Category: Politics
Galle literary festival, Sri Lanka; seeking freedom in prose
Feb 07, 2009 (LBO) – “I happen to be in love with dictators,” says Moses Isegawa, a Ugandan author whose life had been shaped by the likes of former dictator Idi Amin, and who eventually left his home country to write from abroad.“Every word is a vote,” insists Anam. V V Ganeshanthan, whose debut novel […]
Sri Lanka warns Tigers to surrender or risk rout
February 7, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapakse warned cornered Tamil Tiger rebels to surrender or face a complete rout as government forces claimed more successes in what is regarded as their fight to a finish.“I want to tell the Tigers ‘lay down arms and surrender to security forces’,” the president told a […]
Sri Lanka mob stones Red Cross office
February 6, 2009 (AFP) – A mob stoned the main office of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo on Friday, smashing windows, a spokeswoman told AFP.The crowd of protestors, estimated to number around 200, shouted slogans, including “ICRC go home,” before being dispersed by police, spokeswoman Sophie Romanens […]
Sri Lankan troops take more Tiger bases
February 6, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lankan troops captured several Tamil Tiger supply bases on Friday, a day after overrunning the rebels’ last and largest naval base, military officials said. There has been growing concern for the safety of civilians amid reports from the International Committee of the Red Cross that “hundreds” have already been […]
Sri Lanka offers amnesty to Tamil Tigers: PM
February 5, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lanka is offering an amnesty to Tamil Tiger rebels who lay down arms and surrender to government forces, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake told parliament Thursday.“There are reports that groups of people who took part in terrorist activities in the north (of the island) are ready to give themselves up,” […]
Sri Lanka combatants must declare truce, evacuate civilians: Canada
Feb 05, 2009 (LBO) – Canada has called for the warring parties in Sri Lanka to declare a truce to evacuate the wounded civilians and for the Tigers to lay down arms. Meanwhile several hundred civilians have crossed over to government controlled areas in recent days. “We continue to believe that the conflict cannot be […]
Sri Lanka leader urges diaspora to return
Feb 04, 2009 (LBO) – President Mahinda Rajapaksa has urged Sri Lankans who left the island because of war to return to help rebuild the nation and revive its economy, saying Tiger terrorism was about to be completely crushed. “You must show respect to all communities,” Rajapaksa said. “The future belongs to those who sow […]
Sri Lanka war triggers strike in Indian Tamil state
NEW DELHI, February 4, 2009 (AFP) – Opposition political parties in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu called a general strike Wednesday to protest civilian casualties from the war in nearby Sri Lanka.Sri Lanka’s Tamils share close cultural and religious links with the 55 million Tamils in Tamil Nadu, which is also home to thousands […]
Sri Lanka fighting kills 52 civilians: UN
February 4, 2009 (AFP) – At least 52 civilians were killed in Sri Lanka in shelling in one location on Tuesday, a UN spokesman said Wednesday, as the only hospital in the war zone was evacuated after being hit multiple times.“We have a report that 52 civilians had been killed in a shell attack at […]
” in Sri Lanka
WASHINGTON, February 3, 2009 (AFP) – US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and her British counterpart David Miliband called here Tuesday for a “temporary no-fire period” in Sri Lanka to evacuate casualties and allow in relief.“Secretary Clinton and Foreign Secretary Miliband call on both the government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of […]
Sri Lankan troops capture last Tamil Tiger airstrip: military
February 3, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lankan government troops on Tuesday captured the last of several jungle airstrips used by the Tamil Tigers to launch air strikes across the island, the defence ministry said.The two-kilometre (1.25-mile) long runway and hangar for light aircraft was seized by troops advancing on the village of Thirivilaru in Mullaittivu […]
Sri Lanka Tamil Tigers urged to lay down arms
Feb 03, 2009 (LBO) – The United States and other powerful donors involved in Sri Lanka’s ethnic conflict have urged Tamil Tiger rebels to surrender, to prevent further civilian casualties, saying their days were numbered. The co-chairs also urged the government and the rebels to declare a “temporary no-fire period” to allow for evacuation of […]