Category: Politics
Sri Lanka train blast kills seven, scores injured
May 26, 2008 (LBO) – A blast ripped through a train in a suburb of Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo during the evening rush hour, killing at least seven and injuring 62, the security media centre said. Military spokesman Udaya Nanayakkara said the blast went off near the Dehiwela station south of the capital. An official […]
Seven dead, scores hurt in Sri Lanka train bombing: military
May 26, 2008 (AFP) – At least seven people were killed and scores more wounded Monday in the bombing of a packed commuter train in the suburbs of the Sri Lankan capital by suspected Tamil rebels, officials said.The island’s military spokesman, Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara, said seven people, including a pregnant woman, were killed and another […]
Sri Lanka told by US to practice what it preaches
May 25, 2008 (LBO) – The United States has said Sri Lanka’s government must do more to stop abductions and “disappearances” and that having laws alone is not enough without ensuring actual protection of human rights. “Sri Lanka has the necessary institutional framework in place, but it needs to empower its institutions to carry out […]
” for peace, reconciliation: scholar
May 24, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka should commemorate the 25th anniversary of the July 1983 riots and put forward its best offer to the Tamil people as part of a political offensive to end the war and find peace and reconciliation, a US scholar said. William Grassie, a senior Fulbright Fellow, said the commemoration […]
Sri Lanka warplanes bomb restive north: defence ministry
May 24, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lanka warplanes bombed a suspected rebel boat yard and provided cover for ground troops pushing into rebel territory, the defence ministry said Saturday. On Saturday, the proxy Tamil National Alliance (TNA) also accused the government of carrying out attacks against civilians. “We vehemently condemn the cowardly and brutal attack […]
Sri Lanka senior journalist found assaulted
May 23, 2008 (LBO) – A senior Sri Lankan journalist was found severely assaulted in the early hours of Friday after being abducted from his home the previous night, colleagues at his newspaper said. Keith Noyahr, deputy editor of the Nation newspaper, was abducted from near his home in a suburb of Sri Lanka’s capital […]
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 mediamen protest abduction of colleague
May 23, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s media rights groups protested the abduction and assault of senior journalist of a national weekly Friday calling on authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice. “Until such time culprits are brought to book, the FMM holds the Government responsible for abduction and assault of journalist Keith Noyahr, noting […]
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 […]