Category: Politics

Nov 9, 2006 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s government Thursday expressed “regret” over the killing of some 65 civilians in an artillery blitz on the rebel-held east of the island, but blamed the Tamil Tigers for using human shields.Government defence spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said the military had targeted two Tamil Tiger artillery positions in Wednesday’s attack […]

COLOMBO, Nov 9, 2006 (AFP) – A heavy sea battle erupted in northern Sri Lanka Thursday after Tamil Tiger rebels staged a suicide attack against a navy gunboat, military sources said.The battle came as the government expressed “regret” over the killing of up to 65 civilians in an attack on suspected Tamil Tiger positions in […]

Nov 9, 2006 (AFP) – Norway said Thursday it had demanded an immediate explanation from Sri Lanka for a grenade attack against unarmed Nordic truce monitors.Aid Minister Erik Solheim said the Norwegian-led Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) came under grenade attack in the island’s north Wednesday while examining a route to the Jaffna peninsula. “It […]

Nov 9, 2006 (AFP) – Tamil Tigers sank two naval gunboats and captured four sailors in a fierce sea battle Thursday, the rebels said, as Sri Lanka expressed regret over the killing of 65 civilians in an artillery blitz. The rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) said they sank two Dvora gunboats and damaged […]

Nov 8, 2006 (AFP) – At least 65 civilians were killed and about 300 injured Wednesday when government forces shelled a refugee camp in eastern Sri Lanka, Tamil rebels and medical sources said.The bodies of the victims were brought to the Vakarai hospital inside the rebel-held part of Batticaloa following heavy artillery duels, while the […]

Nov 8, 2006 (AFP) – Norwegian observers in Sri Lanka were fired on by government forces during attacks on Wednesday which killed at least 65 civilians and injured about 300, Norwegian Aid Minister Erik Solheim told Norway’s NRK broadcaster. The conflict has killed more than 60,000 people since 1972, with rebels fighting for a separate […]

Nov 7, 2006 (AFP) – Five civilians were wounded after Tamil rebels and troops in eastern Sri Lanka traded mortar fire Tuesday, the defence ministry claimed and police found three bullet-riddled bodies in the region.Mortars fell near a temple, church and a railway station in the Morakotanchenai village and wounded at least five civilians, the […]

COLOMBO, Nov 7, 2006 (AFP) – The United Nations Tuesday welcomed Sri Lanka’s move to probe the killing of hundreds of civilians by troops and Tamil Tigers, but said a broader international mechanism was needed to check rights abuses. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour said in a statement that Monday’s […]

Nov 6, 2006 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s military and Tamil Tiger rebels Monday accused each other of initiating artillery attacks in the island’s restive east as both sides braced for a major offensive in the region.“Ground and intelligence sources have confirmed that the Tigers are preparing to launch a major offensive south of Maavilaru, Kadjuwatte […]

COLOMBO, Nov 5 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s military and Tamil Tiger rebels are again accusing each other of gearing up for war after peace talks collapsed in Switzerland, with analysts saying an upsurge in violence is inevitable.The government and the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) failed a week ago to buy time for […]

COLOMBO, Nov 4 (AFP) – A powerful Claymore mine exploded in northeastern Sri Lanka Saturday, killing two sailors, military officials said.The rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) set off the surface mounted mine at Nilaveli, a former popular tourist spot, as sailors were on a foot patrol, a local official said. “One died on […]

Nov 3, 2006 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s defence ministry said Friday the Tamil Tiger rebels were gearing up for a major offensive following the latest peace talks failure and ahead of their leader’s birthday later this month.The ministry said the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had stepped up artillery and mortar attacks against security […]