament strengthened under an amendment passed by m.p.'s in 2015 and only see any reversal would be detrimental as far as depok wishes go if that arch boxes get close enough. to say it will be out of the window and therefore you will have a strong authoritarian government but this doesn't seem to want emotion longer than for many rajapaksa appear the best option given their handling of the corona virus outbreak and the negative perceptions of the previous government including security failures that led to one of the worst bombing in sri lanka on easter sunday 2019 the main opposition united national party has been ripped apart

bowl still have his own al-jazeera a former president in sri lanka becomes prime minister again point many fear this could lead to proceedings. 100 south africa where the pressure is on to sort what's being described as the countries of a pandemic those stories too after the break. but . i know that plenty of cloud across much of indonesia also some rain very much in the forecast you can see where the massive cloud is across areas to the west over the philippines and we're watching a couple of disturbances one has become a tropical depression is not she to the north of the philippines but what it's doing is dragging all of this rain out towards the north that is i will say most of the heaviest downpours we can see also fairly widespread across much of cambodia and then it's too cheesy that rain continue crossed. philippines but also becoming rather more widespread across borneo again and also some heavy downpours in and around western java such a cause so certainly having a very wet day on it chews day i mean all across into australia and new zealand has some rain all the way to new z

i'm british welcome to the dr news asia glad you could join us we begin in sri lanka where did less than 24 was some 16200000 eligible voters will have a chance to elect a new parliament the vote which was delayed twice due to the cone of out to spend them it is seen as a test for straight on cuz constitutional democracy if the party of president. wins a majority in the new parliament it would allow it to bring changes to the constitution changes that would give greater powers to his office and the frontrunner in the polls is the president's own brother. campaigning in times of covert 19 was kept to a minimum in sri lanka but that did not dampen the excitement of my hinder rajapaksa supporters rajapaksa the current prime minister is the favorite in the vote he's also the brother of the president whose work he highly praised. but. i think it we don't have to explain what would have happened if president rajapaksa had not let the battle against the covert pandemic being. my handle rajapaksa was appointed prime minister only days after his younger brother but up bya became president last no

lanka and go to the polls on windy sri lanka people's party led by the rajapaksa brothers is expected to win. president hu top then prime minister my in the family will protect war heroes who brought a queue ssion ensure national security subcommittee and bring prosperity. to any of the president's party must come to power to take this program forward we require a 2 thirds majority for this there are amendments needed to the constitution or else we need to change the constitution the presidential powers were weakened and those of the parliament strengthened under an amendment passed by m.p.'s in 2015 and only see any reversal would be detrimental as far as depok was is concerned if that arch boxes get close enough all the set will be out of the window. and therefore you will have a strong authoritarian government but this doesn't seem to want emotion longer than many rajapaksa appear the best option given their handling of the coronavirus outbreak and the negative perceptions of the previous government including security failures that led to one of the worst bombing in sri lanka on ea

lanka's twice delayed parliamentary election the it's sri lanka people's friends party led by the rajapaksa brothers who serve as both president and prime minister are expected to win a majority. survivors of the world's 1st atomic bomb have been marking 75 years since it was dropped on hiroshima about 140000 people were killed after u.s. forces attacked japan in the final stages of world war 2 rob mcbride reports. a poignant commemoration at the moment 75 years ago when the world entered the atomic age and the whole city was destroyed. with the numbers of the so-called hit the original survivors of the attack declining each year this is likely to be the last major round of verse or they will attend in large numbers special precautions in place to protect them from the coronavirus that hiroshima is mare referred to as a new threat facing the world accompanied by a worrying increase in nationalism. we must never allow this painful pass to repeat he felt that if you've also cited most of rejects self-centered nationalism and unite against all threats. i take 15 in the morning local time a sin

the governing party in sri lanka has won a landslide victory in parliamentary elections the sri lanka people's front is led by the rajapaksa brothers got a bye and mahinda who sat as president and prime minister a japanese carrier that ran aground off the coast of malicious late last month has started leaking oil the panama flag has about $4000.00 tons of oil on board which could threaten valuable coral reefs. well those are the headlines i will have another news update for you here on al-jazeera. to stay with us. to cope with our growing population we've tripled our exploitation of natural resources in just 40 years as a result of the fast expansion of mining industrial scale farming fishing and other human activities natural ecosystems have lost nearly half the area and $1000000.00 plant and animal species a facing extinction without the ecological networks which regulate our planet.

the reason, a majority in sri lanka's new parliament. on thursday, well wishard cute to see incumbent president gotabaya rajapaksa, who secured the highest number of votes. similar scenes at the house of another top performer for the governing sri lanka's front party. now we have a two thirds majority in the parliament. can be developed within a very short period. correspondent: this family says the strong support for prime minister rajapaksa and his brother, who is president, just five years after they were voted out, is a message from the people that -- areerhaps the reforms [indiscernible] which is also the message that has been sent since the election. that has been the clear message. now what the people are moreding is economic development. correspondent: he predicts the new government will increase the president's powers, get rid of independent institutions, and an amendment on power sharing in the north and east. when they walk into the parliament chamber on august 20, seating arrangements will have changed to accommodate one of t

lanka and go to the polls on windy sri lanka people's party led by the rajapaksa brothers is expected to win. president hu tabin prime minister mind sadly will protect war heroes who brought a queue ssion ensure national security subcommittee and bring prosperity un to. the president's party must come to power to take this program forward we require a 2 thirds majority for this there are amendments needed to the constitution or else we need to change the constitution presidential powers were weakened and those of the parliament strengthened under an amendment passed by m.p.'s in 2015 and only see any reversal would be detrimental as far as democracy is concerned if that arch boxes get close enough all the set will be out of the window and therefore you will have a strong authoritarian government. but this doesn't seem to want emotion longer than for many the rajapaksa appears the best option given their handling of the coronavirus outbreak and the negative perception of the previous government including security failures that led to one of the worst bombing in sri lanka on easter sund

now to south asia and the final days of the civil war in sri lanka. for more than two decades, the army had fought the tamil tiger rebels. in 2009, the government forces began to close in on them. thousands of civilians were trapped alongside rebel fighters, beyond the reach ofjournalists, aid workers and independent witnesses. former united nations official gordon vice remembers it as one of the worst situations he'd ever encountered. sri lanka's government says it is close to winning the island's civil war after 25 years. the fighting has been intense and bloody. in a 25—year civil war, there had been many terrible episodes. this final few months of the war was by far the most bitter and the most vicious. 250,000 people caught in the middle, hungry, frightened, tired. many of them on the run many of them on many of them on the run from fighting for up to a year. some of them had been displaced 10 or 15 times. i had worked in a number of conflict zones before and since the war in sri lanka but the sri lankan experience was unique. the conflict on t

celebrations in the rajapaksa heartland the reason a 2 thirds majority in sri lanka's new parliament on thursday will resist queued to see incumbent prime minister mind the ranch to secure the highest number for financial votes. similar scenes at the house of riyadh middle son a theater seeker another top performer for the governing sri lanka people's front party. would lead us into the unknown also a bit and then we have 2 thirds majority in the parliament and i didn't know the country can be developed in a very short period to see all what is the business of plea and also the theatre in it in both these know within the government this analyst says the strong support for prime minister rajapaksa and his brother who's president just 5 years after they voted out is the message from the people that we're prepared to offer. reforms and perhaps those reforms actually retarding guards which is also the main message the president has sent since his election so back has been i think the clear message is. what the people are demanding use unless of course to. reform and more of economic deve

the counting of votes is underway in sri lanka after wednesday's parliamentary election turnout was down but polling wrapped up without any major incidents of violence that of space previous elections we now fernandez reports from colombo. pulled open early on wednesday to choose sri lanka as members of parliament when the coronavirus pandemic made the national election commission job extremely difficult the 1st. and lawyers. for the election both each all aboard. employed at least that was probably kill me. this is more than being. roy's our house. says it was important to ensure the health of tens of thousands of state workers police military and 16000000 voters the election was postponed twice because of health concerns observers see when the vote was one of the most peaceful in recent years and that is an achievement. the preference voting system usually causes much rivalry between candidates from the same party but new restrictions on campaigning minimize can transition election day proceedings are ok but some undistorted pending issues related to 3 the lection campaign. during the

