Across Asia: Sri Lanka

Former rebel chief now MP

An ex-Tamil Tiger leader who allied with the government to win eastern Sri Lanka back from the separatist rebels last year took his oath as a legislator yesterday, capping a remarkable political metamorphosis.

But as soon as Vinayagamoorthi Muralitheran, who just three months ago finished a UK jail term and narrowly avoided war crimes charges, was sworn in, political opponents immediately challenged his appointment in court.