What did the secretary general ask for - and what did he eventually get?
Sri Lanka's two Presidential candidates are campaigning on the same themes. But they have nothing in common - and it's not just a question of policies.
Despite having earned the respect of its fellow relief agencies through its dedication and professionalism, the TRO continues be vilified by Sinhala nationalists, including the mainstream press in Sri Lanka.
In the past two weeks, Mr. Rajapakse has nailed his colours – a deep shade of saffron - to the mast.
Many younger members of the SLFP are less enamoured of the Bandaranaike clan’s continued dominance of their party’s top-flight positions.
Delhi places multi-billion dollar orders for European airliners and submarines as nuclear collaboration and security alliances are proposed.
Antagonism between the Liberation Tigers and the Sri Lankan security forces the restive Batticaloa-Amparai region deepened this week amid a continuing cycle of violence.
Washington’s amendments to the UN summit agreement is an assertion that US interests should almost always take precedence over the search for compromise with an international community.
Iraq’s Kurds regard the new constitution as but a way station on a journey to eventual independence.
The visit to Sri Lanka by a senior United Nations official sparks speculation that Colombo may be looking for a way to replace Norway as peace facilitator with the UN.