Category: Politics

Mar 20, 2012 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s business chambers have opposed a resolution in the United Nations Human Rights Council against alleged war crimes in the campaign that crushed Tamil Tiger separatists. “The joint Chambers of Commerce of Sri Lanka express concern over the resolution to be tabled at the UNHRC against Sri Lanka,” they […]

Mar 19, 2012 (LBO) – India might vote against Sri Lanka in the United Nations Human Rights Council which is debating alleged war crimes in the island, news reports quoted Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh as saying. Tamil Nadu political parties have been urging the Indian government to take a strong stand on the atrocities […]

Mar 01, 2012 (LBO) – The United Kingdom has tightened immigration rules, ending automatic settlement for skilled workers but allowing scientists and those in low-paid jobs where there are worker shortages and limited stay for servants. œOur reforms of the immigration system will ensure we are more selective, not only about those who are allowed […]

Feb 28, 2012 (LB) – Bangladesh photographer, activist and social entrepreneur Shahidul Alam, challenged Sri Lankans to think creatively to flag social issues that grips the developing world. Driven by largely autocratic governments, developing nations like Sri Lanka battle veiled censorship, subtle military rule and commercial pressure that often suppress unsavoury topics. “Don’t let those […]

Jan 23, 2012 (LBO) – Building a secular state can prevent oppression of minorities and victims of an arbitrary state should learn to forgive but must also speak out for change, writers participating in a literary festival in Sri Lanka said. India, a land of Maharajahs, became a democracy with voting rights and parliamentary legislating […]

Jan 16, 2012 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s main minority Tamil political party has rejected a government investigation into the ethnic war, saying it lacked credibility and even its interim recommendations a year ago were not implemented. The commission also recommended that people who are discharged be given a certificate to prevent being re-arrested but even […]

Dec 30, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka needs to restore the rule of law and change its constitution that concentres too much power in the executive president who wields too much control over its citizens, the Asian Human Rights Commission said. “All Sri Lankans will wish that the coming year will not be like the […]

Dec 15, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has decided to do health checks on applicants for resident visas to the island, media minister Keheliya Rambukwella said. The cabinet of ministers has decided to conduct a health assessment for the resident visa applicants to Sri Lanka, he told a news conference. A statement said a large […]

Dec 14, 2011 (LBO) – A visiting Australian parliamentary delegation has said Sri Lanka’s reconciliation efforts after the end of its 30-year ethnic war must ensure sustainable peace and progress. Five Australian-members of parliament have gained a “first-hand insight” into Sri Lanka’s current political, economic and social situation during a week-long visit to the country,” […]

Dec 01, 2011 (LBO) – The Japanese government has provided almost 60 million rupees worth of aid for an early childhood care and development project in the eastern Trincomalee district, part of the former war zone. “It is expected that more than 1,000 families and their community members will benefit from the project,” the statement […]

Nov 30, 2011 (LBO) – A Japanese ‘peace envoy’ to Sri Lanka has pressed the island to probe allegations of human rights abuses that led to the loss of duty free market access to Europe. Yasushi Akashi, who served as a special envoy of the Japanese government during the island’s ethnic war, said a national […]

November 18, 2011 (AFP) – A Sri Lankan High Court sentenced former army chief Sarath Fonseka to three years in jail on Friday after finding him guilty of making a false allegation against the president’s brother. Fonseka, who ran against President Mahinda Rajapakse in 2010 elections, is already serving a 30-month prison term after a […]