Landslide victory for ruling UPFA coalition in 8 Apr parliamentary elections: won 144 of 225 seats, 6 short of two-thirds majority required to amend constitution. Campaign saw widespread govt misuse of state resources and media, but observers said voting generally free and fair; Nawalapitiya, Trincomalee districts revoted 20 Apr due to polling day violence. Main Tamil party TNA won 14 seats despite low turnout in northeast, main bastion of support; rights groups said many IDPs denied right to vote. Ex-army chief Sarath Fonseka, still in military custody following Feb arrest, won seat in Colombo under opposition DNA party; 1 of 2 court martials against Fonseka resumed 19 Apr. Ruling SLFP party veteran D.M. Jayaratne sworn as new PM 21 Apr. UN mid-month reported some 80,000 IDPs remain in camps in north; further 10,000 suspected LTTE supporters detained without access to lawyers or ICRC.

UNSG Ban 5 March announced plans to create panel of experts to advise him on options for investigating possible human rights abuses by govt and LTTE during civil war; President Rajapaksa criticised plans as “unwarranted”. UNHCHR Pillay 4 March said continued govt human rights abuses hurting prospects for post-war reconciliation. 1st of 2 court martials of ex-army chief Sarath Fonseka adjourned until April after Fonseka’s lawyers challenged their legality. Parliament 9 March reconvened for vote to extend emergency laws, in nearly continuous effect for the past 30 years. Largest Tamil TNA party 8 March dropped demand for independent Tamil state, said will accept substantial regional autonomy; Rajapaksa reiterated opposition to federalism as govt ministers promised to enact new constitution after 8 April legislative elections.

Turbulent fallout from Jan presidential elections continued: defeated opposition candidate Sarath Fonseka 8 Feb said willing to testify against govt in any international war crimes investigation. Fonseka arrested hours later for “plotting against govt” while serving as army commander. Buddhist and Christian clergy criticised arrest; protests over following days led to violent clashes with police, govt supporters. Govt also dismissed 14 top army officers, arrested at least 37 soldiers with ties to Fonseka. Fonseka 16 Feb filed petition to Supreme Court over alleged vote rigging by govt in Jan elections. President Rajapaksa 9 Feb dissolved parliament, announced 8 April general elections. Opposition parties jointly backing Fonseka weakened by his arrest, will contest parliamentary polls separately. Some 100,000 IDPs still in camps in north after govt missed self-imposed 1 Feb deadline to close all camps; govt said all will be released by April when demining process finished. EC 15 Feb confirmed will withdraw GSP+ trade concession to Sri Lanka in 6 months if govt does not address human rights concerns.

President Rajapaksa re-elected 26 Jan with 57.8% of vote and overwhelming support from Sinhalese voters. Main challenger Sarath Fonseka, winner in Tamil and Muslim districts, accused govt of vote rigging, said will legally challenge result. International observers said voting largely free and fair, but rights groups said campaign period marked by misuse of state resources, media coverage favouring govt and physical intimidation of opposition. At least 4 killed, hundreds injured in pre-election violence across country; UNSG Ban 21 Jan expressed concern over “growing violence”. Rajapaksa 28 Jan said will dissolve parliament, call general election “soon”. Some 100,000 IDPs still in govt-run camps in north; tens of thousands recently released continue to face difficult conditions due to wide destruction of home districts in final months of war. Govt rejected 6 Jan UN investigation confirming authenticity of video made public July 2009 of SLA soldiers executing LTTE prisoners.

Thousands of IDPs left internment camps in north east during month after govt 1 Dec granted them freedom of movement; but rights groups warned many relocated to transit facilities, and govt monitoring of IDPs remains strict. Independent election monitors late month warned large numbers of northern Tamil voters displaced during civil war could be unable to vote in 26 Jan presidential elections due to difficulties in registration process; govt denied. UN 21 Dec asked govt to explain deaths of 3 LTTE leaders in May after ex-General Sarath Fonseka 12 Dec said govt ordered troops to kill them as they tried to surrender; Fonseka later retracted statement. EU 17 Dec announced will revoke GSP+ trade concession for Sri Lanka from Feb 2010 due to govt’s poor human rights record.

Govt 21 Nov announced some 100,000 IDPs released from internment camps in north during month; said remaining 136,000 will have ”guaranteed freedom of movement” from 1 Dec, camps to close completely by Feb 2010. UN, rights groups welcomed announcement, humanitarian agencies privately expressed concerns about nature of resettlement: IDPs returned to areas not fully demined, without adequate provisions, infrastructure, or livelihood options; no independent monitoring and movements tightly controlled by military. Former army commander General Sarath Fonseka resigned 12 Nov, accused govt of sidelining him after civil war victory; Fonseka 29 Nov announced will stand as common opposition candidate against President Rajapaksa in 26 Jan 2010 presidential elections. Sri Lanka late month blocked from hosting 2011 Commonwealth summit due to poor human rights record.

UN delegation during mid-month visit expressed “strong concern” over slow resettlement process of some 280,000 IDPs held indefinitely in govt-run internment camps, lack of freedom in camps; President Rajapaksa 18 Sept reiterated plans to resettle “70-80%” of IDPs by end 2009. Govt 17 Sept admitted half of some 10,000 released from Menik Farm camp early month had been resettled in different camps. At least 3 refugees wounded trying to escape Menik Farm 27 Sept after govt troops opened fire. Late Aug jailing of anti-govt journalist J.S. Tissainayagam for 20 years drew widespread international criticism. 2nd instalment of US$2.6b IMF loan to be considered Oct after IMF 22 Sept said “satisfied” with Sri Lanka’s economic performance.

Impending monsoon season compounded fears over health situation for some 280,000 IDPs held indefinitely in overcrowded govt-run internment camps; at least 5 killed as many camps already flooded during month, destroying shelters, overflowing sewage systems, contaminating water supply. Govt rejected repeated aid organisations’ calls for release or quick resettlement of IDPs, said demining process in northeast and security screenings not complete. Pro-LTTE TNA party won majority in 8 Aug Vavuniya local council elections, came 2nd in Jaffna; govt criticised for banning media coverage of elections. Govt 7 Aug announced overseas arrest and rendition of new LTTE leader Selvarasa Pathmanathan.

Growing concerns for some 280,000 displaced by govt-LTTE war and still held indefinitely in govt-run internment camps: reports suggest many detained suffer from malnutrition, have limited access to basic supplies, medicine. Govt 9 July urged international aid groups to “scale down” work after war’s end; ICRC said will end operations in Eastern Province. IMF 26 July approved US$2.6b loan to Sri Lanka; U.S., UK, others abstained from vote, highlighting international concerns over alleged govt human rights abuses during and after war; IMF said “aware of concerns”, but loan necessary to prevent “devastating” balance of payment crisis. In 22 July statement, LTTE named Selvarasa Pathmanathan new leader, said will transform rebels to “nonviolent resistance movement”.