Arrest warrant issued against former Sri Lankan envoy

Ban urges non-violence on Vesak

UN Secretary Geberal Ban Ki-moon says?a spirit of non-violence is needed to help inspire peace and quell conflict. In his Vesak Day message, the UN Chief said that that Vesak is an opportunity for all members of the international community to benefit from their rich traditions. “This year?s observance, falling at a time of widespread strife and misery, is an occasion to examine how Buddhist teachings can inform our response to prevailing challenges,” he said. “Confronting the troubling proble

24 May, 2013

Australia sends back 31 Lankans

Australia has sent back another 31 Sri Lankan irregular maritime arrivals after they failed to meet Australia?s international obligations, the Australian High Commission said today. The group departed Christmas Island yesterday to be flown back to Colombol. Their return takes the number of Sri Lankans sent home to 1161 ? 950 of them involuntarily – since August last year. Australian Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Brendan O’Connor?said returning the group to Sri Lankans sends a powerful

23 May, 2013

More than 20 disappearances last year

More than 20 alleged enforced disappearances were reported in Sri Lanka last year, the annual human rights report released today by the London based Amnesty International (AI) said. The victims included political activists, business people and suspected criminals. The report slammed Sri Lanka saying that?Government officials and supporters harassed and threatened human rights defenders, journalists and members of the judiciary who spoke out about abuses of power or advocated human rights account

23 May, 2013