Home
LATEST on SATP
Search
SEARCH ON SATP
SEARCH TERRORISM UPDATE
KEYWORD
Keyword is required.
START DATE
END DATE
KEYWORD
Keyword is required.
START DATE
END DATE
South Asia
Assessments
Backgrounder
Bibliography
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Afghanistan
Assessments
Backgrounder
Bibliography
Conflict Maps
Data Sheet
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Capital Region
Kabul
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
East Afghanistan
Kapisa
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Kunar
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Laghman
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Nangarhar
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Nuristan
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Panjsher
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Parwan
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
North Afghanistan
Badakhshan
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Baghlan
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Balkh
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Faryab
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Jowzjan
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Kunduz
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Samangan
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Sar-e-Pul
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Takhar
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
South Afghanistan
Daykundi
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Kandahar
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Uruzgan
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Zabul
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Southwest Afghanistan
Helmand
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Nimroz
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Southeast Afghanistan
Bamyan
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Ghazni
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Khost
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Logar
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Paktika
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Paktiya
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Wardak
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
West Afghanistan
Badghis
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Farah
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Ghor
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Herat
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Bangladesh
Assessments
Backgrounder
Bibliography
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Islamist Terrorism
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Left-wing Extremism
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Bhutan
Assessments
Backgrounder
Bibliography
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Central
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Eastern
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Southern
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Western
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
India
Assessments
Backgrounder
Bibliography
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Jammu & Kashmir
Assessments
Backgrounder
Bibliography
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Maoist Insurgency
Assessments
Backgrounder
Bibliography
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Andhra Pradesh
Assessments
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Bihar
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Chhattisgarh
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Goa
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Gujarat
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Haryana
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Jharkhand
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Karnataka
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Kerala
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Madhya Pradesh
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Maharashtra
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Odisha
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Rajasthan
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Tamil Nadu
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Telangana
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Uttar Pradesh
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Uttarakhand
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
West Bengal
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Insurgency North East
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Arunachal Pradesh
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Assam
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Manipur
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Meghalaya
Assessments
Backgrounder
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Mizoram
Assessments
Backgrounder
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Nagaland
Assessments
Backgrounder
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Tripura
Assessments
Backgrounder
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Punjab
Assessments
Backgrounder
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
ISLAMIST/OTHER CONFLICTS
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Andhra Pradesh
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Bihar
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Chandigarh (UT)
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Chhattisgarh
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Delhi
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Goa
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Gujarat
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Haryana
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Himachal Pradesh
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Jharkhand
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Karnataka
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Kerala
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Madhya Pradesh
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Maharashtra
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Odisha
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Pondicherry
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Rajasthan
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Sikkim
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Tamil Nadu
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Telangana
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Uttar Pradesh
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Uttarakhand
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
West Bengal
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Maldives
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Proviencs
Dhekunu (South)
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Mathi Dhekunu (Upper South)
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Mathi Uthuru (Upper North)
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Medhu (Central)
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Medhu Dhekunu (South Central)
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Medhu Uthuru (North Central)
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Uthuru (North)
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Nepal
Assessments
Bibliography
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Provinces
Province No. 1
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Province No. 2
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Province No. 3
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Province No. 4
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Province No. 5
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Province No. 6
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Province No. 7
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Pakistan
Assessments
Backgrounder
Bibliography
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Balochistan
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
FATA
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Islamabad Capital Territory
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Pakistan Occupied kashmir
Azad Kashmir
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Gilgit-Baltistan
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Punjab
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Sindh
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Sri Lanka
Assessments
Bibliography
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Provinces
Central Province
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Eastern Province
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
North Central Province
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
North Western Province
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Northern Province
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Sabaragamua Province
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Southern Province
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Uva Province
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Western Province
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Arunachal Pradesh
Assessments
Backgrounder
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Assam
Assessments
Backgrounder
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Jammu & Kashmir
Assessments
Backgrounder
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Manipur
Assessments
Backgrounder
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Meghalaya
Assessments
Backgrounder
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Mizoram
Assessments
Backgrounder
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Nagaland
Assessments
Backgrounder
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Punjab
Assessments
Backgrounder
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Tripura
Assessments
Backgrounder
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Maoist Insurgency
Assessments
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Andhra Pradesh
Assessments
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Bihar
Assessments
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Chhattisgarh
Assessments
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Goa
Timelines
Gujarat
Timelines
Haryana
Timelines
Jharkhand
Assessments
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Karnataka
Timelines
Kerala
Assessments
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Madhya Pradesh
Assessments
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Maharashtra
Assessments
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Odisha
Assessments
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Rajasthan
Timelines
Tamil Nadu
Timelines
Telangana
Assessments
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Uttar Pradesh
Timelines
Uttarakhand
Timelines
West Bengal
Assessments
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
ASSESSMENTS
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
Maldives
Nepal
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
BACKGROUNDER
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
Maldives
Nepal
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
Maldives
Nepal
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
CONFLICT MAPS
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
Maldives
Nepal
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
DATA SHEETS
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
Maldives
Nepal
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
DOCUMENTS
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
Maldives
Nepal
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
TERRORIST GROUPS
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
Maldives
Nepal
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
TIMELINES
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
Maldives
Nepal
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
BOOKS
The Knights of Falsehood
The Global Threat of Terror
Book Store
TERRORISM UPDATE
VIDEOS
FREEDOM FROM FEAR
WAR WITHIN BORDERS
SECOND SIGHT
ICM IN MEDIA
EXTERNAL RESOURCES
RISK ALERT
ISLAMIST EXTREMISM & TERRORISM IN SOUTH ASIA
SEMINARS/WORKSHOPS/PROJECTS/REPORTS
NA
Statement:2010
Read more...
Date
Incidents
January - 4 
Daily News reported that the Vavuniya Police Crime Unit unearthed a large haul of arms and explosives, including slain Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leader Velupillai Prabhakaran’s personal rifle together along with body armour in Wellamullivaikkal on January 4. Senior Deputy Inspector Gen
Read more...
Daily News reported that the Vavuniya Police Crime Unit unearthed a large haul of arms and explosives, including slain Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leader Velupillai Prabhakaran’s personal rifle together along with body armour in Wellamullivaikkal on January 4. Senior Deputy Inspector General (North) Nimal Lewke said on information gathered from one of the personal bodyguards of the slain LTTE leader, a special team from the Vavuniya Police recovered over 2,000 kilograms of high explosives and Prabhakaran’s personal rifle. "They uncovered an M-16A2 with a grenade launcher along with a body armour that was believed to be used by the LTTE leader. The body armour was specially tailored for the LTTE leader", Lewke told the Daily News. The arms and explosives were carefully concealed and buried in the Wellamullivaikkal jungle. Police recovered two boat engines, a 40 horse power engine, 18 Arul bombs, 2,000 kilograms of RDX explosives, 88 suicide kits, two claymore mines, 17 of 60-mm mortar bombs, two weapon chargers, 20 pouches, 122 full switches, ten of 60-mm artillery shell chargers, 50 detonators, 2,500 of 7.62 ammunition, 250 grams gun powder, a torpedo, 25 anti-personnel mines, 25 artillery boosters, 46 artillery fuses, a disposable RPG weapon, 15 hand grenades, 16 of 14.5 weapon barrels, two automatic shot guns, 50 claymore stands, a large quantity of dead code wire, 20 remote control switches and eight suicide kit switches.
Read less...
January - 4 
Seeking the support of TNA at the upcoming presidential elections, Fonseka has offered to grant amnesty to all the detained LTTE cadres if he is elected. He pledged in a proposal submitted to the TNA that he would take measures to offer amnesty to all LTTE cadres in detention if he becomes President
Read more...
Seeking the support of TNA at the upcoming presidential elections, Fonseka has offered to grant amnesty to all the detained LTTE cadres if he is elected. He pledged in a proposal submitted to the TNA that he would take measures to offer amnesty to all LTTE cadres in detention if he becomes President. In the proposal titled "Immediate Relief Measures for war affected persons" Fonseka says the LTTE cadres will either be charged or released within one month. The proposal also calls for dismantling the high security zones in the country and remove the emergency rule that is in force now. The proposal also says that he will dismantle all para-military cadres and armed groups. General Fonseka has submitted the proposal to the TNA leader R. Sampanthan on January 4.
Read less...
January - 5 
Chief Government Whip and Urban Development and Sacred Area Development Minister Dinesh Gunawardena told Parliament on January 5 that the 17th Amendment to the Constitution is now defunct and there was no use in taking up its provisions. Answering a question to why the Police Commission is not estab
Read more...
Chief Government Whip and Urban Development and Sacred Area Development Minister Dinesh Gunawardena told Parliament on January 5 that the 17th Amendment to the Constitution is now defunct and there was no use in taking up its provisions. Answering a question to why the Police Commission is not established, the Minister said the 17th Amendment now had no practical value. As the provisions of the 17th Amendment are not functioning, powers are now vested with the relevant Ministers to act answering to the situation, he said. "For the State of defunct of the 17th Amendment to the Constitution both the Government and the Opposition must take the shared responsibility and the blame," he said. Gunawardena said Ministers do not interfere with Police affairs as alleged by the Opposition MP and denied that there were any political interference.
Read less...
January - 5 
President Mahinda Rajapakse on January 5 stressed that he would never merge the North and the East under his administration, Daily News reported. He said certain elements in the Opposition are changing its tune when they go to the North with the sole objective of winning the election. Earlier media
Read more...
President Mahinda Rajapakse on January 5 stressed that he would never merge the North and the East under his administration, Daily News reported. He said certain elements in the Opposition are changing its tune when they go to the North with the sole objective of winning the election. Earlier media reports indicated that the joint opposition Presidential candidate General (retired) Sarath Fonseka had agreed to the pro-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Tamil National Alliance’s (TNA) demand that the Tamil-speaking Northern and Eastern Provinces be merged once again to form a single Tamil province.
Read less...
January - 6 
Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said 14 conditions put forwarded by TNA to the Government were turned-down at the first instance because of the threat to national security posed by the proposals. The Minister pointed out that this proposal has been drafted by the legal advisor of LTTE, V Ru
Read more...
Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said 14 conditions put forwarded by TNA to the Government were turned-down at the first instance because of the threat to national security posed by the proposals. The Minister pointed out that this proposal has been drafted by the legal advisor of LTTE, V Rudrakumaran who participated for peace talks with the then United National Party (UNP) Government. He accused TNA for activating LTTE agenda in a different face and vowed to defeat them politically at the January 26th election. "President Rajapakse has defeated the LTTE militarily and now ready to defeat them politically as well," the Media Minister explained. Reportedly the UNP Member of Parliament Jayalath Jayewardene together with some key NGO leaders has fixed this political Agreement between the TNA and General Fonseka.
Read less...
January - 6 
The pro-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) party Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has decided to support the common opposition candidate General Sarath Fonseka at the forthcoming presidential election on several conditions, reported Colombo Page. The TNA parliamentary group leader R. Sampanthan to
Read more...
The pro-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) party Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has decided to support the common opposition candidate General Sarath Fonseka at the forthcoming presidential election on several conditions, reported Colombo Page. The TNA parliamentary group leader R. Sampanthan told reporters in the afternoon of January 6 that opposition candidate agreed to implement TNA's proposal when he is elected to the post of President in Sri Lanka. The TNA leader, however, has refused to give details of the confidential agreement they have inked with General Fonseka. "The General primarily agreed to withdraw the High Security Zones in North and East and he also agreed to merge the Northern and eastern Provinces," Sampanthan said, adding, "Apart from that common-amnesty would be granted for LTTE suspects who are in government custody." He further added, "President Mahinda Rajapakse has refused to implement these two proposals put forwarded by us when we met him recently but General Fonseka and the UNP has agreed to implement it."
Read less...
January - 6 January - 7
The slain Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabakaran’s father Thiruvengadam Velupillai passed away on January 6, Sri Lanka military said on January 7, reported The Hindu. The military found Prabakaran’s parents, on information provided by the Eelam War IV War displaced, in o
Read more...
The slain Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabakaran’s father Thiruvengadam Velupillai passed away on January 6, Sri Lanka military said on January 7, reported The Hindu. The military found Prabakaran’s parents, on information provided by the Eelam War IV War displaced, in one of the Government run camps in Vavuniya District in the last week of May 2009. Military spokesperson Udaya Nayanakkara said the parents of Prabhakaran were moved into protective custody after their identities were established. Prabakaran’s father was a former Government servant who retired as district lands officer and hailed from Velvattithurai. He has been in ill health for some time, the spokesman added.
Read less...
January - 7 
A total number of 16,989 Internally Displaced People (IDP) have been resettled and around 82,940 war displaced are living in eight IDP centres in Vavuniya and two other camps in Jaffna, reported Daily News. Addressing the media at the Media Centre for National Security, Disaster Management and Human
Read more...
A total number of 16,989 Internally Displaced People (IDP) have been resettled and around 82,940 war displaced are living in eight IDP centres in Vavuniya and two other camps in Jaffna, reported Daily News. Addressing the media at the Media Centre for National Security, Disaster Management and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said currently around 79,965 IDPs are living in eight camps in Vavuniya while another 1,342 IDPs are living in two camps in Jaffna and 1,626 persons in hospitals and with their relatives. "Nearly 2,715 IDPs out of 19,683 displaced persons who left their IDP centres following freedom of movement did not report back. If they do not return, we are not going to go behind them. It is up to them come back or stay where they are", he added.
Read less...
January - 7 
Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare Minister Keheliya Rambukwelle said the LTTE and the TNA were part and parcel of the same team which tried to attain the Eelam goal through different means and they have gained a new life after their May 18 defeat with the General (retired) Sarath Fonseka grou
Read more...
Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare Minister Keheliya Rambukwelle said the LTTE and the TNA were part and parcel of the same team which tried to attain the Eelam goal through different means and they have gained a new life after their May 18 defeat with the General (retired) Sarath Fonseka group teaming up with the TNA. This new alliance has offered the LTTE Diaspora abroad an opportunity for rejoicing. Sarath Fonseka and his supporters have committed the greatest betrayal in history by helping the separatist terrorists to achieve through alternative means an objective they could not gain through 30 years of war for petty political gain, said Rambukwelle.
