Lakshman Kadirgamar

Lakshman Kadirgamar (April 12, 1932 – August 12, 2005 in Colombo, Sri Lanka) was a Sri Lankan politician. He was foreign minister of Sri Lanka from 1994 to 2001 and again from April 2004 until his assassination in August 2005.

Political career

Although he had never been elected and had never addressed a political rally, he was selected as national list MP in 1994 on the Peoples Alliance list. He was Foreign Minister in the PA government of President Chandrika Kumaratunga. After the defeat of the government in 2001, he became special adviser on Foreign Affairs to the President of Sri Lanka, Chandrika Kumaratunga. Despite himself being a Tamil, he strongly supported the Bandaranaike government's policy of not negotiating with the Tamil Tigers insurgents in northern Sri Lanka. He has also been critical of the Norwegian mediators in the period 2001 to 2004, claiming they have been biased towards the Tamil Tigers.

Related Topics:
Chandrika Kumaratunga - 2001 - Tamil Tigers

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In 2003 Kadirgamar was a candidate for the position of Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, but was defeated by Don McKinnon of New Zealand.

Related Topics:
2003 - Commonwealth - Don McKinnon - New Zealand

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Following the victory of the United People's Freedom Alliance in the April 2, 2004 Sri Lankan legislative elections, he was mentioned as a candidate for Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, but on April 6 President Kumaratunga appointed Mahinda Rajapakse to the post. Four days later, however, he became foreign minister again in the new cabinet.

Related Topics:
United People's Freedom Alliance - April 2 - 2004 - Sri Lankan legislative elections - Prime Minister of Sri Lanka - April 6 - Mahinda Rajapakse

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