Expressing dismay at the “ chauvinistic attitude ” of the Sri Lankan state, former US Deputy Secretary of State said on Friday the international community was united in its criticism of Sri Lanka’s conduct in the north and east and that President Mahinda Rajapaksa would not be welcomed internationally unless conditions there improved. Speaking alongside Mr. Armitage at the launch of the Norwegian evaluation of Oslo’s peace process in Sri Lanka, and echoing his message, Norwegian minister for Environment and International Development, and former peace envoy, Erik Solheim also said the question of accountability for the mass killings of civilians in last phase of the war “will not go away ”, and that “ the only way the Sri Lankan state can reduce the impact of this is to reach out to Tamils and find a way of resolving the Tamil issue .” They were speaking in Oslo at the formal launch of the evaluation report on Norway’s protracted peace role in Sri Lanka, at which the question of Sri Lanka’s future was also discussed. Mr Armitage told the audience, “ I don’t think anyone disagrees that the Tamil people have been mistreated and are continuing to lack – across the board – fundamental freedoms, dignity , etc,” “Much to my dismay the government of Sri Lanka is still caught up in a chauvinistic attitude ,” “ I don’t think they’ve been far sighted enough in their approach to the north and east. There has been a somewhat lessening of violence there, somewhat lessening of the abductions and things of this nature, but not sufficient .” “From the US point of view we are quite dismayed at the lack of progress in human freedoms, human rights , etc, and I made that view known [to President Rajapaksa ].” “But what to do about it is the question." "[Firstly] the international community is generally coalesced around the fact that the north and the east particularly need protections , and the government of Sri Lanka has to move in that direction. … That is the united message the international community gives .

A 27-year old Tamil man died last night after committing suicide in Sydney's Villawood detention centre, drawing the ire of many refugee advocacy groups who blame the Australian immigration system. The man was deemed to be a genuine refugee and was awaiting security clearance from the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO). He had been held in detention by Australian authorities for over 2 years after fleeing Sri Lanka, first at Christmas Island before being transferred to Villawood. Australia's Immigration Minister Chris Bowen confirmed that the man had recently requested to leave the centre to visit friends for the Hindu festival of Deepavali. The request was denied yesterday. The young man was found dead in his room at approximately 3am after a suspected overdose of sleeping tablets. It marks the sixth suicide of a refugee in Australian detention since last year, with four of them having occured at Villawood. The death has led to anger from many refugee advocacy groups who blame government policies of mandatory detention of having a profound detrimental effect on the lives of genuine refugees. Ian Rintoul, spokesman for Refugee Action Coalition told reporters, "How many more lives will it take before the government acts to end mandatory detention? "How absolutely tragic, but how telling, that an accepted refugee could feel despair enough to take their own life in a detention centre."

Following days of revelations, the British defence secretary Liam Fox resigned, admitting he had allowed the line between personal and government interests to "become blurred". Questions regarding the defence and military support extended to the Sri Lankan government during the Fox-Werritty era remain unanswered however.

British Defence Secretary Liam Fox (l) has long been a supporter of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, especially after accusations of mass killings by the latter's regime. Dr Fox is at the centre of a political storm in Britain over his working relationship with a close friend, Mr. Adam Werritty (pictured at the back (circled) on a visit to Sri Lanka in July) .