There was a sharp rise in violence in the already restive Batticaloa district this week as the shadow war between the Sri Lankan military and the Liberation Tigers escalated

Sri Lanka’s military and the Liberation Tigers are locked in a ‘subversive war,’ visiting Norwegian envoy Major Gen. (retd) Trond Furuhovde said Friday

Sri Lanka is feeding the violence – and exploiting the results.

Rajapakse’s declarations are not merely rhetoric

In his Presidential manifesto, Mahinda Rajapakse said he would hold talks with the Liberation Tigers on “ending separatism, disarming and [their] entering the democratic process”

Tea production is on the decline because of increasing alcohol consumption among the plantation community

The government last week announced it had decided to revise the stringent buffer zone regulations in tsunami affected districts with immediate effect

The campaign for Sri Lanka’s presidency was raised to a new high with a Buddhist organisation demanding the legalising of “moonshine” and cannabis and a jail term for abortion

Lanka seeks Middle Eastern tourists * Vets fan out over bird flu * Army says human rights training complete * Arson attack on HRC office * Laws for drivers'' physical fitness

Aid miracles possible from peace - UN * ADB funds post-tsunami rebuilding * Norway aids ILO’s post-tsunami work * Sri Lanka campaigns for Dhanapala * Court orders final report on Sivaram murder

At the heart of the policy dispute would be devolution – or the rejection thereof.

The United Nations Children’s agency and the Liberation Tigers agreed to review a bilateral program to rehabilitate children affected by war.

Japanese Red Cross in Trinco * Chickenpox vaccinations * French funds for Trinco rebuilding *

Regardless of who wins the Presidential polls, the prospects for a revival of the Norwegian initiative look slim.