Harsha to lead committee to implement SAITM proposals

Sri Lanka hopeful of Indian backing at UNHRC

Sri Lanka said it remained hopeful of India’s backing against a U.S. sponsored resolution at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, the Xinhua Chinese news agency reported. Sri Lanka’s Foreign Secretary Karunatillaka Amunugama told Xinhua that India is likely to make its decision however at the very last minute when the final document is presented. “Of course we will remain hopeful that India will back us. Even we are waiting to see what their response is,” Amunugama said. India had

13 Mar, 2013

Japan, Sri Lanka to beef up maritime security alliance

Japan plans to strengthen its maritime security alliance with Sri Lanka to curb China’s growing influence on countries with Indian Ocean coastlines,?The Asahi Shimbun reported today. A joint statement on maritime security cooperation will be issued after a meeting between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on March 14, sources said. The Japanese newspaper report said that China, which replaced Japan as the largest aid provider to Sri Lanka in 2009, has been help

13 Mar, 2013

No new Pope after first ballot

The 115 voting cardinals will need at least one more day to decide the new leader of the Catholic Church. The conclave cast its first ballot for a pope Tuesday night and the smoke was black. Shortly after nightfall, the first signs of smoke filled the air above the Sistine Chapel. There was no doubt to the thousands who had gathered on St. Peter?s Square to stand vigil on a damp and rainy night that it was black smoke billowing from the chimney. A Vatican official quoted by one news service says

13 Mar, 2013