Sri Lanka’s long-time leader Mahinda Rajapaksa has been defeated in the presidential election. Official results showed Maithripala Sirisena, a former ally of the incumbent, had won 51.3% of the vote. Mr Rajapaksa, in office since 2005, said on Twitter he looked forward to a peaceful transition of power. His supporters credit him with ending the… Continue reading Sri Lanka’s Rajapaksa suffers shock election defeat
Author: BBC
BBC News – Sri Lanka charges moderate monk critical of anti-Muslim violence
Sri Lankan police have charged a moderate Buddhist monk with falsely alleging he was abducted and assaulted. Wataraka Vijitha Thero was found tied up and wounded on Friday and arrested on his discharge from hospital. Police accuse him of changing his account of what happened and allege he injured himself. The monk is a vocal… Continue reading BBC News – Sri Lanka charges moderate monk critical of anti-Muslim violence
UN concern at Malaysia’s expulsion of Tamil Tiger suspects
The UN says it is concerned at Malaysia’s deportation of three men accused of trying to revive the Tamil Tiger rebel group to Sri Lanka. The UN’s refugee agency said two of the men were refugees and another was seeking asylum. It warned that they were now at risk of "serious harm". They are accused… Continue reading UN concern at Malaysia’s expulsion of Tamil Tiger suspects
Sri Lanka blocks Tamil memorials amid war parade
Sri Lanka has held a victory parade on the fifth anniversary of the end of its civil war, while stopping Tamils from commemorating their war dead. Security forces in the north surrounded party offices and religious sites, blocking memorial ceremonies for Tamils killed in the separatist war. Tens of thousands were killed in the long… Continue reading Sri Lanka blocks Tamil memorials amid war parade
Australia asylum: One killed in violence at PNG camp
One asylum seeker has been killed and 77 injured during a second night of violence at Australia’s immigration detention centre in Papua New Guinea. The man died of head injuries on the way to hospital, Australian Immigration Minister Scott Morrison said. Thirteen people suffered serious injuries, including two who are being transferred to Australia for… Continue reading Australia asylum: One killed in violence at PNG camp
Sri Lanka mass grave yields more skeletons
Four more human skulls have been unearthed at a mass grave discovered last month in northern Sri Lanka. The remains were recovered during excavation work at the site in Mannar district. They bring to 31 the number of skeletons or partial skeletons found there. This is the first mass grave to have been unearthed and… Continue reading Sri Lanka mass grave yields more skeletons
Britain allowed ex-SAS officers to train Sri Lankans as Tamil Tigers rebelled
Former SAS officers were allowed by the British government to train security forces in Sri Lanka around the time of the 1980s Golden Temple massacre, recently released government documents show. The disclosure comes days after documents emerged appearing to show that SAS officers were involved in training Indian troops in the months leading up to… Continue reading Britain allowed ex-SAS officers to train Sri Lankans as Tamil Tigers rebelled
India and Sri Lanka exchange fishermen at sea
India and Sri Lanka have exchanged dozens of fishermen who were jailed for straying across the maritime boundary. The handover was done at sea, in a sign of easing tensions between the two neighbouring countries. The Indian navy handed over 52 fishermen to Sri Lanka, while 51 Indians went the other way. One Indian remains… Continue reading India and Sri Lanka exchange fishermen at sea
Cameron meets Tamil leaders during symbolic visit
David Cameron has become the first foreign leader to visit northern Sri Lanka since 1948, where he met leaders of the Tamil minority in the country. The Tamils’ treatment at the end of the country’s civil war dominated the run-up to the Commonwealth summit, which opened in the capital Colombo earlier. The UK prime minister… Continue reading Cameron meets Tamil leaders during symbolic visit
UN’s Navi Pillay visits Sri Lanka former war zone
UN Human Rights Commissioner Navi Pillay has visited the former north Sri Lankan Tamil Tiger stronghold of Jaffna to meet relatives of people who disappeared at the end of the war. Tamil families complained to her about missing relatives, military land grabs and life without basic facilities. Ms Pillay is the most senior UN official… Continue reading UN’s Navi Pillay visits Sri Lanka former war zone
