DATE=12/22/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=LANKA ELECTED (L-O)
NUMBER=2-257398
BYLINE=VANDANA CHOPRA
DATELINE=COLOMBO
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga
says her wounds have given her a new lease on life and
made her more determined to end the country's ethnic
war. Vandana Chopra has the details from Colombo.
TEXT: Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga says
she will not rest until she rids the land of hatred
and its curse of destruction.
In an emotional speech after her swearing-in ceremony
at her official residence, President Kumaratunga said
her victory is without any doubt a very special and
portentious gift of the gods.
President Kumaratunga defeated her nearest rival,
Ranil Wickremasinghe of the main opposition, United
National Party. The margin of victory was much
narrower than in 1994 and was elected for a second
six-year term.
She did not change her cabinet.
The President, who cried twice during her speech, said
all those who secretly and openly condemn the path of
peace be warned that the days of terror in this land
are numbered, and that number is small.
President Kumaratunga was injured in an assassination
bid by a suicide bomber Saturday after an election
speech on the last day of campaigning. At least 24-
people were killed and 110-wounded in the blast.
Ms. Kumaratunga also asked Mr. Wickremasinghe to join
the government in an effort to find peace. She said
the significant support he commands means the people
want him to play a major role.
She urged the Tamil community to use every ounce of
influence to bring rebel leader Velupillai Prabhakaran
to the negotiating table without further delay.
The Sri Lankan President triumphed despite recent
military setbacks. Political analysts say she won a
sizeable number of sympathy votes following the
assassination attempt.
Tamil rebels have been fighting for a separate
homeland for the minority community in Sri Lanka's
north and east since 1983. (SIGNED)
NEB/VC/RAE
22-Dec-1999 13:22 PM EDT (22-Dec-1999 1822 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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