President Appoints New Prime Minister
From Times Wire Reports
Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga appointed veteran politician Mahinda Rajapakse as prime minister to replace Ranil Wickremesinghe. The latter’s plan to make peace with Tamil Tiger rebels was a major factor in a feud with Kumaratunga, who thought the plan gave the rebels too much.
The rebels threatened to resume fighting unless their demands for autonomy were met.
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