Read less...
January - 7 
Minister Yapa said the Tamil people in the North are gradually being inducted into the democratic way of life. The High Security Zones established in Jaffna at the time of war are being gradually removed.
Read more...
Minister Yapa said the Tamil people in the North are gradually being inducted into the democratic way of life. The High Security Zones established in Jaffna at the time of war are being gradually removed.
Read less...
January - 7 
The direction pursued by the Government towards fulfilling the aspirations of the Tamil people is vastly different to that which is being followed by the Tamil national Alliance (TNA) led by R. Sampanthan, Investment Promotion Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa told the Media at the Cabinet briefing
Read more...
The direction pursued by the Government towards fulfilling the aspirations of the Tamil people is vastly different to that which is being followed by the Tamil national Alliance (TNA) led by R. Sampanthan, Investment Promotion Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa told the Media at the Cabinet briefing on January 7, reported Daily News. While the object of President Mahinda Rajapakse was to liberate the Tamils from the grip of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), the TNA always tried to drive them into the separatist ideal with the influence of the LTTE, the Minister added. He recalled the trauma and sufferings endured by the Tamils under the lawless LTTE and said the TNA is trying to repeat the same scenario through different means by linking with their (LTTE’s) counterparts abroad. He also said that TNA or Sampanthan never even tried to give ear to the cry for democracy of the Tamil people, by supporting to LTTE separatists agenda.
Read less...
January - 7 
The TNA Parliamentarian K. Thurairetnasingam said the party is extending its support to Sarath Fonseka at the Presidential election after getting him to agree to a number of conditions. In an interview with Vasanthan FM, Thurairetnasingam said Fonseka agreed to comply with all their conditions and t
Read more...
The TNA Parliamentarian K. Thurairetnasingam said the party is extending its support to Sarath Fonseka at the Presidential election after getting him to agree to a number of conditions. In an interview with Vasanthan FM, Thurairetnasingam said Fonseka agreed to comply with all their conditions and the party signed an agreement with him covering these issues. He reiterated that Fonseka and opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe signed this agreement and the copies of this agreement were sent to the foreign representatives too. "We have already informed about this agreement to diplomats and the foreign Governments," he said. He said the TNA will never deviate from its policy of establishing an autonomous regime for the Tamil speaking people, saying, "We do not want the 13th Amendment. We have no confidence in the 13th Amendment." He stressed that they want an autonomous regime with all powers. Thurairetnasingam said: "The President did not comply with our conditions and therefore this Government should be overthrown."
Read less...
January - 7 
The United Nations Human Right expert said on January 7 that the execution video depicting alleged execution of Tamil prisoners by Sri Lankan soldiers is authentic and called for an inquiry into possible war crimes during the final stages of the conflict between the Government forces and LTTE milita
Read more...
The United Nations Human Right expert said on January 7 that the execution video depicting alleged execution of Tamil prisoners by Sri Lankan soldiers is authentic and called for an inquiry into possible war crimes during the final stages of the conflict between the Government forces and LTTE militants, according to Colombo Page. In a press statement the UN said Philip Alston, the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, commissioned three experts in forensic pathology, forensic video analysis, and firearm evidence to examine the video, after concluding that the investigations carried out by the Government had not been thorough or impartial. "The conclusion clearly is that the video is authentic," Alston told the media at a news conference in New York. "I have therefore called on the Government of Sri Lanka to respond to these allegations," he emphasized. The video was first aired by the British Television station Channel 4 in August 2009.
Read less...
January - 9 
Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara told the BBC Sinhala that just over 11,000 LTTE suspects are in custody, following the release of 712 former LTTE combatants on January 9.
Read more...
Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara told the BBC Sinhala that just over 11,000 LTTE suspects are in custody, following the release of 712 former LTTE combatants on January 9.
Read less...
January - 10 
Thousands of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suspects in government custody will not be released soon, said Power and Energy Minister W. D. J. Seneviratne, according to BBC. He said there were a "considerable number of suicide bombers" among the 14,000 detainees. Seneviratne added some 14,00
Read more...
Thousands of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suspects in government custody will not be released soon, said Power and Energy Minister W. D. J. Seneviratne, according to BBC. He said there were a "considerable number of suicide bombers" among the 14,000 detainees. Seneviratne added some 14,000 suspected cadres of the LTTE are being held in various detention centres. "These people are not somebody we can release soon, because some of them are suspected to be connected to very serious incidents," he said.
Read less...
January - 12 
President Mahinda Rajapakse, seeking a second term in the January 26 poll, on January 12 said Tamils would be given a greater say in matters of governance through devolution of powers to provinces and promised to create an upper House in Parliament by proposing an amendment in the Constitution, repo
Read more...
President Mahinda Rajapakse, seeking a second term in the January 26 poll, on January 12 said Tamils would be given a greater say in matters of governance through devolution of powers to provinces and promised to create an upper House in Parliament by proposing an amendment in the Constitution, reported The Hindu. Rajapakse said: “The end of the war does not mean the end of the conflict. We need to politically address the needs of Tamils.” The President also said he planned to hold discussions with various Tamil groups on holding of the early Northern Provincial election and also consult all parties in a bid to hammer out consensus on a political solution to the ethnic conflict acceptable to all stakeholders. On his promises of a political solution and more powers to provinces the President, he said: “All this will require amending the Constitution and seeking the approval of the people in a referendum. The ordinary people simply want to live in peace, but there is a demand and a need for a political settlement.” Emphasising that he did not consider Tamil as minorities, the President said he wanted to treat all the citizens of Sri Lanka as equal and give them equal rights.
Read less...
January - 13 
President Mahinda Rajapakse on January 13 said he will present his own solution to the problem of the people of the North and East during his second term, reported Daily News. He said they have seen a number of All Party Committees appointed to find a solution with no agreement reached on a solution
Read more...
President Mahinda Rajapakse on January 13 said he will present his own solution to the problem of the people of the North and East during his second term, reported Daily News. He said they have seen a number of All Party Committees appointed to find a solution with no agreement reached on a solution. “Therefore, I would present my own solution so that all parties and groups could discuss it and arrive at a solution accepted to all groups in the country,” the President added. “We have to ensure that all ethnic or religious groups enjoy equal rights in an undivided country,” he stressed. Asked about the stance of taken by the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) to support the Opposition, the President said the TNA met him and made certain demands like merging the de-merged Northern and Eastern Province, adding,” I could not agree. My policy is the unitary status of the country.”
Read less...
January - 13 
The Sri Lankan Government is taking measures to thwart any attempt by the remaining Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres and its overseas supporters from resurrecting the vanquished terrorist outfit, the Foreign Ministry said, according to Colombo Page. The Foreign Affairs Minister, Rohith
Read more...
The Sri Lankan Government is taking measures to thwart any attempt by the remaining Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres and its overseas supporters from resurrecting the vanquished terrorist outfit, the Foreign Ministry said, according to Colombo Page. The Foreign Affairs Minister, Rohitha Bogollagama issuing a statement on the "Achievements and Vision of Sri Lanka's foreign policy" said the Ministry and its missions abroad will work on a diverse and extensive campaign to prevent the LTTE from resurfacing. "Our Missions abroad have been advised to proactively work with members of the Sri Lankan Diaspora to counter the attempts of LTTE elements abroad to politicize and radicalize the youth from the Tamil Diaspora," the statement said. The Foreign Minister said that during the last four years the missions abroad mainly focused on dismantling the LTTE terror network abroad and countering their misinformation propaganda against the government while seeking to attract foreign investments and technical assistance for development work that continued in parallel. The Minister emphasized that significant progress have been made regarding the LTTE threat and pointed out that the LTTE is banned in 33 countries today. Despite the progress, the Minister pledged not to let down the guards and to continue the efforts in taking the necessary follow up action on counter terrorism measures that need continuous vigilance and monitoring.
Read less...
January - 14 
The Norwegian Council of Eelam Tamils (NCET) on the Tamil festival day of Pongkal, January 14, announced initiation of three global committees: a Monitoring Committee to help and coordinate polls mandating Tamil Eelam as well as constitutions cum elections for people’s councils in various countries;
Read more...
The Norwegian Council of Eelam Tamils (NCET) on the Tamil festival day of Pongkal, January 14, announced initiation of three global committees: a Monitoring Committee to help and coordinate polls mandating Tamil Eelam as well as constitutions cum elections for people’s councils in various countries; an Exploration Committee to examine the possibilities of founding a diplomatic centre in Oslo to represent the people’s councils and a Representative Committee to discuss apex coordination or united functioning with other constructs that emerge with national thinking, reported pro-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Website Tamil Net. The NCET statement named S. Pradeep and Krishanthi Sakthithasan of France as international coordinator and spokesperson respectively for the said initiatives.
Read less...
January - 15 
President Mahinda Rajapakse said that Sri Lanka still faces a severe threat from separatists though the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has been militarily crushed and the country united after a 30-year war, reported The Island. The President revealed a threat posed by the LTTE operatives in
Read more...
President Mahinda Rajapakse said that Sri Lanka still faces a severe threat from separatists though the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has been militarily crushed and the country united after a 30-year war, reported The Island. The President revealed a threat posed by the LTTE operatives in the Jaffna peninsula. According to him, the area had not been cleared fully and the operatives could be as high as 10 per cent of the total population in the District. The President said that the LTTE and agents would do anything to advance their cause. He said people should recognise the growing threat to the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The President accused the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress leader Rauff Hakeem of trying to revive the separatist movement once spearheaded by the LTTE. He said that a fresh threat of terrorism would cause another disaster.
Read less...
January - 15 
The President further said that the Government would gradually ease security restrictions imposed in the Northern and Eastern Provinces as well as other parts of the country because the LTTE no longer posed a conventional military threat. Emphasising his readiness to scale down High Security Zones (
Read more...
The President further said that the Government would gradually ease security restrictions imposed in the Northern and Eastern Provinces as well as other parts of the country because the LTTE no longer posed a conventional military threat. Emphasising his readiness to scale down High Security Zones (HSZs) in the Jaffna peninsula, the President said that could not be done overnight. The LTTE, too, had maintained HSZs, the President said.
Read less...
January - 20 
The subtle aim of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) is to obtain a self governing unit for the North and East through Ranil Wickremasinghe’s intervention by getting a retired general elected to power, said vocational and Technical Training Minister Piyasena Gamage addressing a seminar attended by te
Read more...
The subtle aim of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) is to obtain a self governing unit for the North and East through Ranil Wickremasinghe’s intervention by getting a retired general elected to power, said vocational and Technical Training Minister Piyasena Gamage addressing a seminar attended by teachers at the A.N. Reception hall, Balapitiya on January 10, Daily News reports on January 20 (today). Gamage said that all patriotic people should rally round to safeguard the hard won freedom because the United National Party (UNP) was trying to topple President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his Government in connivance with unpatriotic forces and international conspirators. He also said that the Government had called the Presidential election after gaining a convincing victory in a series of provincial and local elections.
Read less...
January - 21 
According to Defence Ministry report, the Bishop of Jaffna Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Saundranayagam said, "Jaffna is returning to normal. The A-9 road has been re-opened and civilians can now use the road. Lorries are daily bringing goods to Jaffna and also agricultural and fishing products are being sent
Read more...
According to Defence Ministry report, the Bishop of Jaffna Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Saundranayagam said, "Jaffna is returning to normal. The A-9 road has been re-opened and civilians can now use the road. Lorries are daily bringing goods to Jaffna and also agricultural and fishing products are being sent to Colombo and other parts of the country." The report said that there is an improvement in the livelihood of the civilians of the Jaffna Peninsula, as the President has eliminated terrorism and also re-opened the A-9 Highway linking the North and the South.
Read less...
January - 21 
The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on January 21 (today) expressed his concern over the escalating pre-election violence in the country in the run up to the presidential elections on January 26, reports Colombo Page. The fierce contest between the two main presidential candidates,
Read more...
The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on January 21 (today) expressed his concern over the escalating pre-election violence in the country in the run up to the presidential elections on January 26, reports Colombo Page. The fierce contest between the two main presidential candidates, incumbent President Mahinda Rajapakse and common opposition candidate retired General Sarath Fonseka has already claimed four deaths of political activists. In a statement issued Wednesday, the UN Secretary-General appealed "to all parties in Sri Lanka and their supporters to show restraint and refrain from violence, to adhere to the electoral laws and rules, and to avoid provocative acts throughout the election period and its aftermath." "The peaceful conduct of the first post-conflict national election is of the highest importance for long term peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka," the statement added.
Read less...
January - 26 
Shortly after being declared as the winner, Rajapakse speaking to the media gathered at the Elections Secretariat in Rajagiriya declared that his victory was victory of the people. From now on, he would be the President of all those who voted for him and those who didn’t. He said it was a great vict
Read more...
Shortly after being declared as the winner, Rajapakse speaking to the media gathered at the Elections Secretariat in Rajagiriya declared that his victory was victory of the people. From now on, he would be the President of all those who voted for him and those who didn’t. He said it was a great victory especially after the war adding that all should get together to build the country.
Read less...
January - 26 
The election monitoring group Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) said that at the Manik Farm, 5354 registered voters did not get the opportunity to exercise their ballot as the election officials refused to accept the temporary identity cards carried by the voters for voting in the morning
Read more...
The election monitoring group Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) said that at the Manik Farm, 5354 registered voters did not get the opportunity to exercise their ballot as the election officials refused to accept the temporary identity cards carried by the voters for voting in the morning hours.
Read less...
January - 27 
Issuing a statement the President's office said that he intends to build on the peace already achieved and move towards a full reconciliation program, to ensure that the country is respected around the world for justice and equality of rights, reports Colombo Page. "In the period ahead, areas that w
Read more...
Issuing a statement the President's office said that he intends to build on the peace already achieved and move towards a full reconciliation program, to ensure that the country is respected around the world for justice and equality of rights, reports Colombo Page. "In the period ahead, areas that were once populated by mines and characterized by fear, will be filled with crops, new skills, and characterized by hope," the President said in the statement. Rajapakse also urged everyone in the country to set aside their differences in religion, ethnicity, and politics and to join in the great task of nation building.
