Writing in Declassified UK , Archana Ravichandradeva and Sutharshan Sukumaran warm against Sri Lanka's efforts to pave out its appalling human rights record with the language of environmental stewardship and urge the UK to "redouble its commitment to accountability, justice and a political solution that resolves the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka".
Sri Lanka has reiterated its position that it will not remove the military from the country's north, saying that the new government's priority remained with national security. Newly-appointed state minister of defence, Ruwan Wijewardena said President Maithripala Sirisena made it clear he will not allow the country to be divided. Speaking during a meeting with chief prelates of the Buddhist clergy in Kandy, Mr Wijewardena said the reports that army will be withdrawn were false, adding that the new government would ensure that the security forces are treated with respect and provided with all...
The Palestinian militant group controlling the Gaza strip, Hamas, welcomed the International Criminal Court decision to launch in an inquiry into war crimes committed in Palestinian territories. The spokesperson for Hamas, Fawzi Barhoum, welcoming the decision on Saturday, said , "What is needed now is to quickly take practical steps in this direction and we are ready to provide the court with thousands of reports and documents that confirm the Zionist enemy has committed horrible crimes against Gaza and against our people." The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, rejecting the idea...
Barack Obama and David Cameron, warned US congress that new sanctions on Iran could result in the collapse of nuclear negotiations with Iran. Outlining his intention to veto any sanctions bills passed by Congress, Mr Obama said that new US sanctions would give Iran an excuse to walk away from negotiations and blame Washington for the failure. Reiterating the US president's calls, the British premier, David Cameron, speaking at a White House press conference, said, "I respectfully request them to hold off for a few months to see it we have the possibility of solving a big problem without...
A spokesperson for Sri Lanka’s army has said no decision has been taken to reduce the number of troops in the military, noting instead that over 20,000 people had been recruited into the armed forces for "development projects". According to Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defence , when questioned by reporters on plans to reduce the size of the armed forces, army spokesperson Brigadier Jayanath Jayaweera responded by saying no such decision had been taken. Instead the brigadier told journalists that the security forces were “greatly involved in many development projects in various parts of the...
New footage obtained by Channel 4 news shows Tamil journalist Isaipriya alive and held by the Sri Lankan Army, contrary to earlier government reports.