Category: Politics
Sri Lanka Tigers pay homage to 356 suicide bombers
July 6, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s Tamil Tigers on Sunday commemorated 356 men and women who have staged suicide attacks since the tactic was first used by the rebels 21 years ago. The rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) said they held ceremonies in guerrilla-held Wanni region on Saturday to mark the 21st […]
Sri Lanka activists organising media boycott of South Asia summit: report
July 6, 2008 (AFP) – Media activists in Sri Lanka are organising a boycott of the upcoming South Asian summit in Colombo in protest at escalating attacks against journalists, a report said Sunday.The Lakbima News weekly said several media outlets had agreed in principle not to cover the August 1 summit of the South Asian […]
Expelled Sri Lanka ex-warlord returns from Britain
July 3, 2008 (AFP) – A former Sri Lankan Tamil guerrilla leader expelled from Britain returned Thursday after serving a brief jail term on immigration charges, officials said. Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan, also known as Colonel Karuna and who was jailed in London in January, was escorted back to Sri Lanka, airport officials said. Karuna, who led […]
Sri Lanka human rights abuses, attacks on media draw US concern
July 3, 2008 (AFP) – The United States said Thursday it had “strong concerns” about Sri Lanka’s deteriorating human rights record and escalating attacks on the local media.Deputy assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian affairs Evan Feigenbaum expressed US concerns to Sri Lankan authorities during his four-day visit which ends Thursday. “We […]
Sri Lanka fighting kills another 29: defence ministry
July 2, 2008 (AFP) – Fresh fighting between Sri Lankan government forces and Tamil Tigers has left at least another 27 rebels and two soldiers dead, the defence ministry said Wednesday. Troops shot dead 27 rebels in the districts of Vavuniya, Mannar and Mullaitivu on Tuesday, the ministry said, adding that security forces lost two […]
‘s war against journalists a conspiracy: President
July 2, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s continuing attacks on the media is a conspiracy to discredit the government, President Mahinda Rajapakse said, while the latest assault against a mediaman and a UK embassy staffer drew new condemnation.At a time when the government was fighting terror and implementing development projects, there were moves to de-stabilize […]
Sri Lankan media offers reward for tips on attackers
July 02, 2008 (LBO) – The Sri Lanka Press Institute (SLPI) and the Newspaper Publishers Association are offering a reward of five million rupees for information on the assault on journalist Namal Perera.Informants could give information that lead to the arrest of the assailants by calling 0033 147 777 414 or sending emails to helppresssrilanka@gmail.com, […]
Sri Lanka journalists protest over attacks
July 2, 2008 (AFP) – Hundreds of Sri Lankan reporters and cameramen staged a protest outside President Mahinda Rajapakse’s home Wednesday demanding an end to a wave of killings, abductions and assaults against journalists.Media workers’ associations peacefully demonstrated outside the main access to Rajapakse’s Temple Trees residence while dozens of unarmed police stood behind yellow […]
Helicopter shot while Sri Lanka president visits former war zone
July 1, 2008 (AFP) – A Sri Lankan military helicopter was hit by small arms fire in eastern Sri Lanka Tuesday as President Mahinda Rajapakse visited the region, officials said. The Bell helicopter made an emergency landing in the district of Ampara where the president was visiting to launch a 10-million dollar US-gifted bridge that […]
Sri Lanka media suppression, new attacks condemned by US
July 1, 2008 (LBO) – The United States has condemned the attack on a UK embassy staffer and journalist, calling it a “brutal and unprovoked” attack and said it was concerned at the suppression of media which was essential for democracy.The US said it hoped that a high powered ministerial committee appointed to look into […]
British High Commission staffer, journalist attacked in Colombo
June 30, 2008 (AFP) – A senior British High Commission officer was beaten and his car smashed by unidentified attackers who tried to grab a reporter travelling as a passenger in the vehicle here Monday, police said. Political officer Mahendra Ratnaweera was severely injured in the attack while his passenger, freelance journalist Namal Perera, also […]
” scare
June 30, 2008 (LBO) – The United States embassy in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo has re-opened after a suspicious powder was found to be harmless, the embassy said Monday. It said visa and other appointments postponed during the closure are being re-scheduled. The embassy was closed to the public on June 25. An embassy […]