Read less...
January - 27 
The Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) Ban Ki-moon expressed relief on January 27 on the relatively peaceful conclusion to Sri Lanka's first post-war national election, reports Colombo Page. Addressing the media in New York, Ban Ki-moon said he realized that the election has been quite a h
Read more...
The Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) Ban Ki-moon expressed relief on January 27 on the relatively peaceful conclusion to Sri Lanka's first post-war national election, reports Colombo Page. Addressing the media in New York, Ban Ki-moon said he realized that the election has been quite a hard-fought one. "I had been concerned at the level of violence during the campaign. I am relieved that the vote yesterday appears to have [been] relatively peaceful, despite some violence incidents," the UN Chief said in response to questions.
Read less...
February - 1 
Sri Lanka's coalition of Tamil parties, Tamil National Alliance (TNA), says it is ready to hold discussions on power sharing with the re-elected President Mahinda Rajapakse if they are given an opportunity, reports Colombo Page. TNA leader R. Sampanthan addressing a media briefing jointly with the S
Read more...
Sri Lanka's coalition of Tamil parties, Tamil National Alliance (TNA), says it is ready to hold discussions on power sharing with the re-elected President Mahinda Rajapakse if they are given an opportunity, reports Colombo Page. TNA leader R. Sampanthan addressing a media briefing jointly with the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress leader Rauf Hakeem on February 1 said he is ready to discuss genuine power sharing proposals in a unitary State if invited by the President. Such proposals would give Tamils more autonomy to determine their economic and political future, he said. Sampanthan called upon the President to hold discussions with the Tamil leadership on maximum possible devolution of power to the provinces without compromising national sovereignty. During the recent presidential elections, the TNA extended their conditional support to the common opposition candidate Retired Army General Sarath Fonseka. General Fonseka and TNA leader R. Sampanthan have reportedly entered into an agreement to take immediate measures to consider TNA's wishes. According to media reports, these wishes include re-merger of North and East, dismantling of high security zones in the North, speedy restoration of civil administration and normalcy in the war-affected areas, termination of Emergency and release of all persons detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. However, the President stated earlier that TNA put forward these conditions to him in return for their support at the election but the he refused the conditions that would divide the country again.
Read less...
February - 1 
The two main opposition parties that came together on one stage for the presidential elections are to contest on their own at the parliamentary elections. Addressing a media briefing on February 1, United National Party (UNP) parliamentarian Lakshman Kiriella said that the UNP will contest as the Un
Read more...
The two main opposition parties that came together on one stage for the presidential elections are to contest on their own at the parliamentary elections. Addressing a media briefing on February 1, United National Party (UNP) parliamentarian Lakshman Kiriella said that the UNP will contest as the United National Front (UNF) under the Elephant symbol at the General Election to be held sometime before April. UNF is the coalition between the UNP led by Ranil Wickremasinghe, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) led by Rauf Hakeem, Democratic People's Front led by Mano Ganesan and the SLFP (Mahajana Wing) led by Mangala Samaraweera. In the meantime, the defeated presidential candidate General Sarath Fonseka has also expressed his intention to contest the parliamentary elections. However, he has not revealed which party he would represent.
Read less...
February - 2 
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced USD three million in new funding to support International Organization of Migration's (IOM) operations of return and resettlement of some 77,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Northern Sri Lanka, reports Colombo Pag
Read more...
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced USD three million in new funding to support International Organization of Migration's (IOM) operations of return and resettlement of some 77,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Northern Sri Lanka, reports Colombo Page. The assistance would include transport to allow IDPs to return to their home Districts; emergency shelter kits to build temporary housing and transitional shelters; water and sanitation facilities; and the provision of emergency health services across the region, a press release issued by the IOM said. Announcing the funding the U.S. Ambassador to Colombo, Ms. Patricia A. Butenis said the agency focuses on the vulnerable families.
Read less...
February - 4 
Addressing the nation on the first Independence Day since the end of the war President Mahinda Rajapakse on February 4 said that the people of the North and East suffered for thirty years without their democratic rights and he was able to grant them democracy. Suggesting to devolve powers to the vil
Read more...
Addressing the nation on the first Independence Day since the end of the war President Mahinda Rajapakse on February 4 said that the people of the North and East suffered for thirty years without their democratic rights and he was able to grant them democracy. Suggesting to devolve powers to the villages and empowering them in the entire country, the President said discussions will be held with the people and their representatives of those areas to find solutions and take action as necessary. "We do not strengthen the parties based on divisive politics on the basis of colour or tribe, pro-LTTE [Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam] or separatist," he stressed. The President speaking in Tamil asked the Tamil people to live together with the rest of the country without any divisive policies. "Let us discuss our issues among ourselves and resolve them. One country, one people, one law. That is our way, the only way," he added.
Read less...
February - 14 
Already 175,000 persons have already been re-settled in the north and 2216 people who were displaced will be re-settled in Karachchi area of Kilinochchi, said Minister of Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services, Rishad Bathiudeen, according to a Government of Sri Lanka report. He pointed out that,
Read more...
Already 175,000 persons have already been re-settled in the north and 2216 people who were displaced will be re-settled in Karachchi area of Kilinochchi, said Minister of Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services, Rishad Bathiudeen, according to a Government of Sri Lanka report. He pointed out that, they will be provided financial assistance of 50,000 SNR and dry rations, adequate for six months. Arrangements are underway for the speedy resettlement of the remaining 60,000 people. The project covers Ganeshapuram, Kattayamalei, Muttu-vinayagapuram villages and Pannikulam and Indupuram areas in East Mankulam.
Read less...
February - 15 
Despite the killings of top Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leaders, including its former chief Velupillai Prabhakaran, and the decimation of the rebels, the concept of Tamil Eelam has not died out amongst those harbouring it, Sri Lankan Army Chief Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya warned
Read more...
Despite the killings of top Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leaders, including its former chief Velupillai Prabhakaran, and the decimation of the rebels, the concept of Tamil Eelam has not died out amongst those harbouring it, Sri Lankan Army Chief Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya warned, reports Hindustan Times. "Even at present those who had connections with terrorists and the Tamil Diaspora overseas are still discussing the possibility of establishing a state of Eelam according to information we received," he added.
Read less...
February - 15 
The international election monitoring group, the Commonwealth Expert Team, on February 15 issuing its final report on 2010 Presidential Elections in Sri Lanka said it was generally well-administered on Election Day but there were shortcomings in the pre-election period due to incidences of inter-par
Read more...
The international election monitoring group, the Commonwealth Expert Team, on February 15 issuing its final report on 2010 Presidential Elections in Sri Lanka said it was generally well-administered on Election Day but there were shortcomings in the pre-election period due to incidences of inter-party violence, reports Colombo Page. The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Kamalesh Sharma noted the team's conclusion that "even though on the day of the election voters were free to express their will, shortcomings primarily in the pre-election period meant that overall the 2010 Presidential Elections in Sri Lanka did not fully meet key benchmarks for democratic elections."
Read less...
February - 18 
Sri Lanka's Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) on February 18 announced that it would be contesting the upcoming parliamentary elections from a new political front under the leadership of defeated presidential candidate and detained former Army chief General Sarath Fonseka, reports Colombo Page
Read more...
Sri Lanka's Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) on February 18 announced that it would be contesting the upcoming parliamentary elections from a new political front under the leadership of defeated presidential candidate and detained former Army chief General Sarath Fonseka, reports Colombo Page. The JVP politburo member Lal Kantha said that the party has decided to form a new political front called the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) under General Fonseka with a 'Trophy' as the new symbol. The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Parliamentarian Arjuna Ranatunga who supported General Fonseka at the January 26, 2010 Presidential Election and SLFP Mahajana Wing General Secretary Tiran Alles are reportedly to back the new front.
Read less...
February - 20 
The Sri Lankan Government said on February 20 that it will set up community villages to rehabilitate former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres, reports IANS. Over 11,000 former cadres of the LTTE are currently sheltered in 18 State-run rehabilitation centres. The majority of them surrend
Read more...
The Sri Lankan Government said on February 20 that it will set up community villages to rehabilitate former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres, reports IANS. Over 11,000 former cadres of the LTTE are currently sheltered in 18 State-run rehabilitation centres. The majority of them surrendered to the military during the last stages of the battle in May 2009 and the rest were arrested. The newly appointed commissioner general of rehabilitation, Brigadier Sudantha Ranasinghe, told reporters that the proposal to establish community villages is in the process of administrative clearance before being sent for final approval. He also said that the former LTTE cadres are given vocational training in areas like house wiring and carpentry.
Read less...
February - 21 
The breakaway former Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Batticaloa District Parliamentarian Thangeswari Kathiraman announced that she will be contesting the upcoming General Election under the ruling United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA), reports Colombo Page. The TNA, which had 22 seats in the dissolv
Read more...
The breakaway former Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Batticaloa District Parliamentarian Thangeswari Kathiraman announced that she will be contesting the upcoming General Election under the ruling United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA), reports Colombo Page. The TNA, which had 22 seats in the dissolved parliament, recently denied nominations to nine of its members including Kathiraman to contest the polls under the alliance.
Read less...
February - 22 
Sri Lanka would re-establish judicial system in the Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu Districts from next month replacing two decades of 'Kangaroo Courts' run by the now vanquished Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) outfit, reports Hindustan Times. Jaffna High Court authorities are working towards re-
Read more...
Sri Lanka would re-establish judicial system in the Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu Districts from next month replacing two decades of 'Kangaroo Courts' run by the now vanquished Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) outfit, reports Hindustan Times. Jaffna High Court authorities are working towards re-establishing the judicial system in Kilinochchi on March 1 and in Mullaitivu later. "Executions by firing squads and imprisonments in undisclosed areas deep in the jungles were carried out by the LTTE Court houses during that time," the Sunday Observer reported. Jaffna High Court Judge R.T. Vicknaraja termed re-establishing judicial system in the two Districts as "remarkable" and said this will pave the way for enforcement of law and order there.
Read less...
March - 1 
Inspector General of Police Mahinda Balasuriya said Police Stations will be set up in all liberated areas in the North in 2010 to facilitate normal civilian life and civil administration in them, reports Daily News.
Read more...
Inspector General of Police Mahinda Balasuriya said Police Stations will be set up in all liberated areas in the North in 2010 to facilitate normal civilian life and civil administration in them, reports Daily News.
Read less...
March - 14 
The military source on March 14 said that all the road blocks and barriers in the Jaffna peninsula have been removed to facilitate the free movement of the civilians there, adds Daily Mirror. “Now the people in the Jaffna peninsula can freely move at any time using public roads with the removal of r
Read more...
The military source on March 14 said that all the road blocks and barriers in the Jaffna peninsula have been removed to facilitate the free movement of the civilians there, adds Daily Mirror. “Now the people in the Jaffna peninsula can freely move at any time using public roads with the removal of roadblocks and barriers that had been there for a long period,” military Spokesman Major General Prasad Samarasinghe told the Daily Mirror on March 14.
Read less...
March - 18 
The British Government said that the LTTE cadres had been “responsible for widespread and systemic war crimes and crimes against humanity” and that his membership of an extremist group could be presumed to amount to “personal and knowing participation, or at least acquiescence amounting to complicit
Read more...
The British Government said that the LTTE cadres had been “responsible for widespread and systemic war crimes and crimes against humanity” and that his membership of an extremist group could be presumed to amount to “personal and knowing participation, or at least acquiescence amounting to complicity, in the crimes in question.” The decision was quashed by the British Court of Appeal which said the Government was wrong to assume that the individual, as a cadre of the LTTE, was guilty of knowingly participating in such crimes and that the Government should have considered whether there was evidence that he had made a significant contribution to the commission of such crimes.
Read less...
March - 22 
There is a secret connection between the Sri Lanka opposition parties and the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) to betray the country, Transport Minister Dullas Alahapperuma alleged on March 22, reports Colombo Page. Addressing a media briefing held at Colombo, Alahapperuma said that the secret connecti
Read more...
There is a secret connection between the Sri Lanka opposition parties and the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) to betray the country, Transport Minister Dullas Alahapperuma alleged on March 22, reports Colombo Page. Addressing a media briefing held at Colombo, Alahapperuma said that the secret connection is clearly evident as the opposition parties have not yet made any comments on the manifesto of TNA that calls for the merger of Northern and Eastern provinces.
Read less...
March - 24 
On the charge that Army camps were mushrooming in the Wanni, Military Spokesman Major General Prasad Samarsinghe said that these were not new camps. “And they are there to protect the Tamils from the LTTE [Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam],” he added.
Read more...
On the charge that Army camps were mushrooming in the Wanni, Military Spokesman Major General Prasad Samarsinghe said that these were not new camps. “And they are there to protect the Tamils from the LTTE [Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam],” he added.
Read less...
March - 24 
President Mahinda Rajapakse had only recently told Straits Times that there still were “sleeping cadres” of the LTTE, who could be activated by interested parties both at home and abroad. There were still people in the north who believed in Tamil Eelam, he pointed out.
Read more...
President Mahinda Rajapakse had only recently told Straits Times that there still were “sleeping cadres” of the LTTE, who could be activated by interested parties both at home and abroad. There were still people in the north who believed in Tamil Eelam, he pointed out.
Read less...
March - 24 
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) highlights the “dangers” arising from the post-war influx of Sinhalese into the predominently Tamil Jaffna peninsula and the Wanni by drawing attention to the construction of permament Sri Lankan Army camps in the in the region, reports Express Buzz. Suresh Premachandra
Read more...
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) highlights the “dangers” arising from the post-war influx of Sinhalese into the predominently Tamil Jaffna peninsula and the Wanni by drawing attention to the construction of permament Sri Lankan Army camps in the in the region, reports Express Buzz. Suresh Premachandran, who is contesting from Jaffna District, said that the construction of permanent camps meant the transformation of the existing camps into family stations, which in turn, would mean a great increase in the population of the Sinhalese. This fear stems from the fact that the Sri Lankan Army is almost exclusively Sinhalese. “The army has about 40,000 troops now in the Wanni.Very soon, the troops’ families will join them. Once a permanent settlement comes up, infrastructural facilities like Sinhalese schools and Buddhist temples will come up, and the ethno-cultural character of the Wanni will change,” Premachandran said. Tamil nationalists point out that the predominantly Tamil Wanni has been substantially denuded of Tamils by the war, which had gone on for 30 years. The existing Tamil population has been impoverished by the war, especially in the last two years of it. Further, C. Sridharan, another TNA candidate in Jaffna, is quoted by Sudar Oli daily as saying that the Army is constructing 4,000 family quarters at Kokkavil. There would soon be at least 8000 school going Sinhalese children, for whom Sinhalese schools would have to be opened, he said. “Similar family stations will come up in Iyakkachchi, Palai and Jaffna,” he warned.
