Category: Politics
’s cabinet clear release of ex-army chief
May 17, 2012 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s cabinet of ministers on Thursday agreed to free jailed former army chief Sarath Fonseka, President Mahinda Rajapakse’s aide said, paving the way for the retired four star general’s imminent release. Fonseka lead troops in a spectacular military campaign against the Tamil Tiger rebels that ended the island’s decades […]
US official visits Sri Lanka on de-mining
May 02, 2012 (LBO) – A senior United States official in charge of security assistance programs and policy had visited Sri Lanka and for talks with defence officials and to see the progress on de-mining, the US embassy in Colombo said. He had also visited Kilinochchi and Vavuniya, where a 30-year civil war ended in […]
Sri Lanka economic sanctions ruled out by US
Mar 21, 2012 (LBO) – The United States will not push for economic sanctions on Sri Lanka despite calls for a probe into alleged war crimes, Robert Blake, a top US State Department official said in an exclusive interview. But the government needs to move faster on reconciliation between the island’s main communities after the […]
Sri Lanka business groups oppose UN war crimes resolution
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 […]
Sri Lanka might lose Indian support on war crimes issue: reports
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 […]
UK restricts skilled workers; allows servants, scientists
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 […]
Sri Lankan should flag social issues creatively: Bangladesh photo activist
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 […]
Sri Lanka reconciliation, secular republics in focus
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 […]
Sri Lanka govt probe seen failing to win confidence of Tamils
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 […]
Sri Lanka warns of Tamil Tiger separatist revival
Jan 11, 2012 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is maintaining high defence spending and sizeable military to guard against any possible resumption of violence by Tamil Tiger separatists who are trying to regroup, a senior defence official said. The island’s intelligence services had picked up evidence of attempts to reactivate the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam […]
Sri Lanka must restore rule of law, says human rights body
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 […]
Sri Lanka to do health checks for resident visa
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 […]