Category: Politics
90,000 displaced in Sri Lanka conflict return home: UN
GENEVA, November 6, 2009 (AFP) – About a third of those displaced during the conflict between Sri Lanka government and the Tamil Tigers have returned home over the past three months, the UN refugee agency said Friday.“Some 90,000 internally displaced people have returned to their villages in Sri Lanka’s north and east over the past […]
Sri Lanka boat people leader a known trafficker: Colombo
November 6, 2009 (AFP) – The leader of a boat of Sri Lankan asylum seekers held in Indonesia is a known people smuggler previously deported from Canada, the government said Friday, a charge he has strongly denied.Alex, who emerged as the spokesman for the 255 Sri Lankans whose boat was detained last month en route […]
Sri Lanka president announces wage hike for troops
November 5, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s president has announced an immediate salary increase for all members of the country’s armed forces amid plans to boost the strength of the security services.President Mahinda Rajapakse granted the unspecified salary increase during a visit Wednesday to the island’s northern regions, which were recently wrested from Tamil rebel […]
US House of representatives pressures Sri Lanka on refugee camps
WASHINGTON, November 4, 2009 (AFP) – The US House of Representatives urged Sri Lanka’s government Wednesday to guarantee the safety and quick release of some 300,000 Tamils and other war-displaced people currently held in camps.By an overwhelming 421-1 vote, lawmakers approved a non-binding resolution that calls on the authorities in Colombo to help the populations […]
Sri Lanka military chief skips US war crimes quiz: MP
November 4, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s military commander left the United States ahead of possible questioning over alleged war crimes committed during the defeat of the island’s Tamil rebels, a legislator said Wednesday.General Sarath Fonseka headed back to Sri Lanka without facing questioning by the Department of Homeland Security later in the day, Samantha […]
US tightlipped on Sri Lanka army chief
WASHINGTON, November 2, 2009 (AFP) – The United States was tightlipped Monday about Sri Lanka’s visiting top military commander, after the island said US authorities planned to grill him over alleged war crimes.Sri Lanka summoned the US ambassador to demand the Department of Homeland Security drop with what the island’s government said were plans to […]
Singaporean faces US trial over Tamil Tigers arms case
SINGAPORE, November 3, 2009 (AFP) – A Singaporean opposition party member will be extradited to the United States and tried for allegedly trying to supply arms to Sri Lanka’s defeated Tamil Tiger rebels, officials here said Tuesday.Businessman Balldev Naidu, 47, is facing six charges including conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organisation […]
‘s opposition unites to face snap polls
November 3, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s main opposition on Tuesday formed an alliance with minority Tamil and Muslim parties and a breakaway faction of the ruling coalition to contest possible snap elections.The next presidential poll, which was due by November 2011, will now be held before April 2010, according to the government. Opposition leader […]
Sri Lanka protests at US plan to quiz military chief: report
November 2, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lanka summoned the United States ambassador in Colombo on Monday to protest over US plans to quiz the island’s military commander about alleged war crimes, a report said.The report covered the period from January — when fighting intensified — until the end of May, when Sri Lankan troops defeated […]
Sri Lanka protests US plans to quiz army chief
November 2, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lanka protested Monday against plans by US officials to quiz its top military commander over alleged war crimes committed during the final months of the war with Tamil Tiger rebels.The US plan to interview Fonseka followed the recent publication of a US State Department dossier outlining allegations of serious […]
15 feared dead as unidentified boat sinks off Australia
SYDNEY, November 2, 2009 (AFP) – About 15 people were feared dead on Monday after a boat carrying 39 sank in rough seas far off northwest Australia despite frantic rescue attempts by a passing merchant ship and fishing vessel.Defence chief Angus Houston said the unidentified boat capsized and then sank after the LNG Pioneer ship […]
Sri Lanka needs rulers who respect law and order: senior executive
Nov 01, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s private sector should support lawmakers who respect law and order to bring about a free, fair and just society, which is the basis of democracy, a senior private sector executive has said. An attempt to set up independent commissions to create institutions that serve the people without favour […]