Read less...
March - 24 
The Sri Lankan Government’s view is that just as there are Tamils living amicably among Sinhalese in south Sri Lanka, Sinhalese should be able to live among Tamils in the north, because the country belongs to all ethnic groups. There were Sinhalese in the north before the Tamil movement became milit
Read more...
The Sri Lankan Government’s view is that just as there are Tamils living amicably among Sinhalese in south Sri Lanka, Sinhalese should be able to live among Tamils in the north, because the country belongs to all ethnic groups. There were Sinhalese in the north before the Tamil movement became militant, it is recalled.
Read less...
March - 25 
The military spokesman Major General Prasad Samarasinghe said that the de-mining process in the northern region is nearing completion, reports Colombo Page. Both sides of the A-9, B-69, B-35 routes in Mullaitivu and Mannar Districts, Kokavil, Kilinochchi, and Muhamalai to Paranthan have been cleared
Read more...
The military spokesman Major General Prasad Samarasinghe said that the de-mining process in the northern region is nearing completion, reports Colombo Page. Both sides of the A-9, B-69, B-35 routes in Mullaitivu and Mannar Districts, Kokavil, Kilinochchi, and Muhamalai to Paranthan have been cleared, Major General Samarasinghe said. According to Samarasinghe already 183,219 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have been resettled in their own villages after their land was cleared of landmines. Another 84,700 are to be resettled as soon as the de-mining is complete. Some 29,000 IDPs have gone out with permission and 54,000 remain in the camps. The spokesman also said in recent times 480 civilians have been injured due to landmine explosions.
Read less...
March - 30 
The British House of Commons said in retrospect that it regrets UK arms exports to Sri Lanka during the fragile ceasefire period and suggests that the UK Government should take a "longer term view about unstable countries" when exporting arms as where the weapons end up and how they would be used be
Read more...
The British House of Commons said in retrospect that it regrets UK arms exports to Sri Lanka during the fragile ceasefire period and suggests that the UK Government should take a "longer term view about unstable countries" when exporting arms as where the weapons end up and how they would be used become important, reports Colombo Page. A report, released on March 30 by the Committee on Arms Export Controls of the British House of Commons, welcomed the review and subsequent revocation of nine extant licenses for Military exports to Sri Lanka. The report says the UK Government revoked a number of extant export licenses "in the light of changed circumstances." The licenses were for replacement components for military utility helicopters and Military telecommunications equipment. Ian Lucas, the Minister for Business and Regulatory Reform, has confirmed in December 2009 that all licenses, from 2004 had been reviewed and the UK Government had not supplied any helicopters or airframes to the Sri Lankan Air Force. The UK however, had supplied helicopter components for Sri Lankan transport helicopters and the Minister has said that based on the available information during the final stages of the conflict, Sri Lanka has used those helicopters for medical evacuation, logistical support, re-supply and other humanitarian purposes.
Read less...
March - 31 
Sri Lanka Police has taken measures to deploy nearly 60,000 Police officers to maintain law and during the upcoming general election, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mahinda Balasuriya said on March 30, reports Colombo Page. Addressing a press conference yesterday, the IGP said all arrangement
Read more...
Sri Lanka Police has taken measures to deploy nearly 60,000 Police officers to maintain law and during the upcoming general election, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mahinda Balasuriya said on March 30, reports Colombo Page. Addressing a press conference yesterday, the IGP said all arrangements have been finalized to provide security for the parliamentary polls throughout the country including in the North and East. The Police will also solicit assistance of 19,500 armed forces personnel to strengthen security in addition to the 58,700 Police officers that will be deployed.
Read less...
April - 6 
Sri Lanka's Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has said that it was ready to support the Government in implementing a solution to the national issue if it is genuinely interested in resolving it, reports Colombo Page. TNA legislator R. M. Imam in his speech during the debate to extend Emergency Regulatio
Read more...
Sri Lanka's Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has said that it was ready to support the Government in implementing a solution to the national issue if it is genuinely interested in resolving it, reports Colombo Page. TNA legislator R. M. Imam in his speech during the debate to extend Emergency Regulations in Parliament on April 6 said that the Government was continuously putting off resolving the issues faced by the Tamil people. "The latest excuse of the Government is that they were waiting till new members of the TNA are elected on April 8 to discuss the issue with them and thereby adopt delaying tactics," he said. He also said that the people in the North and the East were moving towards obliteration daily as their problems were not addressed by the Government. "The TNA is ready to support the Government if it comes out with a genuine effort to resolve the national issue," Imam noted.
Read less...
April - 16 
In an exclusive interview with The Island, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse said on April 16 that the new Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) led United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Government should be prepared to thwart a fresh attempts by separatists operating abroad to throw a lifeline to t
Read more...
In an exclusive interview with The Island, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse said on April 16 that the new Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) led United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Government should be prepared to thwart a fresh attempts by separatists operating abroad to throw a lifeline to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE). A section of the international community is bent on reviving the LTTE and giving it recognition, he said. Thus, the destruction of the LTTE’s conventional military capability about a year ago might give a false sense of complacency to the political establishment, he said. He further added that pro-LTTE sections of the Tamil Diaspora were carrying out a high profile campaign against Sri Lanka. The Global Tamil Forum was lobbying overseas to win over foreign politicians. He said that the presence of high profile British politicians and officials at a recent gathering of GTF in the UK had revealed the gravity of the situation. Referring to recent British press reports that Islamic radicals had infiltrated the British Labour Party, Defence Secretary Rajapakse said that the Tamil Diaspora could adopt a similar strategy, if it had not already done that.
Read less...
April - 21 
Mahinda Rajapakse will name his new cabinet on April 23, a Government official said on April 21. General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), former Minister Maithripala Sirisena told the State-run radio that the new cabinet is scheduled to be sworn in on April 23. According to Sirisena
Read more...
Mahinda Rajapakse will name his new cabinet on April 23, a Government official said on April 21. General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), former Minister Maithripala Sirisena told the State-run radio that the new cabinet is scheduled to be sworn in on April 23. According to Sirisena, the President has decided to limit the cabinet to 40 members. The new cabinet will function until the President takes oaths in his second term in office in November 2010. A new speaker will be elected April 22 (today) during the inaugural session of the new Parliament. The elected and appointed Parliamentarians will take oath before the new Speaker. Election of the Deputy Speaker and the Chairman of the Committees is to follow the MP's swearing-in.
Read less...
April - 22 
Colombo Page quoting Malaysian National News Agency Bernama Today reported that Malaysian Police had arrested a number of key Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leaders among other foreign nationals between August 2009 and March 2010. According to the report, Malaysian Home Minister Datuk Seri
Read more...
Colombo Page quoting Malaysian National News Agency Bernama Today reported that Malaysian Police had arrested a number of key Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leaders among other foreign nationals between August 2009 and March 2010. According to the report, Malaysian Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein has said that the Malaysian authorities have informed Sri Lanka's Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse recently of the arrest of the LTTE leaders.
Read less...
May - 6 
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) threat against Sri Lanka has only shifted from the field of battle to the field of diplomacy, with attempts of establishing a Transnational Government in exile to continue LTTE propaganda, said External Affairs Minister Professor G.L. Peiris on May 6, repo
Read more...
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) threat against Sri Lanka has only shifted from the field of battle to the field of diplomacy, with attempts of establishing a Transnational Government in exile to continue LTTE propaganda, said External Affairs Minister Professor G.L. Peiris on May 6, reports Daily News. Stating that the Government has instructed the Sri Lankan ambassadors in relevant countries to take suitable action to handle the situation, the Minister said Sri Lanka was now facing a different type of threat inimical to the interest of the country. Minister Peiris made this observation in response to a question raised by United National Party (UNP) Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya as to when the Government would lift the State of Emergency. The Minister said the Government would not continue the Emergency Regulations one moment longer than necessary and stated the Government has scaled down the Emergency Regulations significantly. He also stated the Government has retained only such provisions of the Emergency Regulations absolutely necessary to counter the vicious propaganda of the pro-LTTE groups against the Government. He further stated that the Government was not in a position to predict when the Emergency would be lifted. "Although the LTTE is militarily defeated the risk is not over," Minister Peiris said. He also informed that no foreign country has asked us to abolish the Emergency Regulations.
Read less...
May - 7 
Sri Lanka on May 7 asked western countries to crackdown on Tamils trying to revive the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE) separatist movement, which was crushed in 2009, reports The Hindu. Declaring that Colombo will not tolerate moves by the LTTE remnants to form a transnational Government,
Read more...
Sri Lanka on May 7 asked western countries to crackdown on Tamils trying to revive the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE) separatist movement, which was crushed in 2009, reports The Hindu. Declaring that Colombo will not tolerate moves by the LTTE remnants to form a transnational Government, the newly-elected Prime Minister, D.M. Jayaratne, said the Government was aware of moves by some sections of the 1.5 million ethnic Tamils living abroad to revive separatist movement in the North.
Read less...
May - 11 
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA), the single largest Tamil party in the Sri Lankan Parliament with 14 members, said that the Rajapakse Government's constitutional proposals are unacceptable to the Tamils and other minorities, an Indian media report said, reports Colombo Page. "The proposals do not
Read more...
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA), the single largest Tamil party in the Sri Lankan Parliament with 14 members, said that the Rajapakse Government's constitutional proposals are unacceptable to the Tamils and other minorities, an Indian media report said, reports Colombo Page. "The proposals do not meet the needs of the minorities. They will put the minorities at a disadvantage," India's Express News Service quoted TNA Parliamentarian for Jaffna, Suresh Premachandran. Two Cabinet Ministers cum spokespersons of the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Susil Premajayantha and Maithripala Sirisena said on May 11 that the Government would replace the current Proportional Representation System (PRS) with the First-Past-the-Post-System (FPPS) for the majority of the 225 seats in Parliament. They also said that a 25 member upper chamber called the Senate would give representation to the minorities and the provinces. The ruling party also announced that the constitution would be changed to allow a person to serve as President beyond the present two term limit. The proposals are scheduled to be introduced in Parliament in the next two weeks and the constitution will be amended before President Mahinda Rajapakse begins his second term on November 17.
Read less...
May - 12 
Deputy Solicitor General Wasantha Bandara on May 12 said that Defence Secretary did not order shooting Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres coming to surrender, reports Daily News. He said this when retired General Sarath Fonseka was produced before Colombo Chief Magistrate Janaki Rajaratn
Read more...
Deputy Solicitor General Wasantha Bandara on May 12 said that Defence Secretary did not order shooting Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres coming to surrender, reports Daily News. He said this when retired General Sarath Fonseka was produced before Colombo Chief Magistrate Janaki Rajaratne. Deputy Solicitor General made submissions in connection with the Crime Investigation Department (CID) investigation into a statement made by Sarath Fonseka to a newspaper that Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa ordered the shooting of LTTE cadres who came to surrender with white flags. He questioned the claims of Sarath Fonseka to be a war hero when he had actually accused the Government of violating international laws applied to battle. He said although the suspect was the Chief Commanding Officer in the victorious war he subsequently made statements inimical to the State for political expediency and lost his honour.
Read less...
May - 14 
Sri Lanka has urged the European Union (EU) Governments not to provide any political or symbolic support towards the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE) initiative to forming a so called Provisional Translational Government of Tamil Eelam (PTGTE), reports Daily Mirror. Sri Lanka’s Ambassador t
Read more...
Sri Lanka has urged the European Union (EU) Governments not to provide any political or symbolic support towards the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE) initiative to forming a so called Provisional Translational Government of Tamil Eelam (PTGTE), reports Daily Mirror. Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Belgium and Luxemburg and the EU Ravinatha Aryasinha said the LTTE’s initiative to forming a so called “Provisional Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam”, with “country working groups” at national and regional levels in western countries was a ruse to perpetuate its terrorist struggle. Ambassador Aryasinha observed that these bodies constituted through pseudo elections and comprising largely of known LTTE members/activists, was being used by many Tamils who have entered western countries illegally, and who would in the normal course of events be sent back home given the restoration of normalcy in Sri Lanka, to keep the pot boiling and to seek to remain relevant in countries where they have sought asylum. Ambassador Aryasinha made these observations when he addressed the “2010 Diplomatic Security Conference on the Terrorism Situation and Trends in the EU” held at the Colonial Palace in Brussels where the findings of Europol’s EU Terrorism Situation and Trend Report (TESAT) 2010 was discussed. “Sri Lanka’s story in fighting terrorism is instructive to this forum for two reasons. The phenomenal success of the ground battle with the LTTE is well known and that was won decisively exactly a year ago. But what we often pay little attention to, is the fact that the LTTE was not just a terrorist force, but also a very efficient network which spanned the globe and could fool a lot of people. Their organization was diversified, the assets were scattered, and they operated through numerous front organizations and operatives. Therefore, while their leaders may be gone and their central command disrupted, we must not lose sight of the fact that they still have a lot of money, expertise and contacts, particularly in your part of the world,” he said.
Read less...
May - 20 
Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse, said that Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) sympathisers outside the country were trying to revive the Tamil separatist movement, reports SBS Australia. "The Security Forces, Police and intelligence services must take certain steps to ensure that terroris
Read more...
Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse, said that Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) sympathisers outside the country were trying to revive the Tamil separatist movement, reports SBS Australia. "The Security Forces, Police and intelligence services must take certain steps to ensure that terrorism does not raise its head again in this country," he said. "Our intelligence networks have to be developed and intelligence gathering enhanced," said Defence Secretary. He said the navy must also strengthen its coastal patrols to ensure weapons were not smuggled in by sea. Gotabhaya also said that although the LTTE had not carried out any attacks since the outfit’s leadership was wiped out in May 2009, the pro-rebel lobby abroad was still active. "The motive of these international groups remains the same as that of the LTTE," he said in a statement marking the first anniversary of the crushing of the guerrillas after 37 years of violence.
Read less...
May - 30 
The Sri Lankan Government while maintaining that there is no threat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) raising its head again says that the Indian Government's decision to extend the ban on the terrorist organization for a further two years is a precautionary measure, reports Colombo Pag
Read more...
The Sri Lankan Government while maintaining that there is no threat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) raising its head again says that the Indian Government's decision to extend the ban on the terrorist organization for a further two years is a precautionary measure, reports Colombo Page. Cabinet and Defence Spokesperson, Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella has been quoted in the local media saying that the Indian Government's decision is a precautionary measure following reports of various actions and protests by certain sections in the country. Rambukwella has reiterated that the LTTE was no longer a threat. "India needs to be cautious of all elements in their states as it is a large country. But there is no threat from the LTTE. The situation has been completely contained in Sri Lanka," he has noted.
Read less...
June - 2 
Colombo Page reports that Sri Lanka is to see the emergence of a new Tamil political party with former Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian N. Sri Kantha deciding to register his party, the Tamil National Liberation Alliance (TNLA), as a new Tamil political party in the country. The TNLA Ge
Read more...
Colombo Page reports that Sri Lanka is to see the emergence of a new Tamil political party with former Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian N. Sri Kantha deciding to register his party, the Tamil National Liberation Alliance (TNLA), as a new Tamil political party in the country. The TNLA General Secretary, former TNA parliamentarian M.K. Sivajilingam has told the media that the necessary registration papers would be handed over to the Elections Commissioner this week. The TNLA is hopeful of contesting the Northern Provincial Council election as a new Tamil political front. According to Sivajilingam, the TNLA is planning on holding several rounds of discussions with other Tamil political parties before the elections to explore the possibilities of forming a broad political coalition.
Read less...
June - 4 
Addressing a press conference at the information ministry auditorium in Colombo, Mass Media and Communication Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said that some diaspora elements and United Nations human Rights High Commissioner Navaneethan Pillay were supporting the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE
Read more...
Addressing a press conference at the information ministry auditorium in Colombo, Mass Media and Communication Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said that some diaspora elements and United Nations human Rights High Commissioner Navaneethan Pillay were supporting the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), reports Daily News. The international network of the LTTE is still active. The Government will take appropriate action when necessary. it cannot be taken within a day or two, he explained.
Read less...
June - 6 
Deputy Resettlement Minister Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias Karuna Amman has held the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) partly responsible for the current plight of the Tamil civilians in the North, reports Colombo Page. He has said that the TNA continued to support the Liberation Tigers of Tamil E
Read more...
Deputy Resettlement Minister Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias Karuna Amman has held the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) partly responsible for the current plight of the Tamil civilians in the North, reports Colombo Page. He has said that the TNA continued to support the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and its war efforts when everyone including himself defected from the LTTE and called on the organization to give up arms and stop the war.
Read less...
June - 6 
TNA Leader R. Sampanthan denying Minister Karuna’s statement said it would not be correct to say that the TNA backed the war. He has said that the TNA had impressed up on the government and the LTTE that the solution to the ethnic issue should be essentially political. The TNA tried its very best t
Read more...
TNA Leader R. Sampanthan denying Minister Karuna’s statement said it would not be correct to say that the TNA backed the war. He has said that the TNA had impressed up on the government and the LTTE that the solution to the ethnic issue should be essentially political. The TNA tried its very best to bring the war to an end, but unfortunately, the TNA was not successful in its protests against the war. Further, making it clear that Sri Lankan Government will not tolerate any groups in the east carrying arms, Karuna Amman asked them to disarm themselves, reports Hindustan Times. "If any people carry legal or illegal weapons in that area, we cannot accept that situation. Because now only people are enjoying freedom after thirty years. They suffered a lot. Now they are starting to enjoy their lives," Karuna said. "Already we have disarmed all the eastern people. There are no armed cadres there now," Amman said of his Eastern bastion.
Read less...
June - 8 
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres are re-emerging a year after their defeat despite launching no attacks, Sri Lanka's prime minister D. M. Jayaratne said on June 8, reports Economic Times. D. M. Jayaratne told Parliament that remnants of the LTTE were planning a comeback with financial
Read more...
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres are re-emerging a year after their defeat despite launching no attacks, Sri Lanka's prime minister D. M. Jayaratne said on June 8, reports Economic Times. D. M. Jayaratne told Parliament that remnants of the LTTE were planning a comeback with financial backing from Tamils abroad. "There are hardcore Tigers who are still mingling among civilians," Jayaratne said. "During the month of May alone we have arrested 77 hardcore Tigers who are believed to have been directly involved in terror activities," he said. He stated intelligence agencies reported that LTTE cadres who escaped the military onslaught in 2009 were collecting weapons they had stashed away to resume their struggle. The Tigers have launched no attacks since being defeated in May 2009, but the Government maintains tough anti-terror laws which are extended every month by parliament.
Read less...
June - 15 
A Malaysian Government minister has disclosed that foreign terrorists including remnants of Sri Lanka's Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) are using Malaysia as their operational base and to recruit new cadtes, reports Colombo Page. Malaysian Police had detected the presence of several senior
Read more...
A Malaysian Government minister has disclosed that foreign terrorists including remnants of Sri Lanka's Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) are using Malaysia as their operational base and to recruit new cadtes, reports Colombo Page. Malaysian Police had detected the presence of several senior leaders of the LTTE who were reportedly using Malaysia for shelter and logistic base, Malaysian National News Agency Bernama reported. Home minister Hishammuddin Hussein has told reporters on June 15 in Kuala Lumpur that both Islamic and non-Islamic militant groups were using Malaysia as their operational base to step up their activities. Malaysian National News Agency Bernama quoting Musa Hassan, the Inspector-General of Police said the terrorist groups are using the country for their financial transactions and exchange of information, in addition to targeting higher education institutes to recruit more members. The Home Minister said his ministry was working closely with local enforcement and international intelligence agencies to share data on foreign nationals entering Malaysia and their movements, to curb activities that could threaten national and regional security.
Read less...
June - 16 
Defence Spokesman and Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella on June 16 said that Sri Lankan Intelligence Units are maintaining a close relationship with Malaysian Intelligence Units and Police to curb Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) activities there, reports Daily News. Commenting on a report
Read more...
Defence Spokesman and Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella on June 16 said that Sri Lankan Intelligence Units are maintaining a close relationship with Malaysian Intelligence Units and Police to curb Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) activities there, reports Daily News. Commenting on a report in the foreign media that Malaysian Police detected the presence of several senior LTTE leaders in Malaysia, Minister Rambukwella told the Daily News that the LTTE was functioning in several other countries and the Government was dealing with foreign Governments to end LTTE terrorist activities. The Minister said that the Government’s stance was that although the LTTE was defeated militarily in Sri Lanka, pro-LTTE groups were attempting to reinvigorate the LTTE overseas. "The Government is taking all the measures to counter all these attempts with the support of foreign Governments," he said. Rambukwella said the LTTE used Malaysia as a hub for their activities and Kumaran Pathmanathan alias KP was arrested in Malaysia.
Read less...
June - 17 
Quoting the Dutch media, Colombo Page reports that the Netherlands authorities have again arrested several Tamils as a part of an ongoing investigation into illegal activities of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) movement in the country. Radio Netherlands Worldwide states that the organisa
Read more...
Quoting the Dutch media, Colombo Page reports that the Netherlands authorities have again arrested several Tamils as a part of an ongoing investigation into illegal activities of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) movement in the country. Radio Netherlands Worldwide states that the organisation, which seeks to establish an independent Tamil State in northeast Sri Lanka, was placed on the European Union list of terrorist organisations in 2006. A spokesperson for the Public Prosecutors' Office has reportedly announced that four suspects have been arrested in Breda, Rotterdam, Heemskerk and Heerlen in the Netherlands. The arrests come after seven suspects were arrested in April, 2010. According to the Dutch media, the Police investigation focuses on attempts to raise funds for the LTTE. The investigation is also intended to show whether the suspects are members of a criminal and terrorist organisation. The Police are still looking for people who can provide information on LTTE activities in the Netherlands, the media report said.
Read less...
June - 21 
Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse warned on June 21 that an international Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) network was still active a year after the separatists were defeated militarily, reports IANS. Gotabhaya Rajapakse said Tamil groups in Europe and the US still carry the ideology of t
Read more...
Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse warned on June 21 that an international Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) network was still active a year after the separatists were defeated militarily, reports IANS. Gotabhaya Rajapakse said Tamil groups in Europe and the US still carry the ideology of the LTTE. "The intelligence units of the army and other security services have to be vigilant," he said.
Read less...
June - 22 
Sri Lanka Government has warned Australia about a vessel carrying 200 suspected Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres on its way to Australia, but is unaware if there are top LTTE leaders among them or from where the ship departed from, reports Daily Mirror. Australia’s Sri Lankan High Comm
Read more...
Sri Lanka Government has warned Australia about a vessel carrying 200 suspected Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres on its way to Australia, but is unaware if there are top LTTE leaders among them or from where the ship departed from, reports Daily Mirror. Australia’s Sri Lankan High Commissioner Senaka Welgampaya told Daily Mirror online that he had received information that a ship called, ‘Sun Sea’ carrying some 200 suspected LTTE cadres was on its way to Australia but he did not have further details regarding those on board. “The Australian High Commission has been informed and they were informed a while back, so they are quite aware about it. The ship is called Sun Sea but we don’t know what flag they are carrying,” he said. When contacted by Daily Mirror online Navy spokesperson Captain Athula Senarath said he has not received any information about the vessel and that the Navy was not involved in this matter at the moment.Australian media reports had earlier said the ship was heading to Canada but had later changed direction and was heading to Australia. Meanwhile the Canadian media reported that at least 25 of the 76 men who arrived in British Columbia aboard the Ocean Lady migrant ship October 2009 were members of the LTTE.
Read less...
June - 29 
The arrested leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is playing a 'leading role' in helping the Government in 'reconciliation process' after the end of the war, representatives of Tamil Diaspora Charles Antonidas said, reports BBC News. In an interview with the BBC, Charles Antonidas,
Read more...
The arrested leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is playing a 'leading role' in helping the Government in 'reconciliation process' after the end of the war, representatives of Tamil Diaspora Charles Antonidas said, reports BBC News. In an interview with the BBC, Charles Antonidas, leader of Tamil Health Organisation (THO) said that Kumaran Pathmanathan alias KP, was instrumental in arranging a meeting between the Tamil disapora and the Sri Lankan Government. "We were trying to reach out to the Government to discuss humanitarian issues but didn't have any success for a long time. Then suddenly when we had this opportunity we though of taking it," he told BBC Sandeshaya. Admitting that the meeting took place, Media Minister Keheliya Rambuakwella told BBC Sandeshaya that KP is also involved in the reconciliation process. A group of nine representatives from the diaspora worldwide has visited Sri Lanka from 14 to 20 June. The team has first had a meeting with KP, who was arrested in Malaysia while having a meeting in August 2009 and brought to Colombo. The contact between us and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) was KP. We didn't have any direct contact with the MoD, Charles Antonidas informed.
Read less...
July - 1 
Only the will and dedication of the people will resolve the internal conflicts in a country and foreign military intervention to an internal conflict is not a solution, President Mahinda Rajapakse said on July 1, according to Colombo Page. Addressing the Ukrainian National Defence Academy during his
Read more...
Only the will and dedication of the people will resolve the internal conflicts in a country and foreign military intervention to an internal conflict is not a solution, President Mahinda Rajapakse said on July 1, according to Colombo Page. Addressing the Ukrainian National Defence Academy during his official visit to Ukraine, President Rajapakse pointed out, "Foreign military intervention to an internal conflict is not a solution. As the people do not expect the intervention of foreign forces to solve a problem, they will not receive the support of the people. The world can learn this from the Sri Lankan experience."
Read less...
July - 1 
The main Marxist party, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), which is a constituent party of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) led by Fonseka, said on July 1 that General Fonseka is still a member of the DNA. JVP politburo member and DNA parliamentarian Anura Kumara Dissanayake told a press confere
Read more...
The main Marxist party, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), which is a constituent party of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) led by Fonseka, said on July 1 that General Fonseka is still a member of the DNA. JVP politburo member and DNA parliamentarian Anura Kumara Dissanayake told a press conference that although General Fonseka has applied to register a new political party, he would remain in the DNA. Dissanayake said that General Fonseka's new party, the Democratic Party, would also be a constituent party of the DNA. General Fonseka on June 30 handed in the application to the Elections Commissioner to register a new political party. DNA parliamentarian Tiran Alles has been listed as the secretary of the Democratic Party.
Read less...
July - 2 
Former Army Commander and Democratic National Alliance (DNA) parliamentarian General (retired) Sarath Fonseka on July 2 said the Government was planning to get former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) international wing leader Kumaran Pathmanathan alias KP to contest the Northern Provincial Co
Read more...
Former Army Commander and Democratic National Alliance (DNA) parliamentarian General (retired) Sarath Fonseka on July 2 said the Government was planning to get former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) international wing leader Kumaran Pathmanathan alias KP to contest the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) election. General Fonseka told Parliament that Government has allowed KP to meet with Government Agents and other officials in the North.
Read less...
July - 4 
Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse on July 4 denied reports in a section of the media that the Government is planning to install the former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) international wing leader Kumaran Pathmanathan alias KP, who is under detention, as the Chief Minister (CM) of the No
Read more...
Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse on July 4 denied reports in a section of the media that the Government is planning to install the former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) international wing leader Kumaran Pathmanathan alias KP, who is under detention, as the Chief Minister (CM) of the Northern Province, reports The Hindu. He, however, confirmed that the Government was working with KP in a “strategic manner” to mobilise the support of the Tamil Diaspora. Earlier, former Army Commander and Democratic National Alliance (DNA) parliamentarian General (retired) Sarath Fonseka on July 2 said the Government was planning to get KP to contest the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) election. General Fonseka told Parliament that Government has allowed KP to meet with Government Agents and other officials in the North.
