VOA NEWS: SRI LANKA'S PRESIDENT RAJAPAKSE SEEKS TO BOOST WAR BUDGET
November 06, 2008
November 06, 2008
WASHINGTON, Nov. 6 -- The Voice of America issued the following story:
Sri Lanka's president, Mahinda Rajapakse, is seeking approval for higher defense spending, which he says is needed to eradicate what he called "terrorism" as government forces ramp up their offensive against northern ethnic Tamil Tiger rebels.
The president, who also serves as finance minister, is requesting a record $1.6 billion in military expenditures in 2009, up from $1.5 billi . . .
Sri Lanka's president, Mahinda Rajapakse, is seeking approval for higher defense spending, which he says is needed to eradicate what he called "terrorism" as government forces ramp up their offensive against northern ethnic Tamil Tiger rebels.
The president, who also serves as finance minister, is requesting a record $1.6 billion in military expenditures in 2009, up from $1.5 billi . . .