Sri Lankan president to be sworn in for second term; opponents boycott - CNN International

Colombo, Sri Lanka (CNN) -- Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa is slated to be sworn in Thursday for a second six-year term at a nationally televised ceremony outside Colombo's presidential secretariat overlooking the Indian Ocean.Bhutan's Prime Minister, Jigme Thinley, who heads the South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC), will be the guest of honor. Most other member countries of the regional grouping are sending special envoys for the event, an External Affairs Ministry official said.The main opposition parties have declared they will boycott the ceremony. By Iqbal Athas, For CNN