Category: Politics
Sri Lankan rights group condemns assault on journalist
May 23, 2008 (AFP) – A Sri Lanka media rights group Friday condemned the abduction and assault of a senior journalist, saying it was motivated by his criticism of the government’s war against Tamil Tiger rebels. Most of the victims are Tamil journalists working in the island’s embattled north and east.Sinhalese journalists working in the […]
Sri Lanka says human rights concerns being addressed
May 22, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s government has downplayed the loss of its seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council and said it needed more “space” to address human rights concerns. Foreign affairs minister Rohitha Bogollagama said Sri Lanka won 101 votes in its bid for a seat on the Geneva-based body, more […]
Sri Lanka lose seat on UN Human Rights Council
UNITED NATIONS, May 21, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lanka, under fire for its human rights record, was Wednesday denied a seat on the UN Human Rights Council while France and Britain edged out Spain to win re-election in a closely-watched contest in the UN General Assembly. Nineteen countries were vying for 15 coveted seats on […]
Sri Lanka Tamil Tigers say unit commander dies of heart attack
May 20, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s Tamil Tigers said Tuesday that a high-ranking rebel leader died of a sudden heart attack in the guerrilla-held northern regions.Brigadier Balraj, a special commander of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), led the rebels’ conventional fighting unit that has carried out repeated attacks on Sri Lankan troops. […]
Sri Lanka bids for UN rights council seat despite opposition
UNITED NATIONS, May 20, 2008 (AFP) – Sparks are set to fly Wednesday when 15 seats on the UN Human Rights Council come up for election, with European nations vying for influence and NGOs warning some candidates are unfit to take part.All of the United Nations’ 192 members have a say in Wednesday’s vote at […]
Sri Lanka UN rights council bid comes under fire
May 20, 2008 (AFP) – UN members should reject Sri Lanka’s re-election bid to the world body’s Human Rights Council, a rights group said Tuesday as it accused Colombo of widespread abductions and “disappearances.” The coalition also noted that the armed separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam have long been implicated in serious human rights […]
Sri Lanka fighting kills 50: ministry
May 19, 2008 (AFP) – At least 50 people have died in fresh fighting between government troops and Tamil Tiger rebels in northern Sri Lanka, the island’s defence ministry said Monday.The clashes, coinciding with a Buddhist holiday and nationwide religious services, left 40 guerillas dead and 13 soldiers killed or missing, the ministry said. The […]
Sri Lanka attacks Tiger lines in north
May 18, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lanka mounted air and ground attacks against the Tamil Tigers across the island’s embattled northern district at the weekend, killing at least 17 rebels, the defence ministry said Sunday. Russian-built Mi-24 helicopter gunships backed troops advancing towards rebel-held areas in the Mannar area on Sunday, air force spokesman Wing […]
Sri Lanka tsunami film wins recognition at Cannes
CANNES, France, May 17, 2008 (AFP) – A small flick went from refugee camp to red carpet Friday as Sean Penn, backed by rock star Bono and film-maker Michael Moore, brought an Australian aid worker’s tsunami film to the Cannes fest.Thompson, who had basic first aid training, took care of the wounded as the team […]
Sri Lanka clashes leave 16 Tiger rebels dead: military
May 17, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lankan ground troops killed at least 16 Tamil Tiger rebels while airforce fighter jets bombed guerrilla targets in the island’s north, the defence ministry said on Saturday.The air sorties were carried out over the rebel-held Iranamadu area late on Friday, the ministry said in a statement. The offensive came […]
Sri Lanka former Tamil Tiger becomes provincial chief minister
May 16, 2008 (LBO) – A former Tamil Tiger who broke away and later allied himself with the government was Friday sworn in as the chief minister of the island’s eastern province following last week’s polls. Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, also known as Pillayan, was sworn in as chief minister of the eastern provincial council by President […]
Sri Lanka capital rocked by bomb
May 16, 2008 (LBO) – A bomb blast shook the Sri Lankan capital Colombo just before noon Friday, defence officials said. The blast occured near the Sambhodi temple next to the Hotel Hilton, near which there is an army checkpoint. No details of casualties or damage were immediately available.