A leading human rights group on Wednesday urged the United Nations to launch an independent investigation of alleged atrocities committed in the final stages of Sri Lanka’s 26-year civil war, saying the country’s own probe into the matter was flawed. Suspicions of war crimes by government forces and Tamil Tiger rebels have risen since the… Continue reading Group urges independent Sri Lanka war crimes probe
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Sri Lanka to introduce new anti-terrorism rules-report
Sri Lanka plans to bring new anti-terrorism rules into force effective on Wednesday, local media reported, replacing tough wartime emergency powers lifted this month under heavy international pressure. A nearly three-decade separatist conflict ended in 2009 with the defeat of Tamil separatists. But Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa only moved last week to end wartime… Continue reading Sri Lanka to introduce new anti-terrorism rules-report
Sri Lanka eases travel restrictions for foreigners
Foreign passport holders will now be allowed to freely visit northern Sri Lanka, officials say, much of which was severely affected by the civil war. Until now journalists and foreign nationals needed permission from the defence ministry, even though the conflict ended two years ago. But permission is still needed for NGOs that want to… Continue reading Sri Lanka eases travel restrictions for foreigners
Full story – Norwaynews.com
A Norwegian based LTTE leader Perinpanayagam Sivaparan known by his nom de guerre Nediyawan is a prominent figure and New Leader to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam had to explain himself behind closed doors to Dutch authorities in a judicial interrogation at Oslo District Court on Wednesday and Thuesday. A Dutch judge and five… Continue reading Full story – Norwaynews.com
Sri Lanka rejects secret UN war report as ‘flawed’
The Sri Lankan government has rejected a report commissioned by the UN on alleged human rights violations at the end of the country’s war two years ago. The report, by a panel of rights experts, has just been submitted to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and to the government in Colombo. Human rights groups are demanding… Continue reading Sri Lanka rejects secret UN war report as ‘flawed’
Sri Lanka risks forced war crimes probe: US
Sri Lanka could be hauled before a war crimes tribunal over the killing of "many thousands of civilians" in the final months of its separatist war with Tamil rebels, a top US official said. In the toughest warning since the end of fighting in May 2009, US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central… Continue reading Sri Lanka risks forced war crimes probe: US
Rajapaksa sued in US Courts over war-crimes, plaintiffs seek $30m in damages
Three Tamil plaintiffs whose relatives were killed in three different incidents, all considered to be war-crimes, filed a civil case in the District Court of District of Columbia against Sri Lanka’s President Mahinda Rajapaksa Friday at around 4:00 p.m, the attorney for the plaintiffs and former Assistant Deputy Attorney General of the US, Mr Bruce… Continue reading Rajapaksa sued in US Courts over war-crimes, plaintiffs seek $30m in damages
Sri Lankan Army detains Chennai advocate
Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) general secretary Vaiko on Friday wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh voicing fears about the safety of Ms. Kayalvizhi, an advocate from Chennai, who, he said, had been detained by the Sri Lankan Army after she visited Tamil-majority areas in northern Sri Lanka. Mr. Vaiko also spoke to the Prime… Continue reading Sri Lankan Army detains Chennai advocate
Fox cancels trip amid Sri Lanka War Crimes accusations
Liam Fox, the British defence secretary whose friendship with Sri Lanka’s President has been in the news during Rajapakse’s visit to the UK early this month, was tonight forced to abandon a private visit to Sri Lanka this weekend after a row with William Hague, who feared that Fox would upset Britain’s carefully balanced approach… Continue reading Fox cancels trip amid Sri Lanka War Crimes accusations
Sri Lanka Tamils concerned over national anthem
Sri Lanka’s Tamils expressed concern on Monday over a media report suggesting that the government was set to ban singing the national anthem in their language. The main Tamil party, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), said it was seeking clarification from the government, which is dominated by the majority Sinhalese ethnic group. "At a time… Continue reading Sri Lanka Tamils concerned over national anthem