years after the oversaw the defeat of the tamil tigers in sri lanka civil rule a former member of the national human rights commission voiced these concerns we also see a rise in things in a buddhist nationalism and it seems like that is what is taking hold and and shaping the policy of the country so this means that minority thing particularly feel frightened because if you are critical of the government you can be called a traitor you can be called a terrorist you can be arrested merely for expressing an opinion balancing the multiple challenges facing she lanka will not be easy for the new government but for the majority of people here the rajapaksa led government is the best option for now and then there's. film and you can find a much more on our website including when to the more details on the aftermath of that explosion in a port in beirut on al jazeera dot com. this is all to 0 these are the top stories the u.s. state department has spoken out in support of a former top saudi intelligence agent who was allegedly targeted and a fall assassination attempt it's described as sort

governing party has recorded an overwhelming victory with nearly 60 percent of the vote the sri lanka people's front is that by got the buyout and mahinda rajapaksa who served as president. and prime minister along with the allies it has secured a 2 thirds majority giving the president the power to make sweeping changes to the constitution by a saltiest set of on a mother who is an executive director at the think tank the center for policy alternatives he says the opposition is we can divide is there a big challenges ahead. i think what's what average access enduring was reaching out that he would require a strong stable government in comparison to what happened to him before in the sort of governance which the prime minister and the president to part is very weak and vacillating and dr united so strong stable government also the assertion of the identity of the majority community there is also a strong single biggest car with a strong sense of you know centralized leadership authoritarianism barriers an emphasis on law and order and on decision ultimately we can't continue them and w

watching al-jazeera live from our headquarters here in doha also coming up swearing in sri lanka's new cabinet in a departure from tradition the president holds the ceremony at a buddhist temple. mourning blast victims in beirut a vigil has been held one week after the devastating ports explosion. and a historic choice the democratic presidential hopeful joe biden named senator conrad harris as his running mate. our top story 3 people have died in violence in the indian city of bungalow sparked by an allegedly offensive social media post about the prophet mohammed dozens were injured when protesters clashed with police who fired on the crowd the facebook post was made by a relative of a local politician our correspondent elizabeth around them joins us live from new delhi hi there liz let's just explain to us what happened here. police are saying that there was what they're calling a mall but of people went to this congress politician a politician belonging to the congress party to his home late on tuesday evening and started trying to attack his home that they say it to vehicles on fir

years after the oversaw the defeat of the tamil tigers in sri lanka civil rule a former member of the national human rights commission voiced these concerns we also see a rise in single a buddhist nationalism and it seems like that is what is taking hold and and shaping the policy of the country so this means that minorities in particular feel frightened because if you are critical of the government you can be called a traitor you can be called a terrorist you can be arrested merely for expressing an opinion balancing the multiple challenges facing she lanka will not be easy for the new government but for the majority of people here the rajapaksa led government is the best option for now and then there's just the raw colombo. thousands of residents and tourists in italy is also a valley have been relocated after warnings a huge portion of them on blong place here is at risk of collapse a recent heatwave created a layer of water on the wii ice causing it to slide about 80 centimeters a day. let's take you through some of the headlines here on al-jazeera the u.s. state department has ca

lanka's parliamentary election showing a big lead for the governing party the sri lanka people's from party led by the rajapaksa brothers who serve as president and prime minister looks likely to consolidate power the brothers have promised to repeal a recent constitutional amendment which reduce the powers of the position of president mean alpha not as explains the electoral process from outside a ballot counting center in colombo. that's another set of results leaving the official counting center here in the colombo district one of 4 every single result that's tabulated is being sent obviously to the election authorities the hardcopy under strict security escort now most of the work over the last 10 to 12 hours has been completed to tabulate all the awards here in the colombo district and this exercise is being replicated in the $22.00 districts throughout sri lanka so basically all the votes come in to centralize counting centers in the district they are tabulated and then officially communicated to the election authorities who basically check them the rubber stamp them they basica

