Category: Politics

Sept 13, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s military said Thursday it had bombed the rebel-held north of the island and caused “heavy damage” to Tamil Tiger targets, but rebels said the attack only sparked panic among civilians.More than 5,400 people have been killed in the fighting in the past 21 months following the breakdown of […]

OSLO, Sept 11, 2007 (AFP) – The main mediator in Sri Lanka’s peace process, Norwegian Erik Solheim, expressed confidence Tuesday that stalled talks between the army and Tamil Tiger rebels would one day start again. “It’s very clear that again they will come back to the table” of negotiations, Solheim told reporters in Oslo. “We […]

SYDNEY, Sept 12, 2007 (AFP) – Australia Wednesday granted refugee status to 72 Sri Lankan asylum-seekers who were intercepted at sea in February but said they would be settled overseas. Earlier this month two Indonesians who were on the boat with the Sri Lankans were jailed in Australia over the people-smuggling operation. A boat carrying […]

Sept 12, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has issued a tsunami warning following a 7.9 magnitude quake in Indonesia. The department of meterology asked residents of Northern, Southern and Southwestern Sri Lanka to stay away from coastal areas. The Pacific Tsunami waring center said and Indian Ocean wide tsunami watch was in effect for the […]

Sept 12, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has issued evacuation orders to people living in coastal areas after a tsunami struck the coast of Indonesia from a 8.2 magnitude earthquake. Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Centre estimates that the first waves could reach Sri Lanka by 7.30 pm local time (1400GMT) The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre […]

Sept 12, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has lifted a tsunami warning and evacuation order issued after an 8.2 magnitude earthquake generated a small wave in Indonesia. Sri Lanka lifted the warning after Indonesia gave the all clear. Police said residents along southern coastal settlements fled inland and to high ground when the tsunami alert […]

Sept 12, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s main opposition has slammed HSBC Bank over its involvement in a controversial sovereign bond issue and accused two trade chambers that came to its aid of creating a “new class of exploiters”. Last week HSBC defended itself saying it was following local rules after the opposition United National […]

Sept 11, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s defence ministry Tuesday claimed that one of the most wanted Tamil Tigers had been arrested by Interpol in Bangkok, Thailand. He and his group are suspected of running weapons purchased Thailand and neighbouring countries to the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka. Quoting ‘reliable sources from Thailand’ the ministry […]

Sept 11, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s navy sank at least three suspected Tamil Tiger gun-running vessels off the island’s southeastern sea board, navy officials said Tuesday.Clashes between suspected Tamil Tiger ships and the Sri Lankan navy have escalated in recent months amid heavy fighting in the island’s northern and eastern regions.Naval craft intercepted the […]

COLOMBO, Sept 11, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s navy on Tuesday claimed its biggest success against the Tamil Tiger rebels, saying it had virtually wiped out the separatist group’s ability to smuggle arms into the country. More than 5,400 people have been killed in a new wave of fighting since December 2005 when a Norwegian-brokered […]

Sept 8, 2007 (AFP) – At least 15 people were killed in fresh violence in Sri Lanka’s embattled northern and eastern regions, military officials said Saturday.Three soldiers and five Tamil Tiger rebels were killed in a gun battle in the northern Vavuniya region late Friday, the officials said. They said two more rebels were killed […]

PARIS, Sept 6, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s foreign minister said Thursday he had won assurances from French authorities that they will take action to curb the activities of Tamil rebel supporters in France.Sri Lankan government troops have been fighting Tamil separatist rebels since 1972 and the conflict has claimed more than 60,000 lives. Foreign […]