Category: Politics
Sri Lanka bus shooting toll rises
July 11, 2008 (AFP) – At least four people were killed and 26 injured Friday when Tamil Tiger rebels opened fire on a bus in southern Sri Lanka, the defence ministry said. The incident took place just south of the capital Colombo in Buttala, police said, adding that the injured had been taken to nearby […]
Sri Lanka fighting kills 24: defence ministry
July 9, 2008 (AFP) – At least 22 Tamil Tiger rebels and two government soldiers have died in the latest clashes in northern Sri Lanka, the island’s defence ministry said Wednesday.The fighting, which took place on Tuesday, was centred around the Weli Oya, Vavuniya and Mannar regions, the statement said. The rebel Liberation Tigers of […]
Sri Lanka opposition blames army for attacks on media
July 8, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s main opposition Tuesday accused the country’s military chief of orchestrating violent attacks on journalists critical of its battle against Tamil separatists. Opposition MP Joseph Michael Perera told parliament that a recent wave of beatings and other violence against journalists was carried out by a “special team” under the […]
Sri Lanka Tigers pay homage to 356 suicide bombers
July 6, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s Tamil Tigers on Sunday commemorated 356 men and women who have staged suicide attacks since the tactic was first used by the rebels 21 years ago. The rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) said they held ceremonies in guerrilla-held Wanni region on Saturday to mark the 21st […]
Sri Lanka activists organising media boycott of South Asia summit: report
July 6, 2008 (AFP) – Media activists in Sri Lanka are organising a boycott of the upcoming South Asian summit in Colombo in protest at escalating attacks against journalists, a report said Sunday.The Lakbima News weekly said several media outlets had agreed in principle not to cover the August 1 summit of the South Asian […]
Expelled Sri Lanka ex-warlord returns from Britain
July 3, 2008 (AFP) – A former Sri Lankan Tamil guerrilla leader expelled from Britain returned Thursday after serving a brief jail term on immigration charges, officials said. Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan, also known as Colonel Karuna and who was jailed in London in January, was escorted back to Sri Lanka, airport officials said. Karuna, who led […]
Sri Lanka human rights abuses, attacks on media draw US concern
July 3, 2008 (AFP) – The United States said Thursday it had “strong concerns” about Sri Lanka’s deteriorating human rights record and escalating attacks on the local media.Deputy assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian affairs Evan Feigenbaum expressed US concerns to Sri Lankan authorities during his four-day visit which ends Thursday. “We […]
‘s war against journalists a conspiracy: President
July 2, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s continuing attacks on the media is a conspiracy to discredit the government, President Mahinda Rajapakse said, while the latest assault against a mediaman and a UK embassy staffer drew new condemnation.At a time when the government was fighting terror and implementing development projects, there were moves to de-stabilize […]
Sri Lankan media offers reward for tips on attackers
July 02, 2008 (LBO) – The Sri Lanka Press Institute (SLPI) and the Newspaper Publishers Association are offering a reward of five million rupees for information on the assault on journalist Namal Perera.Informants could give information that lead to the arrest of the assailants by calling 0033 147 777 414 or sending emails to helppresssrilanka@gmail.com, […]
Sri Lanka journalists protest over attacks
July 2, 2008 (AFP) – Hundreds of Sri Lankan reporters and cameramen staged a protest outside President Mahinda Rajapakse’s home Wednesday demanding an end to a wave of killings, abductions and assaults against journalists.Media workers’ associations peacefully demonstrated outside the main access to Rajapakse’s Temple Trees residence while dozens of unarmed police stood behind yellow […]
Sri Lanka fighting kills another 29: defence ministry
July 2, 2008 (AFP) – Fresh fighting between Sri Lankan government forces and Tamil Tigers has left at least another 27 rebels and two soldiers dead, the defence ministry said Wednesday. Troops shot dead 27 rebels in the districts of Vavuniya, Mannar and Mullaitivu on Tuesday, the ministry said, adding that security forces lost two […]
Helicopter shot while Sri Lanka president visits former war zone
July 1, 2008 (AFP) – A Sri Lankan military helicopter was hit by small arms fire in eastern Sri Lanka Tuesday as President Mahinda Rajapakse visited the region, officials said. The Bell helicopter made an emergency landing in the district of Ampara where the president was visiting to launch a 10-million dollar US-gifted bridge that […]