Category: Politics
Sri Lanka jails 305 military deserters
September 2, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s military on Tuesday ordered the jailing of 305 army deserters who failed to return to their units during an amnesty period, the defence ministry said.The men were sentenced to jail terms ranging from three months to one year following court martial proceedings, the ministry said. “Those deserters have […]
Blast in Sri Lanka capital
August 30, 2008 (AFP) – A bomb went off in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo on Saturday, wounding at least 30 people, police and hospital sources said. A package left near a fruit vendor exploded in Pettah, the main commercial hub of the capital, police said, adding that the blast was also near the main […]
Bomb blast in Sri Lanka capital wounds 45: hospital
August 30, 2008 (AFP) – A powerful bomb ripped through a busy commercial area of Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo on Saturday, wounding 45 people, police and doctors said.The bombing in Colombo’s Pettah area came a day after Tiger rebels accused government forces of setting off a roadside bomb and killing two civilians inside guerrilla-held territory. […]
New media army descends on convention
DENVER, August 27, 2008 (AFP) – A new media army has descended on the Democratic convention in Colorado this week, boldly claiming to offer a fresh perspective on US politics distinct from the mainstream media. To receive instant alerts from LBO on your Dialog mobile type ‘lbo’ and send to 678 For the first time […]
Sri Lanka appeals to Tamils to flee to govt territory
August 28, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lanka on Thursday appealed to minority ethnic Tamil civilians living in the line of fire in rebel-held towns to move to areas under government control, saying it would guarantee them safe passage. To receive instant alerts from LBO on your Dialog mobile type ‘lbo’ and send to 678 Defence […]
Sri Lanka says regional deal will help combat terrorist financing
Aug 27, 2008 (LBO) – A legal co-operation deal signed by south Asian leaders at a summit in Sri Lanka earlier this month will help combat terrorist financing and cross-border crime, the foreign affairs ministry said Wednesday. To receive instant alerts from LBO on your Dialog mobile type ‘act (space) lbo’ and send to 678 […]
‘s treatment of journalist
August 26, 2008 (AFP) – Rights groups on Tuesday denounced Sri Lanka’s use of tough prevention of terrorism laws against a veteran journalist reporting on the island’s decades-old ethnic conflict. The condemnation came a day after authorities formally charged J.S. Tissanayagam with inciting racial hatred and bringing disrepute to the government. The journalist, who has […]
Sri Lanka Trincomalee port town bombed
Aug 26, 2008 (LBO) – At least two explosions ripped through the port town of Trincomalee in Eastern Sri Lanka, which is home to a strategically important naval base Tuesday night, residents and the military said. “There had been an explosion in Trincomalee town and we are checking on it,” military spokesman Udaya Nanayakkara said. […]
Sri Lanka Tigers bomb Trincomalee port town
Aug 26, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Tamil Tiger guerilla aircraft have dropped two bombs in the Eastern port town of Trincomalee, in a Tuesday night raid, the military and residents said.The defence ministry said Tiger aircraft had dropped two bombs and fled the town. Residents reported anti-aircraft fire, in a town which has had […]
‘s ruling party wins provincial polls
Aug 24, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s ruling coalition is securing comfortable wins in two provincial polls with large majorities in most polling divisions, official results show, increasing the likelihood of further polls in the months ahead, analysts say.A similar trend is seen in the Ratnapura and Kegalle districts of the Sabaragamuwa province, in polling […]
Sri Lanka ruling party in strong position for national polls
Aug 24, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s ruling coalition has won convincingly over the main opposition and weakened a Marxist former ally in a provincial poll, placing the administration in a strong position to go for national polls on its own.The United Peoples’ Freedom Alliance (UPFA) led by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party of President […]
Sri Lanka braces for push on Tiger capital
August 24, 2008 (AFP) – Strife-torn Sri Lanka is bracing for intense and bloody battles as security forces close in on the political capital of the Tamil Tiger rebels, according to military analysts.Sri Lanka braces for push on Tiger capital Government forces are celebrating the capture of the towns of Uyilankulam and Thunukkai after battling […]