Sri Lanka’s president sworn in for second term

COLOMBO - Sri Lanka’s President Mahinda Rajapaksa was sworn in for a second term Friday morning, officials said.

The ceremony took place at the Presidential Secretariat before Chief Justice Ashoka de Silva.

Rajapaksa opted for early elections in January 2010 - two years before his term was due to end - and received 57.81 percent 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 marked with a military guard of honour. Local and foreign dignitaries attended.

Rajapaksa was due to address the nation after the ceremony.

His inauguration for the second term was being 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.