Read less...
July - 4 
Defense authorities have given civil administration in the North permission to resettle displaced civilians in the High Security Zones (HSZs) of Jaffna, the Jaffna Government Agent K. Ganesh said, according to Colombo Page. The civilians had been displaced for along time due to the setting up of HSZ
Read more...
Defense authorities have given civil administration in the North permission to resettle displaced civilians in the High Security Zones (HSZs) of Jaffna, the Jaffna Government Agent K. Ganesh said, according to Colombo Page. The civilians had been displaced for along time due to the setting up of HSZs by the military in the region during the war with the LTTE. Removal of HSZs is a demand regularly brought up by opposition Tamil political parties. The HSZ areas include Palaly, Madagal, Chankanai, Ariyalai, Colombuthurai, Tanankilappu, Nagarkovil and Tellippalai in Jaffna District.
Read less...
July - 4 
The Government has taken steps to ensure the electrification of the entire Kilinochchi District within two years. The ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party parliamentarian Lohan Ratwatte, who has been assigned the task of coordinating the developments in the power sector in the Kilinochchi District, told C
Read more...
The Government has taken steps to ensure the electrification of the entire Kilinochchi District within two years. The ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party parliamentarian Lohan Ratwatte, who has been assigned the task of coordinating the developments in the power sector in the Kilinochchi District, told Colombo Page that the District that has not seen any development for the past 30 years is currently developed in all aspects.
Read less...
July - 6 
During 2009 the Government had spent SLR 2,180 million to clear landmines in the North and East, Economic Development Ministry Media Director Kapila Ariyarathna told the Daily News on July 6. He further said up to May 2010 the Government had conducted 17,654 educational programs on landmines and ex
Read more...
During 2009 the Government had spent SLR 2,180 million to clear landmines in the North and East, Economic Development Ministry Media Director Kapila Ariyarathna told the Daily News on July 6. He further said up to May 2010 the Government had conducted 17,654 educational programs on landmines and explosive devices to the people in the North and East.
Read less...
July - 10 
According to Colombo Page, Sri Lanka Army’s Military spokesman Brigadier U.A.P.Medawela told media that the Army had defused 290,000 unexploded ordnance that were left behind by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), on July 10. This cache of unexploded ordnance has been found in 1,744 square
Read more...
According to Colombo Page, Sri Lanka Army’s Military spokesman Brigadier U.A.P.Medawela told media that the Army had defused 290,000 unexploded ordnance that were left behind by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), on July 10. This cache of unexploded ordnance has been found in 1,744 square kilometres of land in Northern and Eastern Provinces and around 113 square kilometres of land area have been cleared of land mines.
Read less...
July - 11 
Sri Lankan Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne on July 11 said that the Government will provide more than 3,000 jobs to youth in the Killinochchi and Mullaitivu Districts who have had direct contacts with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), reports Daily News. He said that the defence authorities
Read more...
Sri Lankan Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne on July 11 said that the Government will provide more than 3,000 jobs to youth in the Killinochchi and Mullaitivu Districts who have had direct contacts with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), reports Daily News. He said that the defence authorities have identified more than 10,000 people who were closely associated with the LTTE and a special program would be implemented to solve their problems.
Read less...
July - 12 
Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse in an interview to Philippine daily The Manila Times said that the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission to probe and report on the lessons to be learnt from the events during the ethnic conflict will heal the wounds of conflict, reports Colombo Page on
Read more...
Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse in an interview to Philippine daily The Manila Times said that the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission to probe and report on the lessons to be learnt from the events during the ethnic conflict will heal the wounds of conflict, reports Colombo Page on July 12. It is an eight-member commission appointed by the Sri Lankan President on May 18, 2010.
Read less...
July - 13 
According to Colombo Page report on July 13, Tamil National Alliance (TNA), the major Tamil party in Sri Lanka, said that it was awaiting an invitation from President Mahinda Rajapaksa to discuss the solution to the ethnic issue following a recent visit to India by a group of TNA parliamentarians.
Read more...
According to Colombo Page report on July 13, Tamil National Alliance (TNA), the major Tamil party in Sri Lanka, said that it was awaiting an invitation from President Mahinda Rajapaksa to discuss the solution to the ethnic issue following a recent visit to India by a group of TNA parliamentarians. After the TNA delegation had discussed about the plight of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the North, the resettlement programme and the need for the IDPs to return to their home towns and resume their livelihoods, the Indian Government had expressed its willingness to facilitate a dialogue with the TNA on issues faced by the Tamil civilians in Sri Lanka, said TNA parliamentarian Suresh Premachandran.
Read less...
July - 13 
Sri Lankan defence analyst De Silva Ranasinghe says former LTTE cadres are attracted to Australia because the LTTE remains legal here, unlike in the US, Canada, Britain and 27 EU member countries, where it is proscribed as a terrorist organisation. He further said that LTTE supporters in Australia a
Read more...
Sri Lankan defence analyst De Silva Ranasinghe says former LTTE cadres are attracted to Australia because the LTTE remains legal here, unlike in the US, Canada, Britain and 27 EU member countries, where it is proscribed as a terrorist organisation. He further said that LTTE supporters in Australia act as fundraisers for the group. In March 2010, three Tamil Australians in Melbourne pleaded guilty to sending more than AUD 1 million and AUD 97,000 worth of electronic components capable of being made into bomb detonators to the LTTE.
Read less...
July - 13 
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said the LTTE uses its supporters in countries such as the US to raise funds and buy weapons and explosives
Read more...
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said the LTTE uses its supporters in countries such as the US to raise funds and buy weapons and explosives
Read less...
July - 14 
Addressing a public gathering in Kilinochchi on July 14, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that the Government's largest financial allocation for regional development went to uplift the conflict ravaged North, reports Daily News.
Read more...
Addressing a public gathering in Kilinochchi on July 14, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that the Government's largest financial allocation for regional development went to uplift the conflict ravaged North, reports Daily News.
Read less...
July - 15 
A special meeting of the Sri Lankan Cabinet, chaired by President Mahinda Rajapakse, held at Kilinochchi town in the Northern Province approved an emergency loan of USD 150 million from Asian Development Bank (ADB) for re-construction of the damaged power and water infrastructure in the Northern and
Read more...
A special meeting of the Sri Lankan Cabinet, chaired by President Mahinda Rajapakse, held at Kilinochchi town in the Northern Province approved an emergency loan of USD 150 million from Asian Development Bank (ADB) for re-construction of the damaged power and water infrastructure in the Northern and Eastern provinces, reports The Hindu. Briefing the media on July 15 on the decisions taken by the meeting Cabinet spokesperson Keheliya Rambukwella said the loan from the ADB would be provided to the Electricity Board and the National Water Supply and Drainage Board for reconstruction of the damaged assets in the Northern Province. Rambukwella said the Cabinet had approved the proposal to reconstruct the 50-kilometres-long A-34 high way from Mankulam to Mullaitivu Road under the Northern Road Connectivity Project with ADB assistance. A National Mine Action Centre to coordinate removal of an estimated 1.5 million mines buried in 3,000 square kilometres of the Northern Province would be created. Rambukwella said the presence of mines was a major stumbling block in re-settlement of the war displaced and the Government has so far been able to remove only 20 per cent of the mines. Explaining the decision to hold a Cabinet meeting in Kilinochchi, Rambukwella said it was a signal of the unity of the island nation and the comprehensive military defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Kilinochchi, the de facto capital of the LTTE till May 2009, was chosen as the first town for the Cabinet meetings to be held outside the national capital periodically.
Read less...
July - 15 
Earlier, on July 15, Minister of Mass Media and Communication Keheliya Rambukwella said the HSZs established in Northern area will not be removed as they are essential to ensure the security in the region. As the State lands are not available to maintain HSZs in the North the Government is forced to
Read more...
Earlier, on July 15, Minister of Mass Media and Communication Keheliya Rambukwella said the HSZs established in Northern area will not be removed as they are essential to ensure the security in the region. As the State lands are not available to maintain HSZs in the North the Government is forced to use private land in strategic areas, the Minister explained. Tamil political parties continually demand the removal of HSZs from their land in the North.
Read less...
July - 15 
The External Affairs Ministry in a statement said Sri Lanka had been removed from all marine war and marine strikes risk of the Joint Cargo Committee Joint Cargo Watch List. The "Ground Risk of 2.6" (High Level) previously applicable for the entire ground in Sri Lanka was now confined only to the Va
Read more...
The External Affairs Ministry in a statement said Sri Lanka had been removed from all marine war and marine strikes risk of the Joint Cargo Committee Joint Cargo Watch List. The "Ground Risk of 2.6" (High Level) previously applicable for the entire ground in Sri Lanka was now confined only to the Vavuniya-Jaffna Section of the A-9 Highway.
Read less...
July - 16 
Deputy Resettlement Minister of Sri Lanka Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias Karuna told Colombo Page that civilians would be resettled gradually in High Security Zones (HSZs). 62,000 persons have been displaced due to the establishment of HSZs in the North.
Read more...
Deputy Resettlement Minister of Sri Lanka Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias Karuna told Colombo Page that civilians would be resettled gradually in High Security Zones (HSZs). 62,000 persons have been displaced due to the establishment of HSZs in the North.
Read less...
July - 16 
Sri Lanka's Chief Coordinating Officer of the Competent Office for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Vavuniya District said that the total number of IDPs remaining in welfare centers in the North is currently 38,127. The Government has stated that the number of IDP zones have also been redu
Read more...
Sri Lanka's Chief Coordinating Officer of the Competent Office for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Vavuniya District said that the total number of IDPs remaining in welfare centers in the North is currently 38,127. The Government has stated that the number of IDP zones have also been reduced with only four such zones remaining in the Menik Farm relief village due to the rapid resettlement programme. The Government is to resettle another 3,000 IDPs at Karanchchi in Kilinochchi District by July 26 and three groups are to be resettled on July 18, 22 and 26. Deputy Resettlement Minister Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan had earlier told that the Government was confident of meeting the August deadline for resettling all IDPs in the country.
Read less...
July - 16 
The External Affairs Ministry said it was not in a position to ascertain whether Sri Lankans were among boat people heading to Canada, reports the Daily News on July 17. An Official for the External Affairs Ministry told that according to earlier reports the MV Sun Sea, formally known as Harin Panic
Read more...
The External Affairs Ministry said it was not in a position to ascertain whether Sri Lankans were among boat people heading to Canada, reports the Daily News on July 17. An Official for the External Affairs Ministry told that according to earlier reports the MV Sun Sea, formally known as Harin Panich 19, is carrying LTTE leaders among its passengers heading to Australia from Thailand. "Subsequently the ship has changed its destination. Now reports say that the ship is heading towards Canada", the Ministry spokesperson said.
Read less...
July - 17 
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) announced that it has revoked the charitable registration of Ottawa-area charity, Tamil (Sri Lanka) Refugee-Aid Society (TRAS) effective from July 17, reports Colombo Page. The agency has issued a notice in June of its intention to revoke the charitable registration o
Read more...
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) announced that it has revoked the charitable registration of Ottawa-area charity, Tamil (Sri Lanka) Refugee-Aid Society (TRAS) effective from July 17, reports Colombo Page. The agency has issued a notice in June of its intention to revoke the charitable registration of the Society saying that on the basis of an audit conducted, it has concluded that the Society has ceased to comply with the requirements of the Income Tax Act for its continued registration. The CRA stated that in that the charity failed to maintain adequate control and direction over the use of its funds; improperly issued tax receipts on behalf of third parties; and provided funding to non-qualified donees outside Canada. According to the findings, the Tamil charity has provided funds including $713,000 to an organization, which the CRA believes was operating as part of the support network for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a listed entity under the United Nations Suppression of Terrorism Regulations and the Criminal Code of Canada. The CRA said its audit also indicated that fundraising conducted under the Society's auspices involved an individual who has been convicted in the United States of conspiring to provide material support to the LTTE. In addition, the Society's liaison officer for Sri Lanka was named in documents filed with the Federal Court of Canada as a contact for area sales coordinators with the World Tamil Movement, also a listed entity under the Criminal Code of Canada because of its ties to the LTTE.
Read less...
July - 19 
Sri Lanka Minister of Media Keheliya Rambukwella said on July 19 that the Government is taking measures to set up a Media Authority to obtain the support of the media persons in the development of the post-war Sri Lank, reports Colombo Page.
Read more...
Sri Lanka Minister of Media Keheliya Rambukwella said on July 19 that the Government is taking measures to set up a Media Authority to obtain the support of the media persons in the development of the post-war Sri Lank, reports Colombo Page.
Read less...
July - 21 
Relief Web reports on July 21 that the Sri Lankan Government has given the opportunities for ex-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) child combatants, who had missed their opportunity to complete their education due to the war, to sit for the public examinations. Most of these children who have p
Read more...
Relief Web reports on July 21 that the Sri Lankan Government has given the opportunities for ex-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) child combatants, who had missed their opportunity to complete their education due to the war, to sit for the public examinations. Most of these children who have passed the school going ages are now between the ages of 16 – 22. They could not complete their education as they were conscripted to LTTE cadres during the heights of the war. Now the Sri Lanka Military with the support of educational authorities is preparing them for the forthcoming General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level (A/L) and the Ordinary Level examinations in August and December 2010 respectively.
Read less...
July - 23 
Colombo Page further adds that the Government Spokesman and the Minister of Mass Media and Information Keheliya Rambukwella said Sri Lankan government has not changed its stance on the Panel of Experts appointed by the United Nations Secretary-General and stressed that it will not be changed.
Read more...
Colombo Page further adds that the Government Spokesman and the Minister of Mass Media and Information Keheliya Rambukwella said Sri Lankan government has not changed its stance on the Panel of Experts appointed by the United Nations Secretary-General and stressed that it will not be changed.
Read less...
July - 23 
Sri Lanka defence authorities said that the state intelligence agencies have unearthed many important information on several hardcore Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) terrorists who are involved in international activities of the defeated LTTE, reports Colombo Page on July 23. The Ministry of
Read more...
