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Maldives court ‘arrest warrant’ for Mohamed Nasheed

BBC — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:57:46 +0000

A criminal court in the Maldives has issued an arrest warrant for former President Mohamed Nasheed, officials from his party say.

The report comes a day after Mr Nasheed was among dozens injured in Male when riot police used tear gas against protesters as unrest intensified.

Mr Nasheed resigned on Tuesday amid protests over his rule. He says he was forced to resign by security forces.

It is unclear what the charges against the former president might be.

Senior [...]

Nasheed’s family in Sri Lanka

The Sunday Leader.lk — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:32:23 +0000

The family of former Maldivian President Mohammad Nasheed arrived in Sri Lanka last night and sought refuge following the unrest in the Maldives.

Sources at the President’s office said that Nasheed’s wife Laila Ali had spoken to President Mahinda Rajapaksa over the telephone after arriving in the country.

President Rajapaksa had then telephoned the newly appointed Maldivian President Mohammed Waheed Hassan and urged him to ensure the safety of Nasheed who was arrested after he staged a protest in the Maldivian [...]

No faith in LLRC report: Sudarshini Fernandopulle

DailyMirror — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:31:11 +0000

Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle, UPFA Gampaha District MP and widow of former Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, yesterday charged that the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) had completely forgotten the victims of LTTE terrorism and that its report was not unbiased.

“I must specifically mention that I have no faith in the LLRC or its report. They never got our views though we were affected. They have forgotten the victims of LTTE terrorism and I suspect that they were catering to international pressure. [...]

Village liquidated in Mullaiththeevu

TamilNet — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:22:37 +0000

Chooriya-puram village, created by the LTTE near Keappaa-pulavu in the Puthukkudiyiruppu division of Mullaiththeevu district, to accommodate landless peasants, has been liquidated by the occupying Sinhala military that is engaged in that locality in building a 1200-acre base, news sources in Vanni said. Around 500 families of the locality have lost their living space and are degenerating in their refugee life, either staying in camps or in the houses of relatives and friends. Around 100 families of the Chooriyapuram village, [...]

Colombo media movement shows sensitivity for linking it with TNA

TamilNet — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:21:41 +0000

Colombo-based Free Media Movement (FMM) on Tuesday strongly reacted to news appearing in SL government-run ‘Dinamina’ on 03 February which had alleged that the members of the FMM had been in collaboration with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) in campaigning at Geneva against the Colombo government. Totally disowning any link with the TNA, the language and tone of the FMM press statement only show the anxiety and extra-sensitivity prevailing in Colombo’s media associations over the South perceiving any image of [...]

Ban Ki-moon Tells Press Alleged War Criminal as UN Adviser Was "Decided by States"

Inner City Press — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:10:00 +0000

Twelve days after Inner City Press began reporting on Sri Lankan alleged war criminal Shavendra Silva joining the "Senior Advisory Group on Peacekeeping Operations" of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, on Wednesday evening the question was finally put to Ban Ki-moon himself. He said, "Sri Lankan mission? It was the member states that decided."

Inner City Press had tried to ask the question during Ban’s stakeout session outside the Security Council but was not permitted to. An hour later, Ban [...]

Canadian in New York admits trying to help Tamil Tigers

The Globe and Mail — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:01:00 +0000

A Canadian man in a New York court has admitted attempting to buy sophisticated technology for the now-defeated Tamil Tiger insurgents in Sri Lanka.

Prosecutors say Ramanan Mylvaganam sought to obtain about $22,000 worth of submarine design software and night vision equipment for the separatist group, designated by the United States as a terrorist organization in 1997.

He pleaded guilty in a federal court in Brooklyn on Wednesday to conspiring to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. He faces a [...]

Maldives ex-president Mohamed Nasheed was ‘forced out’

BBC — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:25:21 +0000

Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed has said that he was forced to resign "at gunpoint" by police and army officers in a coup.

He said the move was planned with the knowledge of vice president Mohammed Waheed Hassan who has replaced him.

Mr Nasheed resigned after some security officials joined opposition protests over the removal of a top judge.

Mr Hassan denies a coup took place or that there was a pre-arranged plan for him to stage a takeover.

Hundreds of [...]

New video against the LTTE

The Sunday Leader.lk — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:20:40 +0000

The Defence Ministry released a new video on Wednesday which looks at the various crimes committed by the Tamil Tiger rebels during a brutal 30 year war.

The release of the video comes as Sri Lanka prepares to face pressure at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva later this month to probe allegations committed by the military during the war.

The Sri Lankan Media Center for National Security said that the video titled “Ruthless” recounts true accounts of survivors who once, [...]

MR to visit Pakistan on Feb 10

DailyMirror — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:33:56 +0000

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksha would reach Pakistan on a state visit from February 10 to 12 at the invitation of Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari.

During his three day visit, President Rajapaksha will meet President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani. Discussions will be held between the two sides for strengthening political, defence, cultural, tourism, media, economic, business and trade relations while forging strong bonds between the two nations.

A number of bilateral agreements are also [...]