Politics

Sri Lanka bans remembrance of Tamil Tigers

COLOMBO, November 25, 2013 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s military Monday announced a ban on commemorations of the island’s defeated Tamil Tiger rebels …

Commonwealth puts on united front after summit rifts

COLOMBO, November 17, 2013 (AFP) – Commonwealth leaders agreed Sunday on steps to tackle high debt and poverty as they staged a show of unity after a …

Colombo Declaration after Sri Lanka Commonwealth summit

Nov 17, 2013 (LBO) – Leaders of Commonwealth nations have issued a declaration after meeting in Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo calling for …

Mauritius pulls out of hosting 2015 CHOGM: PM

PORT LOUIS, November 15, 2013 (AFP) – The prime minister of Mauritius said Friday his country was withdrawing as host of the next Commonwealth summit as …

Sri Lanka needs to go ‘faster’ on rights: Cameron

COLOMBO, November 16, 2013 (AFP) – Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron urged Sri Lanka Saturday to move “further and faster” to …

Sri Lanka rejects international war crimes probe

COLOMBO, November 16, 2013 (AFP) – A top minister rejected pressure Saturday for an international probe into alleged war crimes at the end of Sri …

Rajapakase seen as hero at home, despite foreign critics

COLOMBO, November 15, 2013 (AFP) – Mahinda Rajapakse may be a pariah for some of his Commonwealth peers, but for many of his fellow Sri Lankans he is a …

Sri Lanka President says Commonwealth should not be judgmental

Nov 15, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s President Mahinda Rajapaksa said the Commonwealth should not be a judgmental or punitive body at a meeting of …

Cameron visits Sri Lanka former war zone

COLOMBO, November 15, 2013 (AFP) – Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron made an historic visit Friday to Sri Lanka’s former warzone, …

Sri Lanka cracks down on opposition ahead of summit

COLOMBO, November 13, 2013 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s military stopped scores of ethnic Tamils protesters from entering the capital Wednesday ahead of a …

Sri Lanka has ‘nothing to hide’ over rights: president

COLOMBO, November 14, 2013 (AFP) – Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse said Thursday that he was ready to defend his country against allegations of …

Mauritius PM to boycott Sri Lanka Commonwealth meet

PORT LOUIS, November 12, 2013 (AFP) – The prime minister of Mauritius announced Tuesday he will stay away from this week’s Commonwealth summit in …

Prince Charles becomes pensioner with eye on the throne

LONDON, November 11, 2013 (AFP) – Britain’s heir to the throne Prince Charles can draw his state pension from Thursday when he turns 65 — …

India PM to miss Commonwealth summit in Sri Lanka

NEW DELHI, November 10, 2013 (AFP) – Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will skip this week’s Commonwealth summit in Sri Lanka, the foreign …

New Zealand PM says summit boycott ‘not the right move’

WELLINGTON, November 11, 2013 (AFP) – New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said Monday he will attend a Commonwealth summit in Sri Lanka despite his …

British TV crew behind war-crime film face Sri Lanka demo

COLOMBO, November 11, 2013 (AFP) – Pro-government activists demonstrated outside Sri Lanka’s main international airport Monday denouncing a visit …

Pressure mounts on Indian PM to boycott Commonwealth meet

NEW DELHI, November 4, 2013 (AFP) – A senior Indian minister Monday urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to boycott a Commonwealth summit in Sri Lanka …

British PM to pay visit to Sri Lanka’s ex-warzone

October 25, 2013 (AFP) – Britain’s David Cameron is set to become the first foreign leader to visit Sri Lanka’s war-torn Tamil heartland …

Sri Lanka business chamber optimistic on northern elections

Oct 21, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Ceylon Chamber of Commerce says recent elections in the former war-torn Northern Province, and subsequent events …

Britain expects ‘concrete progress’ on Sri Lanka rights

October 16, 2013 (AFP) – Britain will use next month’s Commonwealth summit in Sri Lanka to pressure Colombo to make “concrete progress” …