Tragic Story of a ”War refugee separated from her 3 Children”
The ethnic battle continues to rage back and forth; the insurgency may have been defeated, but conflict remains in the form of words and increasingly polarised ideologies. Yet, in the midst of these vociferous exchanges, who can hear the IDPs themselves; the ones who have been firmly planted into a situation that is the direct result of a conflict they have no say in?
“Unified Tamil voice is the need of hour for Independent Tamil Eelam”
While the Sri Lankan state and its allies are relieved that the war is over in Eelam, the Tamils and their allies are in deep shock as to what will happen in the next phase of the LTTE proclaimed political/diplomatic struggle. After the LTTE leader’s decision to silence their guns, the LTTE leadership has not come out publicly to speak in front of the Tamils.
Life during peacetime: With Sri Lanka’s war over, there is no excuse for anti-Tamil policies
During the recent military campaign in Sri Lanka, this newspaper was broadly sympathetic to the Sri Lankan government’s goal of confronting and subduing the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE, also known as the Tamil Tigers), the guerilla-cum-terrorist force seeking to carve out a Tamil homeland in the northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka.
Phantom aid; The politics of humanitarianism
The US government, which wields considerable influence at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), has sought to delay Sri Lanka’s USD 1.9 billion loan appeal. Washington’s hesitance is tied to the context of the humanitarian crisis that preceded the defeat and destruction of the LTTE and the killing of its leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran.
do Indian High Commissioners dread to come to SL?
India’s High Commissioner (HC) to Sri Lanka (SL) , Alok Prasad had to leave SL even before his official term was over. It is reported that India’s Foreign Ministry is placed in a deep quandary, for there is no one to take over as the Indian HC to SL after Alok Prasad. The reason for this is, many of them who were nominated to take over the post have expressed reluctance to come to SL.
IMF loan strains Lanka‐Britain relations
Last week, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved the $ 2.6 billion loan to Sri Lanka amid opposition from several countries including the US and Britain voicing concerns over human rights abuses. Britain abstained from voting on the loan.
Rajapaksa’s “Final Resolution” of the Tamil Problem and India’s Options
The death of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam supremo, Velupillai Prabhakaran, circa May 18, 2009 remains an enigma wrapped in mystery. The exact details of what happened, we may never know. Things have never been what they appeared on surface. Colombo’s media management techniques are a legion. Therefore, peering through a looking glass into the future of Sri Lanka becomes quite problematic.
War Without End
The guns have fallen silent in Sri Lanka’s bloody civil war, but the deep wounds of ethnic animosity have not even begun to heal. An estimated 300,000 Tamil civilians remain essentially prisoners in internment camps run by a Sinhalese-dominated government.
To begin easing the deep mistrust between the communities, donor countries will have to pressure the government to be as serious about securing a just peace as it was earlier this year about winning the war.
International Press Freedom Mission chase wild geese in Sri Lanka
Lasantha knew of the consequences of his being a true journalist in Sri Lanka and had to pay the price for being one.
The International Press Freedom Mission (IPFM) in their open letter to President Rajapakse of Sri Lanka (appended) have addressed him on the premise that they were addressing a Head of a state and government with an inclination and the receptiveness for the restoration of a strong and virile democracy.
13th Amendment ghosts still rule
The Presidential helicopter was busy from Saturday (18) onwards: The President choppered over to Embilipitiya to have a series of meetings and for lunch with the Chairman of ‘The Firm’ (‘without shares’ as he points out) Chamal. He used the Pelwatte Sugar Company’s auditorium to listen to his son Namal making his maiden speech in front of him.
