Category: Other
Lessons
COLOMBO, February 19, 2014 (AFP) – A Sri Lankan delegation headed to South Africa Wednesday to study the work of a post-apartheid truth commission as pressure mounts on Colombo to address allegations of war crimes against ethnic Tamils.Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva was leading a five-member team which would see what lessons it could […]
Deadly Detention
SYDNEY, February 17, 2014 (AFP) – One person was killed and 77 injured during a second night of rioting at an Australian immigration detention centre on Papua New Guinea’s Manus Island, officials said on Tuesday.“I am advised that all staff have been accounted for, our service providers are in control of the centre and there […]
Commuted
NEW DELHI, February 18, 2014 (AFP) – India’s Supreme Court commuted the death sentences Tuesday for three killers of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, citing delays in the case 23 years after he was assassinated by a Tamil suicide bomber.The top court headed by Chief Justice P. Sathasivam handed the three life in prison on […]
Probe Call
COLOMBO, February 16, 2014 (AFP) – The United Nations’ human rights chief has recommended an international investigation into war crimes committed in Sri Lanka during the final stages of its Tamil separatist conflict, a report said Sunday.The local Sunday Times newspaper in Sri Lanka said Navi Pillay has asked the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) […]
Boat People
COLOMBO, February 12, 2014 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s police arrested 75 would-be asylum seekers on Wednesday, including nine women and six children, who were trying to leave for New Zealand illegally by boat, police said.The group was arrested in the southern coastal town of Moragolla, the first large-scale arrest of nationals in months after Australia, […]
Tribute
AFP.com/Correspondent) Mel Gunasekera became AFP’s first full-time woman correspondent in Colombo when she joined in January 2007. She had covered Sri Lanka’s Tamil separatist war and its bloody finale in 2009 and was widely respected across the country.On February 2, she was murdered at her Colombo home after confronting a burglar.By Amal Jayasinghe When a […]
‘s roads
NEW DELHI, February 8, 2014 (AFP) – India’s Maruti Suzuki said Saturday it had halted production of its iconic first small car, the Maruti 800, which revolutionised road transport for millions of Indians.The boxy, four-seater hatchback — the first car ever owned by many Indian middle class families — first rolled off the production line […]
Tribute to Mel Gunasekera (1973-2014)
Tribute to Mel Gunasekera (1973-2014) The Founding Editor/ LBO This page is dedicated to the memories of Mel Gunasekera A journalist of distinction, who knew no bounds to her loyalty – to her family, profession and friends. Lakshaman Bandaranaike – Publisher LBO Mel Gunasekera (1973 -2014) Who knew no bounds to her loyalty Mel took […]
Tribute
Feb 06, 2014 (LBO) Writing being my bête noire it is with some trepidation that I write this. I can picture Mel chiding me, Aiyo, what men! Poor show Tones! The start of the week saw me wake up to yet another morning of my wife’s Facebook rituals. Only this time, it was going to […]
India eases visa rules to boost tourist numbers
NEW DELHI, February 6, 2014 (AFP) – Tourists travelling to India from 180 countries will no longer have to queue at their local consulates to obtain visas after New Delhi announced an “historic” overhaul of its strict visa regime.Most foreigners currently have to wait several weeks before learning whether they will be allowed to enter […]
Aftermath
By Nalaka Gunawardene Feb 05 – So it was a known construction worker cum odd job man who killed senior Lankan journalist Mel Gunasekera. The man, hunted down within the same day Mel was stabbed to death in her suburban home, was apparently familiar with the place and the family’s routine. When she recognised him, […]
Passing
Feb 04, 2014 (LBO) – Mel was regarded by colleagues as a hard-nosed financial journalist even after she switched to a more lucrative job with an international ratings agency, but few would have known of her other passion – motor sports and classic cars. Our last conversation a few days earlier was all about the […]