Category: Politics
” countries for journalists
BELGRADE, June 17, 2008 (AFP) – The International Press Institute has highlighted the oppressive conditions for media in a number of countries, including Zimbabwe and Russia, officials said. The IPI board “unanimously” voted to keep Ethiopia, Nepal, Russia, Sri Lanka, Venezuela and Zimbabwe on its “watch list” of countries where press freedom has significantly deteriorated, […]
French charity seeks international probe into Sri Lanka massacre
June 17, 2008 (AFP) – A French charity demanded on Tuesday an international probe into the execution-style killing of 17 of its employees in Sri Lanka in 2006 after denouncing local investigations.Paris-based Action Against Hunger, or ACF, asked the French government and the European Union, among others, to set up an international panel to probe […]
Sri Lanka suicide bombing kills five: police
June 16, 2008 (AFP) – A suspected Tamil Tiger rebel detonated explosives carried on his motorcycle in northern Sri Lanka Monday, killing at least five people and wounded many more, police said.Vavuniya borders Tamil rebel-held territory further north of the island.The suicide bomber staged the attack directly in front of a police administration office in […]
Sri Lanka suicide bombing kills nine: police
June 16, 2008 (AFP) – At least nine people were killed and 40 wounded Monday in a suicide bombing at a police office in northern Sri Lanka, officials said.Police said the area was sealed off as victims were being rushed to hospital. Vavuniya borders Tamil rebel-held territory further north of the island.The suicide bomber detonated […]
Motorcycle suicide bomber kills 12 police in Sri Lanka: officials
COLOMBO, June 16, 2008 (AFP) – A suspected Tamil Tiger rebel detonated explosives on his motorcycle outside a police station in northern Sri Lanka Monday, killing at least 12 officers and wounding 40 others, officials said. The blast occurred during morning rush hour directly in front of the police building in Vavuniya town, 258 kilometres […]
Sri Lanka says Tiger base hit, 17 dead in clashes
June 15, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lankan war planes destroyed a suspected Tamil Tiger logistics base in the island’s northeast Sunday after ground battles left 15 guerrillas and two soldiers dead, the defence ministry said.Air force fighter jets pounded a “logistics base and combat vehicle conversion plant” in Mullaitivu district early Sunday, the ministry said. […]
Sri Lanka govt muzzled media during EU visit: rights group
June 13, 2008 (LBO) – The Sri Lankan government pressured independent newspapers not to publish critical stories during a visit by a European Union delegation to the island earlier this week, a media rights group said. The statement said that journalists working for several newspapers told Reporters Without Borders on condition of anonymity that during […]
Sri Lanka jets bomb Tiger weapons stock: military
June 12, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lankan war planes destroyed a suspected Tamil Tiger rebel arms manufacturing facility in the island’s north on Thursday as ground battles killed 15 people, the defence ministry said.The air force hit an “arms and ammunition manufacturing yard” of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), the ministry said in […]
Sri Lanka Tigers say 27 kid fighters released; UNICEF says there are more
June 13, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s Tamil Tigers said Friday they had released 27 more child soldiers, and contested a United Nations estimate that over 1,000 under-age fighters were still in rebel ranks.The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), who are fighting for an independent state and control much of the north of Sri […]
Sri Lanka Tamil Tigers attack navy outpost
June 11, 2008 (AFP) – Tamil Tiger rebels destroyed a navy outpost in north-western Sri Lanka Wednesday, killing at least three sailors and losing four fighters of their own, the two sides said. Machine guns, mortars, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, an anti-tank weapon and explosives were among the items seized, the website reported. The rebels […]
Sri Lanka fighting kills another 20: military
June 10, 2008 (AFP) – Fighting across Sri Lanka’s embattled northern region left at least 18 Tamil Tigers and two soldiers dead, the defence ministry said Tuesday.Monday’s fighting in the regions of Mannar and Vavuniya also wounded 10 Tiger rebels and 18 government troopers, the ministry said. However, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) […]
Sri Lankans live on the edge as Tamil Tigers pounce on civilians
June 8, 2008 (AFP) – Each time Indika Jayawickrema uses public transport, his wife Chamindri anxiously waits for a telephone call to let her know he has safely reached his destination.His journey is one that has become more risky recently as a wave of bomb attacks targeting civilians sweeps through Sri Lanka, which is in […]