Sri Lanka’s army says it is continuing to make advances into Tamil Tiger territory, with the president saying the war is "rapidly" nearing an end. Mahinda Rajapkasa said that Sri Lanka was on "the threshold of a new era of lasting peace". Troops were advancing in the designated no-fire zone in the north-east amid… Continue reading S Lanka army ‘maintains advance’
Author: BBC
New Sri Lanka heavy weapons row
Tamil Tiger rebels in the northern Sri Lankan war zone have accused government troops of intensifying heavy weapons attacks, killing dozens every day. The government dismissed the allegations as propaganda, saying the rebels were lying to gain international sympathy. Reports from the north-eastern battle cannot be independently verified. Separately, the government has invited… Continue reading New Sri Lanka heavy weapons row
British MPs start Sri Lanka visit
A team of British MPs has arrived in Sri Lanka to discuss the difficulties facing tens of thousands of civilians affected by the conflict in the north. The delegation includes former defence secretary Des Browne, whose appointment as Britain’s special envoy to Sri Lanka was turned down by Colombo. The MPs are to visit… Continue reading British MPs start Sri Lanka visit
Sri Lanka rejects West ‘lectures’
Sri Lanka’s President Mahinda Rajapaksa has again ruled out a ceasefire with Tamil Tiger rebels and says the West should not lecture him about it. He was speaking a day after visiting UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband and French counterpart Bernard Kouchner had called for a truce. Mr Rajapaksa said the rebels still had… Continue reading Sri Lanka rejects West ‘lectures’
Sri Lankan snub to Swedish envoy
Sri Lanka has refused entry to Sweden’s Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, who was to have joined a European mediating mission, Mr Bildt has said. Mr Bildt had been expected to arrive on Wednesday with British Foreign Secretary David Miliband and French counterpart Bernard Kouchner. No reason has yet been given for the refusal by… Continue reading Sri Lankan snub to Swedish envoy
UN envoy makes Sri Lanka aid push
The UN’s top humanitarian official has arrived in Sri Lanka to push for greater protection of civilians caught up in the conflict in the north-east. The official, John Holmes, has urged a ceasefire between the army and Tamil Tiger rebels to allow aid agencies access to civilians in the war zone. He said there… Continue reading UN envoy makes Sri Lanka aid push
Journey to Sri Lanka’s frontline
We travelled at breakneck speed across north-eastern Sri Lanka in an armoured personnel carrier. The land was flat, the reddish unmetalled road long and straight. This hot, dry midday there was no-one and nothing to impede us from hurtling along. No women and children walking in the road, as you expect in South Asia. No… Continue reading Journey to Sri Lanka’s frontline
What now for Sri Lanka’s displaced?
As Sri Lanka’s army corners Tamil Tiger rebels in a tiny sliver of land, the next test for the government lies in how it deals with the mass exodus of humanity from the war zone. The army says more than 80,000 people have fled the area in the past two days – a figure that… Continue reading What now for Sri Lanka’s displaced?
Two key Tamil Tigers surrender
Two senior Tamil Tiger rebels in Sri Lanka have surrendered to the military, the army says. It says that the rebels’ media co-ordinator, Daya Master, gave himself up along with a top interpreter, named George, who worked for senior rebels. Correspondents say that if the reports are true it will be a major setback… Continue reading Two key Tamil Tigers surrender
Mass Tamil exodus from rebel area
Sri Lanka says 63,000 Tamil civilians have escaped from the last remaining area of territory held by Tamil Tiger rebels in the past two days. The army said it had made further inroads into the small area in the north, searching for the rebel leader. It said some civilians fled by sea and were met… Continue reading Mass Tamil exodus from rebel area
