Sri Lankan Conflict

Sri Lanka on verge of defeating terrorism: Hillary Clinton Xinhuanet — U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton acknowledged that Sri Lanka is now on the verge of defeating terrorism, and that this presented a great opportunity to restore peace, leading to reconstruction and rehabilitation in the country, according to a statement issued by Sri Lanka's presidential office on Friday. She made the remarks when speaking to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse by telephone Friday evening, said the statement. click to read complete article

U.N. rights chief points to war crimes in Sri Lanka International Herald Tribune — Both sides in Sri Lanka's conflict may have committed war crimes and must suspend fighting to let up to 180,000 civilians escape, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said on Friday. Warning that the loss of life may reach "catastrophic levels," she urged the government and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebels to halt hostilities to allow the evacuation of civilians trapped on the northeastern coast. click to read complete article

Deadly surge in S Lanka fighting BBC — Both the Sri Lankan army and sources supportive of Tamil Tiger rebels have reported a bloody escalation in the fighting in the country's north-east. A military spokesman said it had killed about 100 rebels in a series of clashes since Friday. click to read complete article