Category: Politics
Sri Lanka navy chief urges common approach to maritime security
May 21, 2009 (LBO) – Indian Ocean navies need to co-operate better to ensure adequate responses to challenges ranging from terrorism to natural disasters, Sri Lankan navy commander Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda said.It would be based on a consensual and co-operative approach to find remedies for regional maritime security concerns. “This forum will be a springboard […]
Russia welcomes Sri Lanka defeat of Tamil Tigers
MOSCOW, May 19, 2009 (AFP) – Russia on Tuesday welcomed Sri Lanka’s announcement of the Tamil Tiger rebels’ defeat, saying it supported the Asian government’s “fight against terrorism.” Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapakse on Tuesday announced the final defeat of the Tamil Tigers, even as rebels insisted their leader was still alive and vowed to […]
UN rights body to hold special meeting on Sri Lanka
GENEVA, May 19, 2009 (AFP) – The UN human rights council will hold a special session next week on the situation in Sri Lanka after the end of Asia’s longest running civil war, a statement said Tuesday. “It is hoped that the holding of this special session will contribute towards the cause of peace”, said […]
Sri Lanka needs new power sharing deal to end conflict: US
May 20, 2009 (LBO) – The United States said a new power sharing deal and tolerance was required to achieve lasting peace in Sri Lanka and truly defeat terrorism.“The United States welcomes the cessation of fighting in Sri Lanka and the apparent conclusion to its long-running conflict,” a statement issued by the US embassy in […]
Sri Lanka fugitive Tigers shot as nation celebrates victory
May 20, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lanka celebrated victory over the Tamil Tigers with a national holiday on Wednesday as the army hunted down fugitive rebels, shooting dead eight thought to have escaped from the final battle.Under international pressure to reach out to the Tamil minority, President Mahinda Rajapakse vowed on Tuesday that a political […]
Sri Lanka detains war zone doctors
May 18, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lanka has detained four doctors who worked inside Tamil Tiger territory, treating wounded civilians and providing reports on heavy civilian casualties that contradicted government accounts, an official said Monday.Doctors Thurairaja Varatharajah, Thangamuttu Sathyamurthi and V.Shanmugarajah were arrested when they crossed over to government territory on Sunday. Another doctor and […]
Tamil Tigers decimated, Sri Lanka president to give victory speech
May 19, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s President Mahinda Rajapakse is to deliver a victory speech to parliament Tuesday following the bloody defeat of the Tamil Tigers and their decades-old war for an independent ethnic homeland. Government commandos on Monday stormed into the last tiny patch of jungle held by the guerrillas, killing Tamil Tiger […]
Sri Lanka declares final victory over Tigers
May 18, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s military declared a final victory Monday in its decades-old conflict with the Tamil Tigers, after routing the remnants of the rebel army and killing its leader Velupillai Prabhakaran.“All military operations have come to a stop,” army chief Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka said in a statement after troops overran […]
” during hostage rescue
May 17, 2009 (AFP) – Sri Lanka said Sunday there was no “bloodbath” during its “rescue” of tens of thousands of civilians held hostage by Tamil Tiger rebels.“There was no bloodbath as some people feared,” Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe told reporters.“Everybody has come out safely and they are being looked after by the government.” […]
‘s son, three top leaders killed: military
May 18, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka Army special forces soldiers have found a body suspected to be of Charles Anthony, the elder son of Tamil Tiger chief Velupillai Prabhakaran Monday morning, the defence ministry said in a statement. The body was found in the Karayamullavaikkal area, on a small coastal strip in the island’s […]
”: former mediator
OSLO, May 17, 2009 (AFP) – Peace is far from being won in Sri Lanka, despite the government’s claims to have scored a crushing military victory against Tamil Tiger rebels, the former negotiator in the conflict said Sunday. “Peace is long from being won,” said Minister of Environment and International Development Erik Solheim. “The Sri […]
Sri Lanka military says Tamil Tiger leader alive, surrounded
May 18, 2009 (AFP) – The leader of Sri Lanka’s Tamil Tiger rebels is alive but totally surrounded by government troops in a small jungle area, a military spokesman said Monday. Military sources said about 200 Tiger fighters were believed killed on Monday, but the military has not yet released photographs of the bodies.Brigadier Udaya […]