years after the oversaw the defeat of the tamil tigers in sri lanka civil. a former member of the national human rights commission voiced these concerns we also see a rise in single a buddhist nationalism and it seems like that is what is taking hold and and shaping the policy of the country so this means that minority thing particularly feel frightened because if you are critical of the government you can be called a traitor you can be called a terrorist you can be arrested merely for expressing an opinion balancing the multiple challenges facing she lanka will not be easy for the new government but for the majority of people here the rajapaksa led government is the best option for now and then this. film. dozens of residents and tourists in italy is also valley have been relocated after warnings that a huge portion of a blog last year is at risk of collapse the recent heat wave has created a layer of water under the ice causing it to slide about 80 centimeters a day experts warn it would take half a 1000000 cubic metres of ice just 2 minutes to reach the r

and president and prime minister rajapaksa early results from sri lanka's parliamentary elections show the brothers are set to cement their grip on power. the coronavirus gets underway as the wounds based players compete at the p.g.a. championship. the french president has pledged support during his visit to lebanon's capital today is off to it was devastated by a huge explosion a die humanitarian situation is developing there as international relief teams arrive in the crisis hit city at least 138 people have now died while still missing and more than 5000 have been injured our correspondent anaconda begins our coverage from beirut. search and rescue teams are still digging through the rubble at beirut port the site of massive explosions that damaged or destroyed much of the lebanese capital families are desperate for news about their loved ones dozens are missing there is pain and grief zainab fears she will never see her husband allie again. there's a still are still i don't know where he is i haven't heard from him since 6 pm monday i want to know if he's alive or dead. rescue expe

celebrations in the rajapaksa heartland the reason a 2 thirds majority in sri lanka's new parliament on thursday will resist queued to see incumbent prime minister mind the rajapaksa who secured the highest number for financial votes. similar scenes at the house of riyadh middle son a theater seeker another top performer for the governing sri lanka people's front party. would lead us into the unknown also paid duty. towards majority in the parliament and i didn't know the country can be developed in a very short period to see all what is the business shipley and also the theatre that it in brought this to know within the government this analyst says the strong support for prime minister rajapaksa and his brother who's president just 5 years after they voted out is the message from the people that we've heard it off of democracy reforms and perhaps those reforms actually retarding guards which is also the main message the president has sent since his election. so backed has been i think the clear message is. what the people are demanding use unless of course to. reform and more of eco

and mahinda rajapaksa is prime minister of sri lanka once again his 4th time around in the job obviously he swept the general elections concluded on the 5th of august with one of the highest number of preferential votes for a candidate ever over 5000000 votes now this paves the way for the s.l.p. be led by the rajapaksa to carry on with the work programme set out by president gautami rajapaksa in his election bid in 2019 it's called the stars for prosperity and aims to take sri lanka forward dealing with some of the pressing issues that this country faces now obviously the consolidation of the rajapaksa hold on power has been confirmed with the swearing in of my in the rajapaksa as we saw here at the calorie temple a little while ago but it also shows the kind of dynamic the family is now in charge and even when we saw the swearing in of the prime minister you had the president go to a beer or park say his younger brother who went around the table and actually worshiped his brother once he saw him in as prime minister these are some of the kind of ways the family operates obviously a num

counting the vote in sri lanka's parliamentary elections a poll that could cement the president's grip on power. and remembering the victims of hiroshima japan mark 75 years since the world's 1st atomic bombing that killed 140000 people. welcome to the program a dire humanitarian situation is coming into focus in lebanon 2 days after a large explosion tore through its capital there are concerns about food security after the destruction of beirut's port which is the main route for supplies coming in now the country imports up to 80 percent of its food the economy minister has warned that lebanon is not financially capable of dealing with the impact of the explosion and will lead international help several countries are already dispatching emergency aid from suited fuel to mobile hospitals and medical personnel zealot hotter is in beirut with more on the ongoing rescue and recovery missions. dozens remain missing search operations are continuing we are outside beirut court the site of the massive explosions that the steroid much of the lebanese capital the people behind me these are fami

vote counting is underway in sri lanka's twice delayed parliamentary election the sri lankan people's front party led by the rajapaksa brothers who serve as president and prime minister are expected to win a majority. twitter has temporarily restricted president donald trump's campaign team from tweeting it was in response to a video of a fox news and tea with trump where he made false claims about cave at 19. links to the tweet now arrive at this page twitter says the post violated its rules on covert 19 misinformation and the owner must remove it before they can tweet again the campaign appears to have complied i was earlier facebook removed the same video from president trump's main page it was the 1st time the facebook removed one of trump's videos like color has more from washington d.c. well president trump stated in that interview phone interview with fox television that children are almost immune from. 19 or virtually immune he said as well at a different stage now this is clearly and patently false the centers for disease research research the c.d.c. says that quarter of a 10

a big electoral win for the rajapaksa brothers cements their power and sri lanka and their plan to change the constitution. and militias battles a huge oil spill from a japanese ship that ran aground near the island of greenpeace is warning of devastating consequences. if you disturb it with your sports jason day she is the leader of gold soused major. the p.g.a. championship. now lebanon's president has raised the possibility of external interference and she has days porque last in beirut michel aoun addressed the nation just a short time ago vowing an investigation into whether the blast was caused by

in the rajapaksa brothers strengthen their grip on sri lanka and a big electoral win. and we start this process and with breaking news an air india express flight with 191 people on board has skidded off the runway while landing in code in care less days a media reporting the pilot has died more than 100 passengers that injured well let's now speak on the phone trying new delhi correspondent elizabeth purana liz i know this all happened less than 2 hours ago details still emerging what do we know at this stage. hine stuff here sir this is a subsidiary of the national carrier air india it's an air india express flight from divide to code the code as you said it skidded off the wrong way during

now to south asia and the final days of the civil war in sri lanka. for more than two decades, the army had fought the tamil tiger rebels. in 2009, the government forces began to close in on them. thousands of civilians were trapped alongside rebel fighters, beyond the reach ofjournalists, aid workers and independent witnesses. former united nations official gordon vice remembers it as one of the worst situations he'd ever encountered. sri lanka's government says it is close to winning the island's civil war after 25 years. the fighting has been intense and bloody. in a 25—year civil war, there had been many terrible episodes. this final few months of the war was by far the most bitter and the most vicious. 250,000 people caught in the middle, hungry, frightened, tired. many of them on the run from fighting for up to a year. some of them had been displaced 10 or 15 times. i had worked in a number of conflict zones before and since the war in sri lanka but the sri lankan experience was unique. the conflict on the island has pitted the government, bas

i'm british welcome to the dublin news airshow glad you could join us we begin in sri lanka where did less than 24 was some 16200000 eligible voters will have a chance to elect a new parliament the vote which was delayed twice due to the cone of out of spend demick is seen as a test for st long cuz constitutional democracy if the party of president. wins a 2 toed majority in the new parliament it would allow it to bring changes to the constitution changes that would give greater powers to his office and the frontrunner in the polls is the president's own brother. campaigning in times of covert 19 was kept to a minimum in sri lanka but that did not dampen the excitement of my hindu rajapaksa supporters rajapaksa the current prime minister is the favorite in the vote he's also the brother of the president whose work he highly praised. i think it we don't have to explain what would have happened if president rajapaksa had not let the battle against the covert pandemic bring. my handle rajapaksa was appointed prime minister only days after his younger brother got up bya became president l

lanka and go to the pool on windy sri lanka people's party led by the rajapaksa brothers is expected to win. president then prime minister minder family will protect war heroes who brought a queue ssion ensure national security subcommittee and bring prosperity under. the president's party must come to power to take this program forward we require a 2 thirds majority for this there are amendments needed to the constitution or else we need to change the constitution the presidential powers were weakened and those of the parliament strengthened under an amendment passed by m.p.'s in 2015 and only see any reversal would be detrimental as far as democracy is concerned if that arch boxes get close enough. all the set will be out of the window and therefore you will have a strong authoritarian government but this doesn't seem to want emotion longer than the many rajapaksa appeared the best option given their handling of the coronavirus outbreak and the negative perceptions of the previous government including security failures that led to one of the worst bombing in sri lanka on easter sun