Sri Lanka defence authorities said that the state intelligence agencies have unearthed many important information on several hardcore Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) terrorists who are involved in international activities of the defeated LTTE, reports Colombo Page on July 23. The Ministry of Defense says these suspects have been identified as cadres involved in many illegal activities including arms smuggling, financial fraud, and humans trafficking. These rebels have been active in eastern Asian, European as well in African countries. The intelligence agencies of the Army have also recovered several diaries and secret documents that belong to the head of the international activities of the LTTE "Castro" (Velupillai Prabhakaran). Vital information regarding investments and marine activities of the LTTE has also been uncovered from these documents. The intelligence agencies are jointly carrying out investigations with the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) to apprehend these LTTE terrorists.
Read less...
July - 23 
Times of India reports that Colombo is also pursuing several Governments to dismantle three broad groups that are now assumed to be controlling the remaining pro-LTTE international factions: the US group is said to be headed by V. Rudrakumaran, the UK group by Aruththanthai Emmanuel of the World Tam
Read more...
Times of India reports that Colombo is also pursuing several Governments to dismantle three broad groups that are now assumed to be controlling the remaining pro-LTTE international factions: the US group is said to be headed by V. Rudrakumaran, the UK group by Aruththanthai Emmanuel of the World Tamil Forum (WTF) and the Norway group by Nediyavan. Recently, at least eight persons in the Netherlands and five in Germany were arrested by the respective government agencies on suspicion of having links with the LTTE. The Sri Lanka is also using diplomatic channels to stall pro-LTTE activities and dismantle arms smuggling network in the African country of Eritrea.
Read less...
July - 28 
The Sri Lanka Government maintains that the Tamil Diaspora is now divided into two groups and the majority is supporting its efforts towards improvement of the living standards of Tamils in the northern and eastern provinces, reports The Hindu. Government spokesman and Media and Information Minister
Read more...
The Sri Lanka Government maintains that the Tamil Diaspora is now divided into two groups and the majority is supporting its efforts towards improvement of the living standards of Tamils in the northern and eastern provinces, reports The Hindu. Government spokesman and Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told a news conference in Colombo on July 28 that the group representing the Tamil Diaspora, which was forced to fund the militant activities of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), was now willing to contribute to the welfare of the war-displaced civilians. The Minister was referring to an interview given to a local daily by Kumaran Pathmanathan alias KP, who succeeded V. Prabhakaran as LTTE chief until he was taken into custody by the Sri Lankan security agencies in August 2009. Earlier in an interview with The Island newspaper, KP answered questions on a wide range of issues, including his capture, breakdown of the various attempts to negotiate peace and a desperate bid to thwart annihilation of the LTTE's military leadership in May 2009. He was confident that a group of like-minded Tamils based in various parts of the world would support the initiative for the benefit of Sri Lankan Tamils, and said President Mahinda Rajapakse was genuine in his efforts at resolving differences among communities and helping to re-build the war devastated regions. "Within a year of the conclusion of the war, the majority of the people displaced by the conflict are back in their villages and ex-combatants of the LTTE are undergoing rehabilitation and the international community, too, is supportive of Sri Lanka's efforts. None of these would have been possible without the political leadership given by President Rajapakse," he told the paper.
Read less...
July - 28 
The Sri Lankan Government has re-settled 85 per cent of the nearly 300,000 war displaced Tamil civilians in the Northern Province, according to Government spokesman and Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, reports The Hindu. He told a news conference in Colombo that till date 2,67,39
Read more...
The Sri Lankan Government has re-settled 85 per cent of the nearly 300,000 war displaced Tamil civilians in the Northern Province, according to Government spokesman and Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, reports The Hindu. He told a news conference in Colombo that till date 2,67,393 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) had been resettled within a year at a rate of 700 IDPs per day. “Now only 35,333 IDPs remain and they too will be resettled by the end of year. We hope by the end of 2010 they will be no IDPs in the country,” said Rambukwella. President Mahinda Rajapaksa during his recent visit to India had told Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that the resettlement process would be completed before the end of the year. Nearly 300,000 civilians fled the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam [LTTE]-held area during the last few days of the war and they were all accommodated by the Government in temporary welfare centres. The Minister said according to United Nations norms the security of the people should be guaranteed and there was a legal issue in resettling people in an area where 1.5 million land mines were strewn. Rambukwella said that de-mining was a costly and laborious process. Besides help from outside including India, the Government has spent, so far, over Sri Lanka LKR 860 million on equipment used in the de-mining process. 95 per cent of the de-mining process is conducted by the Army and there is still 12 to 15 per cent of land mines to be cleared in the Kilinochchi area. “The de-mining programme in the former war affected region is progressing well although it is a very tedious process, as land has to be cleared inch by inch,” said Military Spokesperson Brigadier Ubaya Medawala. United Nations Development Programme Senior Programme Manager for Mine Action Wuria Karadaghy said mine clearance remained one of the most important aspects with regard to resettlement.
Read less...
July - 29 
Sri Lankan Government on July 29 said that the Higher Security Zones extended during the war cannot be removed completely overnight although some High Security Zones have already been narrowed as the Government has to ensure safety of all citizens in the country, reports Colombo Page. Addressing a g
Read more...
Sri Lankan Government on July 29 said that the Higher Security Zones extended during the war cannot be removed completely overnight although some High Security Zones have already been narrowed as the Government has to ensure safety of all citizens in the country, reports Colombo Page. Addressing a group of journalists from North and East who visited Colombo, Director General of Media Centre for National Security Lakshman Hulugalle said the Government will never compromise on national security despite the war is being over.
Read less...
July - 30 
Military Spokesman Major General Ubaya Madewela, said High Security Zones in Kokavil, Muhamalei, Tilappom on Jaffna - Kankasanthurai road have been removed and former residents have been resettled.
Read more...
Military Spokesman Major General Ubaya Madewela, said High Security Zones in Kokavil, Muhamalei, Tilappom on Jaffna - Kankasanthurai road have been removed and former residents have been resettled.
Read less...
July - 30 
Sri Lanka Rehabilitation Commissioner Brigadier Sudantha Ranasinghe says that 3,000 surrendered cadres of the defeated Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have been released so far, reports Colombo Page. The Rehabilitation Commissioner said that 11,698 LTTE cadres were identified for rehabilita
Read more...
Sri Lanka Rehabilitation Commissioner Brigadier Sudantha Ranasinghe says that 3,000 surrendered cadres of the defeated Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have been released so far, reports Colombo Page. The Rehabilitation Commissioner said that 11,698 LTTE cadres were identified for rehabilitation. Among the 3,000 released ex-LTTE cadres there were university students, children, ill and disabled cadres, pregnant women, mothers with children, minor offenders and those who were acquitted by courts, Brigadier Ranasinghe said.
Read less...
August - 2 
Minister in charge of Resettlement, Milroy Fernando, told BBC Sandeshaya that the Government needs to establish military camps in the area 'for national security'. "Can the navy be stationed away from the sea?" queried the minister when asked about the navy acquiring hundreds of acres in Mannar. Tho
Read more...
Minister in charge of Resettlement, Milroy Fernando, told BBC Sandeshaya that the Government needs to establish military camps in the area 'for national security'. "Can the navy be stationed away from the sea?" queried the minister when asked about the navy acquiring hundreds of acres in Mannar. Those affected will be only a 'small number of people,' he added.
Read less...
August - 2 
Guy Platton, Charge d’affaires of the Delegation of the European Union (EU) said the EU never felt that it was a criminal act on the part of the Sri Lankan Government to wage war on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), though the EU always wanted to end the fighting to pave the way for a neg
Read more...
Guy Platton, Charge d’affaires of the Delegation of the European Union (EU) said the EU never felt that it was a criminal act on the part of the Sri Lankan Government to wage war on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), though the EU always wanted to end the fighting to pave the way for a negotiated settlement to avoid massive loss of life in contravention of the Geneva Conventions. Platton was responding to a query by The Island, in the wake of recent revelation of excesses by foreign forces including US, British and Polish troops.
Read less...
August - 3 
Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne on August 3 stated that the Government is in the process of confiscating the assets including houses, plots of land and business establishments that were run by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Colombo and the suburbs, reports Daily News. The Prime Ministe
Read more...
Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne on August 3 stated that the Government is in the process of confiscating the assets including houses, plots of land and business establishments that were run by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Colombo and the suburbs, reports Daily News. The Prime Minister moving the Motion to extend the Emergency Regulations by another one month, in Parliament further stated that information about the assets of the LTTE in Colombo and the suburbs are being divulged by LTTE cadres who have been arrested. The Prime Minister also stated it is obvious that the pro-LTTE International Organizations are attempting to reinvigorate the LTTE.
Read less...
August - 4 
U.S. Homeland Security is monitoring the Sri Lankan Tamil migrant ship heading to Canada, reports Colombo Page. According to reports of Sri Lankan media there are many cadres of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE) aboard the Thai ship MV Sun Sea. Meanwhile Canadian authorities said on August 1 th
Read more...
U.S. Homeland Security is monitoring the Sri Lankan Tamil migrant ship heading to Canada, reports Colombo Page. According to reports of Sri Lankan media there are many cadres of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE) aboard the Thai ship MV Sun Sea. Meanwhile Canadian authorities said on August 1 that they are preparing to handle any situation that may be arising from the arrival of the migrant ship carrying Sri Lankan Tamil refugees in Vancouver Island some time in the second week of August.
Read less...
August - 10 
Bernard Goonetilleke, the former head of Sri Lanka's now defunct Peace Secretariat on August 10, said that pro-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) elements were involved in collecting funds from the Tamil Diaspora even after the war, according to Colombo Page. Goonetilleke made this comment whil
Read more...
Bernard Goonetilleke, the former head of Sri Lanka's now defunct Peace Secretariat on August 10, said that pro-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) elements were involved in collecting funds from the Tamil Diaspora even after the war, according to Colombo Page. Goonetilleke made this comment while giving evidence before the “Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission” when it commenced sittings for the first time. According to Goonetilleke, pro-LTTE elements were collecting funds claiming that LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran was still alive. These elements are said to be collecting funds using documents with Prabhakaran's signature. Referring to the Tamil diaspora, Goonetilleke said that the diaspora desired the continuation of the war and helped towards this end since they feared they would lose the privileges being enjoyed in the Western countries. He suggested the Government to engage with the diaspora and convince them about the changed situation in Sri Lanka but warned that there are still a minority of hardcore elements that still support the separation. Commenting on the issues of resettlement and the devolution Goonetilleke said the people should be allowed to resettle in their original habitat and the presence of armed forces should be limited without instilling fears in the minds of the people.
Read less...
August - 11 
Canadian authorities said on August 11 that they would intercept a ship of Tamil asylum-seekers from Sri Lanka before it reached the coast because the passengers may include members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The ship was reported to be within 322 km of Canada's Pacific coast pr
Read more...
Canadian authorities said on August 11 that they would intercept a ship of Tamil asylum-seekers from Sri Lanka before it reached the coast because the passengers may include members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The ship was reported to be within 322 km of Canada's Pacific coast province of British Columbia, said Chris McCluskey, a spokesman for Public Safety Minister Vic Toews. The Thai cargo ship MV Sun Sea was expected to reach the Strait of Juan de Fuca off Vancouver island late August 11 or early August 12. Between 400 and 500 people are believed to be on board.
Read less...
August - 12 
Sri Lankan Foreign Minister G.L. Peiris said on August 12 that China has pledged its support to Sri Lanka against any international pressure for a United Nations-led probe into alleged war crimes, reports The Hindu. Peiris, who held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, said China had con
Read more...
Sri Lankan Foreign Minister G.L. Peiris said on August 12 that China has pledged its support to Sri Lanka against any international pressure for a United Nations-led probe into alleged war crimes, reports The Hindu. Peiris, who held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, said China had conveyed its support to Sri Lanka's position that international interference in investigating alleged war crimes was unwarranted.Sri Lanka has opposed U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's decision to set up a three-member expert panel to look into the conclusion of the war against the LTTE, arguing that the "Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission" appointed by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa was the right body to carry forward investigations. The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister also hit out at the West, particularly the European Union, for imposing trade penalties on Sri Lanka for human rights violations. From August 15, the EU will withdraw its generalised system of preferences (GSP) trade concessions for Sri Lanka, which provide reduced import tariffs and preferential access to EU markets. The move is expected to badly hit Sri Lanka's apparel industry.
Read less...
August - 12 
The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister dismissed Indian concerns that the Chinese-built deep-sea port at Hambantota was part of Beijing's policy to expand its strategic footprint in the Indian Ocean, describing it as a purely commercial venture." There is absolutely no military dimension to this at all. Th
Read more...
The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister dismissed Indian concerns that the Chinese-built deep-sea port at Hambantota was part of Beijing's policy to expand its strategic footprint in the Indian Ocean, describing it as a purely commercial venture." There is absolutely no military dimension to this at all. This was never conceived of as a military port," Peiris told Indian reporters in Beijing.
Read less...
August - 17 
The Canadian Government on August17 said that authorities would screen each individual Sri Lankan Tamil migrant who embarked on Canadian shores on August 13 from the Thai cargo ship MV Sun Sea, reports Colombo Page. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said that the Federal Government will not hes
Read more...
The Canadian Government on August17 said that authorities would screen each individual Sri Lankan Tamil migrant who embarked on Canadian shores on August 13 from the Thai cargo ship MV Sun Sea, reports Colombo Page. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said that the Federal Government will not hesitate to strengthen Canada's human smuggling laws. According to the Canada Border Services all 380 men and 63 women are detained while the 49 children on board MV Sun Sea are either with their families or in the care of local social services. Public Safety Minister Victor Toews said that each migrant had paid 40,000 to 50,000 Canadian dollars to the ship operators to bring them to Canada from Thailand. He has described the voyage as a human smuggling operation run by the overseas cadres of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE)
Read less...
August - 19 
Sri Lanka Army reports that Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa told the Lessons Learnt Commission that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE) had used the Jaffna University Medical Faculty to train some its cadres to treat the war wounded. He said that he had got the opportunity to meet three
Read more...
