The UK Home Office has revealed that 99 suspected war criminals made immigration applications in the UK last year.

Under a Freedom of Information Act request from the BBC, the Home Office said suspects came from countries including Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Rwanda, Serbia and Sri Lanka.

The figures show that in the 15 months from January 2012, the Home Office researched nearly 800 cases where individuals were suspected of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

"If a thousand Australians drowned in sinking boats in Sydney harbour, it would be a national tragedy. The prime minister would lead the nation in mourning; the world would offer condolences. By one measure, 1,376 refugees have drowned trying to reach Australia since 1998, many within range of rescue.

The policy in Canberra, known as "stop the boats", evokes the hysteria and cynicism of more than a century ago when the "yellow peril" was said to be about to fall down on Australia as if by the force of gravity. Last week the prime minister, Kevin Rudd, reached back to this era when he declared that no refugees in boats would be permitted to land in Australia. Instead, they are to be sent to concentration camps in impoverished Papua New Guinea, whose government has been suitably bribed.

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa outlined today that the issue of distribution of police and land powers to provincial councils would not change, reiterating that the powers would always remain with the government, reported Colombo Page.

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority has revised its targets for tourist arrivals in 2013 downwards.

The authrority initially forecast a figure of 1.25 million arrivals, but has now revised it to 1.1 million.

SLTDA director general D.S. Jayaweera said: "Tourist arrivals have increased drastically over the past four years,

The Sri Lankan Chief Justice has announced that court cases involving Buddhist monks will be heard in special “Sangha Courts”.

Chief Justice Mohan Peiris said that the courts would process cases in days, unlike other court cases which may be postponed.

Read more on ColomboPage.