Monthly archive

Ruwan Weerakoon from Colombo

The news story carried by certain Foreign news agencies alleging that 378 civilians were killed and 1,122 injured due to artillery shelling by the Sri Lanka Army on a hospital at Vellamullivaikkal in Mullaitivu has been strongly denied by the Sri Lanka Army. The news reports quoted a government doctor named Dr. V. Shanmugarajah working within the No Fire Zone. This raises doubts as to the veracity of the story. Sources say that the doctor had spoken to the journalist based in Colombo by a satellite phone. The Health Ministry says that it has not provided any satellite (or sat) phones to any of the ministry officials in the conflict zone.

By Janaka Perera

There is a saying that all are equal, but some are more equal. Sri Lanka’s Environment and Natural Resources Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka echoed this when he told a media briefing late last month that the global war on terror was a farce, calling the Co-Chairs 'Terrorist Chairs'. From the Middle-East through Afghanistan to India and Sri Lanka we are witnessing this duplicity. Noting this in a recent interview with the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation JHU (National Heritage Party) Parliamentarian Venerable Athureliye Ratana stressed the need for an Asian security system.

M.A Qader-Asian Tribune Correspondent in Bangladesh

Bangladesh Supreme Court Chief Justice MM Ruhul Amin assigned a bench comprising two judges to hear the petition after a High Court bench failed to hear Khaleda Zia's petition over her cantonment house Sunday. The new bench consists of Justice M Anwarul Haq and Justice Farah Mahbub is expected to fix a date to hear the petition that challenged the legality of the government decision to cancel the allotment of the former prime minister's house. Earlier on May 3, two division benches of the High Court did not to hear the same petition.

M.A Qader- Asian Tribune Correspondent in Bangladesh

Eminent nuclear scientist Dr MA Wazed Miah, husband of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday was laid to rest at his family graveyard in Pirganj upazila of Rangpur district. He was laid to eternal rest at his family graveyard beside his parents after a second namaz-e-janaza in the afternoon. The first namaz-e-janaza of Dr MA Wazed Miah was held at Baitul Mokarram National Mosque in the capital yesterday morning. Hundreds of people from all walks of life paid tribute to the eminent nuclear scientist by showering flowers on his coffin.

The Coalition for Jerusalem has delivered a letter to Pope Benedict XVI through the Apostolic Delegation Office in Jerusalem urging the Pope to remember and pray for the Palestinians who are direct victims of this war. "In asking for forgiveness for the atrocities committed by people in our recent history, we are hopeful that your Holiness will speak out against the continuing atrocities that are committed against the Palestinian people." While welcoming the Pope Benedict XVI to Jerusalem and to the Holy Land, 'The Coalition for Jerusalem' has urged that he will not forsake the Palestinian people who look up to his help to lift this injustice and to achieve their sacred rights of freedom, independence and self determination.

By Alla Baksh - Syndicate Features

It now appears that matters foreign will require urgent attention of the government that comes to power after the 15th Lok Sabha polls. A question that will bother some is: will the next administration in Delhi be able to handle on a priority basis the crisis that has gripped three countries surrounding India, and the hints of a chill in bilateral relations with the US. India itself may face a crisis of sorts if, as predicted by most pundits, the poll verdict is again fractured. There is a chance that political equations may have to be rewritten after the polls and it will present the sight of some strange bedfellows coming together.