Sri Lanka Army reports that Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa told the Lessons Learnt Commission that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE) had used the Jaffna University Medical Faculty to train some its cadres to treat the war wounded. He said that he had got the opportunity to meet three ‘LTTE doctors’ now undergoing rehabilitation at Senapura rehabilitation centre. According to him, as Sinhala and Muslim medical students had not been willing to join the Jaffna medical faculty due to terrorism, the LTTE had made use of some of those slots to have its cadres trained.
Read less...
September - 14 
Colombo Page reports that the Sri Lankan Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission suggested President Mahinda Rajapakse some interim measures to better the lot of resettled Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and people living in former conflict areas on September 14.Other measures suggested by
Read more...
Colombo Page reports that the Sri Lankan Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission suggested President Mahinda Rajapakse some interim measures to better the lot of resettled Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and people living in former conflict areas on September 14.Other measures suggested by the eight-member Commission include enabling people to use their own language in official dealings, especially while making statements to the police.
Read less...
September - 16 
Colombo Page reports that around 25,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) remaining in welfare centers will be resettled by the Sri Lankan Government as soon as the demining is completed in the areas where they are to be resettled. The Government producing resettlement figures said on September 1
Read more...
Colombo Page reports that around 25,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) remaining in welfare centers will be resettled by the Sri Lankan Government as soon as the demining is completed in the areas where they are to be resettled. The Government producing resettlement figures said on September 16 that the total number of IDPs remaining in welfare centers in Vavuniya, Mannar and Trincomalee has come down to 25, 260 from over 280,000 IDPs who escaped from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in last phases of the war in 2009.
Read less...
September - 27 
The media spokesman of Sri Lanka Army, Major General Ubaya Medawala, on September 27 said that the resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Eastern Province is totally completed at present and it is successfully being carried out in the Northern Province as well, according to Asian
Read more...
The media spokesman of Sri Lanka Army, Major General Ubaya Medawala, on September 27 said that the resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Eastern Province is totally completed at present and it is successfully being carried out in the Northern Province as well, according to Asian Tribune. According to the spokesman.90 per cent of the displaced families were resettled in their original abodes and only 27,000 persons temporarily housed in 5 relief villages were yet to be resettled.
Read less...
September - 29 
The Sri Lankan Government on September 29 (today) organised a special job fair for the rehabilitated former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) combatants in Vavuniya at Pompemadu rehabilitation centre, reports Colombo Page. Deputy Minister of Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Vijithamuni Zoysa
Read more...
The Sri Lankan Government on September 29 (today) organised a special job fair for the rehabilitated former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) combatants in Vavuniya at Pompemadu rehabilitation centre, reports Colombo Page. Deputy Minister of Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Vijithamuni Zoysa told the local media that a job fair will be held for the former LTTE cadres who completed their rehabilitation and vocational training. According to the Minister over 25 private sector organizations from various fields such as garments and construction would participate in the job fair.
Read less...
September - 30 
Colombo Page reports that President Mahinda Rajapaksa on September 30 (today) approved the prison sentence given by the second court martial against former Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka. According to local media the President recommended a 30-month jail term for Fonseka. The second court mar
Read more...
Colombo Page reports that President Mahinda Rajapaksa on September 30 (today) approved the prison sentence given by the second court martial against former Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka. According to local media the President recommended a 30-month jail term for Fonseka. The second court martial recommended a prison sentence of maximum three years for Fonseka after finding him guilty of four charges related to alleged irregularities in military procurements during his tenure as Army Chief.
Read less...
September - 30 
Robert Blake, a senior American diplomat, suggested that the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), established by the Sri Lanka Government should identify persons responsible for the serious violation of international humanitarian laws that occurred in the final stages of the conflict
Read more...
Robert Blake, a senior American diplomat, suggested that the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), established by the Sri Lanka Government should identify persons responsible for the serious violation of international humanitarian laws that occurred in the final stages of the conflict with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants. Blake made this “expressed view of the United States” when he addressed the World Affairs Council in San Diego in California on September 30.
Read less...
October - 4 
Sri Lanka's Tamil Political Parties Forum (TPPF), on October 4 asked the Government to start a civil administration in the North after ending the military administration, reports Colombo Page. Former Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP and Tamil National Liberation Front (TNLF) General Secretary M.K.
Read more...
Sri Lanka's Tamil Political Parties Forum (TPPF), on October 4 asked the Government to start a civil administration in the North after ending the military administration, reports Colombo Page. Former Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP and Tamil National Liberation Front (TNLF) General Secretary M.K. Sivajilingam said that there was no need for the Government to continue an administration managed by the Armed Forces in the North following the end of the war.
Read less...
October - 12 
Sri Lanka's main opposition United National Party (UNP) said on October 12 that it would continue to agitate for the freedom of former Army Commander and democratic National Alliance (DNA) leader Sarath Fonseka. The UNP has planned countrywide demonstrations on December 10 to coincide with the Inte
Read more...
Sri Lanka's main opposition United National Party (UNP) said on October 12 that it would continue to agitate for the freedom of former Army Commander and democratic National Alliance (DNA) leader Sarath Fonseka. The UNP has planned countrywide demonstrations on December 10 to coincide with the International Human Rights Day to urge the Government to release Fonseka. UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake said that the party had also organized protest rallies in 20 Districts in the country to be held in November 2010. Attanayake added that the country needed to agitate for the release of the man who had liberated the country from terrorism.
Read less...
October - 15 
With India insisting that it was time for Sri Lanka to act decisively to "win over" ethnic minority, President Mahinda Rajapakse on October 15 assured Prime Minister (PM) Manmohan Singh that he would hold dialogue with a "broader spectrum" of stakeholders to address the Tamil issue, reports Times of
Read more...
With India insisting that it was time for Sri Lanka to act decisively to "win over" ethnic minority, President Mahinda Rajapakse on October 15 assured Prime Minister (PM) Manmohan Singh that he would hold dialogue with a "broader spectrum" of stakeholders to address the Tamil issue, reports Times of India. The Sri Lankan leader told the PM that the country [Sri Lanka] was able to resettle over 2.5 lakh displaced civilians to their towns and villages in just 15 months after the end of the war and only 20,000 people are still lodged in camps. "… We indicated that... we want to talk to a broader spectrum of stakeholders as possible. That is the only way to do this, to get their ideas and to build a consensus," Sri Lankan Foreign Minister G. L. Peiris told reporters. Asked about the devolution of powers, Peiris said Sri Lanka was committed to implement the 13th amendment except one aspect of it and will continue to hold dialogue with all stakeholders.
Read less...
October - 19 
President Mahinda Rajapakse on October 19 said his Government would like consensus among all Tamil political parties for a political solution to the ethnic conflict, reported The Hindu. Talking to a delegation from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in Colombo, he said reconciliation needed
Read more...
President Mahinda Rajapakse on October 19 said his Government would like consensus among all Tamil political parties for a political solution to the ethnic conflict, reported The Hindu. Talking to a delegation from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in Colombo, he said reconciliation needed a home grown solution and not one transported from elsewhere, even from Northern Ireland. “It must be based on our own experience,” he stressed. On the question of the provincial administration in the North, he said the priority would be local Government elections due early next year and they would be followed with election to the Northern Provincial Council. To another question on the progress of moves for devolution of power, Rajapakse told the delegates that whatever solution arrived at must be one that is acceptable to the people. “He was emphatic in stating that what the LTTE [Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam] wanted could not be given. But any reasonable aspect of devolution, for which all parties have consensual agreement, can be granted by Parliament,” he said. The President said he would encourage all parties to come to a settlement, and that Parliament must finally decide, as there was the need for a 2/3 majority for any Constitutional change,” a statement issued by the President's Office quoted him as saying. He also the people of the North need essentials like water, electricity, schools, health services and education, adding, “There was a yearning for development among the Tamil people, asserting that there could be no development without peace and vice versa”.
Read less...
October - 28 
The British Prime Minister David Cameron said that there should be an independent investigation into what happened during the decisive phase of Sri Lanka's war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in 2009. Cameron made this observation while responding to a query by the opposition Lab
Read more...
The British Prime Minister David Cameron said that there should be an independent investigation into what happened during the decisive phase of Sri Lanka's war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in 2009. Cameron made this observation while responding to a query by the opposition Labour Party Member of Parliament (MP) Siobhain McDonagh on the assassination and civil rights abuses allegedly taking place in Sri Lanka. "We need to see an independent investigation of what happened. Everyone has read the papers and seen the TV footage, but we need an independent investigation to work out whether what she suggests is right," he said. However, he did not call for an international war crime tribunal as the opposition MP suggested.
Read less...
November - 10 November - 11
Following the telecast of a story of alleged war crimes committed on Tamil civilians by the Sri Lankan Security Forces during the final stages of Sri Lanka's war against Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in 2009 by the Doha based international news channel Al Jazeera, the Sri Lankan Government
Read more...
Following the telecast of a story of alleged war crimes committed on Tamil civilians by the Sri Lankan Security Forces during the final stages of Sri Lanka's war against Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in 2009 by the Doha based international news channel Al Jazeera, the Sri Lankan Government accused the news channel of attempting to tarnish the image of country's Army, Colombo Page reported on November 12. Issuing a press release, the Media Centre for National Security said the fake News telecasted with some pictures without any reliable source by the Al Jazeera television is an attempt to tarnish the image of the Government troops as well as to deteriorate the process of the Lesson Learnt and Reconciliation Commission. Earlier, on November 10, Al Jazeera had published unverified photographs showing a mound of dead bodies piled up in a trailer and an associated video clip describing that the scene appears to be a mop up operation by the Sri Lankan Army.
Read less...
November - 11 
The Hindu reports that the Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna on November 11 said that a pilot project to construct 1,000 houses for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), i.e. Tamils, in northern and eastern Sri Lanka will begin soon. He said the construction of the dwelling units was part
Read more...
The Hindu reports that the Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna on November 11 said that a pilot project to construct 1,000 houses for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), i.e. Tamils, in northern and eastern Sri Lanka will begin soon. He said the construction of the dwelling units was part of India's commitment to build 50,000 houses for the IDPs. Besides, to revive the agricultural activities in northern Sri Lanka, India was procuring 500 tractors and other agricultural implements to be distributed among IDPs, and also dispatching seeds for the Maha season (cultivation season extending from October to January).
Read less...
November - 21 
Speaking to The Hindu on November 21 Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse, confirmed that he had a political solution to the Tamil question in mind and that discussions with political parties and the people would go ahead. “[On devolution] we must know the minds of the people… What we want is rec
Read more...
Speaking to The Hindu on November 21 Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse, confirmed that he had a political solution to the Tamil question in mind and that discussions with political parties and the people would go ahead. “[On devolution] we must know the minds of the people… What we want is reconfirmation of what they want… The solution that I have in mind might not be good enough for them; they might not accept it. Not only the political parties, the people must accept it… We want to appoint a committee, from both sides, and discuss all these,” Rajapakse said.
Read less...
November - 30 
In a letter to Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna, the Tamil Parties Forum (TPF), the umbrella organisation of Sri Lankan Tamil parties and Tamil National Alliance (TNA), said that efforts by India to ensure ‘equality and justice' to Sri Lankan Tamils should be carried forward, The Hindu
Read more...
In a letter to Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna, the Tamil Parties Forum (TPF), the umbrella organisation of Sri Lankan Tamil parties and Tamil National Alliance (TNA), said that efforts by India to ensure ‘equality and justice' to Sri Lankan Tamils should be carried forward, The Hindu reported on November 30. The letter said one of the main reasons for the discontent between the communities was the ‘state-sponsored colonisation' by successive Governments in the past with the motive of altering the demographic composition in the North-East.
Read less...
December - 6 
Sri Lanka's main opposition United National Party (UNP) Hambanthota District Parliamentarian (MP) Sajith Premadasa on December 6 said that only the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) members had committed war crimes in Sri Lanka, according to Colombo Page. "If war crimes had been committed in
Read more...
Sri Lanka's main opposition United National Party (UNP) Hambanthota District Parliamentarian (MP) Sajith Premadasa on December 6 said that only the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) members had committed war crimes in Sri Lanka, according to Colombo Page. "If war crimes had been committed in Sri Lanka they were only committed by the LTTE," Premadasa said in the parliament in response to a question raised by Housing Minister Wimal Weerawansa.
Read less...
December - 8 
The Sri Lankan Government on December 8 said that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants had executed Sri Lankan Security Forces personnel imprisoned by them during the final stages of the war in 2009, reports Colombo Page. Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne told the Parliament that severa
Read more...
The Sri Lankan Government on December 8 said that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants had executed Sri Lankan Security Forces personnel imprisoned by them during the final stages of the war in 2009, reports Colombo Page. Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne told the Parliament that several hardcore LTTE cadres who were arrested from the Vavuniya welfare camps had revealed that 60 soldiers who were in LTTE custody were executed by them during the finals stages of the war.
Read less...
December - 26 
The Sri Lankan Government declared that steps would be taken to expedite the release of detained members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) after their rehabilitation, Colombo Page reported on December 26. Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Minister Chandrasiri Gajadeera said that the Gov
Read more...
The Sri Lankan Government declared that steps would be taken to expedite the release of detained members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) after their rehabilitation, Colombo Page reported on December 26. Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Minister Chandrasiri Gajadeera said that the Government was considering necessary measures to release the remaining LTTE detainees at the earliest. The Minister added that 7000 former LTTE cadres have already been released after being rehabilitated.
Read less...
ADVANCED SEARCH
Incident Year Wise
Incidents- 2023
Incidents- 2022
Incidents- 2021
Incidents- 2020
Incidents- 2019
Incidents- 2018
Incidents- 2017
Incidents- 2016
Incidents- 2015
Incidents- 2014
Incidents- 2013
Incidents- 2012
Incidents- 2011
Incidents- 2010
Incidents- 2009
Incidents- 2008
Incidents- 2007
Incidents- 2006
Incidents- 2005
Incidents- 2004
Incidents- 2003
Incidents- 2002
Incidents- 2001
Incidents- 2000
Country :
--All--
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
Maldives
Nepal
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
Zone :
--All--
State :
--All--
District :
--All--
Date From :
The Valid date is required
Date To:
The Valid date is required