Category: Politics
US House of representatives pressures Sri Lanka on refugee camps
WASHINGTON, November 4, 2009 (AFP) – The US House of Representatives urged Sri Lanka’s government Wednesday to guarantee the safety and quick release of some 300,000 Tamils and other war-displaced people currently held in camps.By an overwhelming 421-1 vote, lawmakers approved a non-binding resolution that calls on the authorities in Colombo to help the populations […]
Sri Lanka military chief skips US war crimes quiz: MP
November 4, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s military commander left the United States ahead of possible questioning over alleged war crimes committed during the defeat of the island’s Tamil rebels, a legislator said Wednesday.General Sarath Fonseka headed back to Sri Lanka without facing questioning by the Department of Homeland Security later in the day, Samantha […]
Singaporean faces US trial over Tamil Tigers arms case
SINGAPORE, November 3, 2009 (AFP) – A Singaporean opposition party member will be extradited to the United States and tried for allegedly trying to supply arms to Sri Lanka’s defeated Tamil Tiger rebels, officials here said Tuesday.Businessman Balldev Naidu, 47, is facing six charges including conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organisation […]
‘s opposition unites to face snap polls
November 3, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s main opposition on Tuesday formed an alliance with minority Tamil and Muslim parties and a breakaway faction of the ruling coalition to contest possible snap elections.The next presidential poll, which was due by November 2011, will now be held before April 2010, according to the government. Opposition leader […]
US tightlipped on Sri Lanka army chief
WASHINGTON, November 2, 2009 (AFP) – The United States was tightlipped Monday about Sri Lanka’s visiting top military commander, after the island said US authorities planned to grill him over alleged war crimes.Sri Lanka summoned the US ambassador to demand the Department of Homeland Security drop with what the island’s government said were plans to […]
15 feared dead as unidentified boat sinks off Australia
SYDNEY, November 2, 2009 (AFP) – About 15 people were feared dead on Monday after a boat carrying 39 sank in rough seas far off northwest Australia despite frantic rescue attempts by a passing merchant ship and fishing vessel.Defence chief Angus Houston said the unidentified boat capsized and then sank after the LNG Pioneer ship […]
Sri Lanka protests at US plan to quiz military chief: report
November 2, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lanka summoned the United States ambassador in Colombo on Monday to protest over US plans to quiz the island’s military commander about alleged war crimes, a report said.The report covered the period from January — when fighting intensified — until the end of May, when Sri Lankan troops defeated […]
Sri Lanka protests US plans to quiz army chief
November 2, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lanka protested Monday against plans by US officials to quiz its top military commander over alleged war crimes committed during the final months of the war with Tamil Tiger rebels.The US plan to interview Fonseka followed the recent publication of a US State Department dossier outlining allegations of serious […]
Sri Lanka needs rulers who respect law and order: senior executive
Nov 01, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s private sector should support lawmakers who respect law and order to bring about a free, fair and just society, which is the basis of democracy, a senior private sector executive has said. An attempt to set up independent commissions to create institutions that serve the people without favour […]
EU pressures Sri Lanka over human rights
LUXEMBOURG, October 27, 2009 (AFP) – The European Union boosted pressure on Sri Lanka Tuesday over human rights and called for those committing abuses on the island to be investigated. Sri Lanka has said it needs to screen the civilians for former fighters. The EU statement comes a week after the bloc threatened to withdraw […]
Sri Lanka govt may sign anti-landmine treaty
October 27, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lanka may consider joining the global treaty banning landmines following the government’s defeat of separatist Tamil Tiger rebels, the army chief said on Tuesday. Sri Lanka had previously refused to sign up to the 1997 Ottawa Convention against landmines, arguing that the military could not unilaterally abandon mines in […]
Sri Lanka to probe US war crimes allegations
October 26, 2009 (AFP) – The Sri Lankan government on Monday said it would investigate war crimes allegations made against its troops in a US State Department report.Among the claims detailed in the report was the accusation that Tiger leaders reached a surrender agreement with government forces but were then executed.Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe […]