Monthly archive

M.A. Kader-Asian Tribune Correspondent in Bangladesh

India has warned Bangladesh's political leadership, including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, of a possible assassination plot, an Indian English daily reported Saturday. The Indian Express said foreign secretary Shiv Shankar Menon had informed Dhaka of the threat during a recent visit. Menon arrived in the capital on an "unscheduled visit" on April 12. The Express on Saturday, meanwhile, quoting unnamed sources said Menon during the visit exchanged notes with his Bangladesh counterpart on the activities of radical groups that were suspected to have played a role in the recent BDR massacre.

Kosh Raj Koirala – Asian Tribune Correspondent in Nepal

China has said that it is ‘positive’ about providing duty free access to 497 Nepali goods available in Chinese market. During a visit of Nepali Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav, the northern neighbor also announced to increase its annual aid to Nepal, from RMB 100 million to RMB 150 million (Rs 1.75 billion). The Chinese offers are aimed at bridging the widening trade deficit between the two countries. The Sino-Nepal trade volume currently stands at $4,010 million. While the giant neighbor sells goods worth about $386 million, Nepal is struggling with the export of a mere $15 million

By Farzana Shah-Asian Tribune Correspondent in Pakistan

As many as 27 people including 25 security personnel were killed and scores others injured in a suicide attack on a Pakistani military convoy in Hangu, North West Frontier Province on Saturday. A suicide bomber rammed his explosives laden vehicle into the security forces convey near Doaba Police Station in Hangu.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Hangu, Fareed Khan told that the bomber driving a vehicle hit the security forces convoy while passing by the police check-post near Doaba Police Station, resultantly 27 people including 25 security officials were killed and 15 others injured.

By Tsaanee Gunasekara

President Mahinda Rajapakse went to Killinochchi, manifestly with one eye on the upcoming elections in the Western Province. Posters asking Colombo voters to back the UPFA in order to ‘protect the struggle that protects the country’ are ubiquitous in the city and the suburbs. For the government these are the fruits of defeating the Tigers. For the country the Rajapakse Rule has brought other, rather less beneficial, gifts. Alienated minorities, a hostile Tamil Nadu, a tattered international reputation, an economy in ruins (including an impending debt trap) form just the tip of the iceberg of the current Lankan crisis. And these manifold negatives of the Rajapakses’ total war strategy may well overtake its one massive positive – the end of the LTTE as a conventional fighting force.

Thaksin ShinawatraIt is now confirmed that Nicaragua has issued a passport for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.Foreign Ministry Spokesman Tharit Charungwat said on Friday that the Ministry has verified reports and can now confirm that the government of Nicaragua has issued a diplomatic passport for Mr. Thaksin, in his capacity as a special envoy for foreign investment. This travel document allows Mr. Thaksin – wanted in Thailand now for inciting this week’s political riots – the mobility of travelling to various countries.

By Quintus Perera – Asian Tribune

Microsoft Sri Lanka for the seventh consecutive year, opens its’ globally renowned Imagine Cup competition to university students across Sri Lanka – in a search for the most imaginative and practical solutions to the toughest challenges of the modern world. This years competition will be conducted under the theme "Imagine a world where technology helps solve the toughest problems facing us today" Microsoft Sri Lanka will work side by side with the Government, as it takes the lead in organising this year’s local competition.

By Atul Cowshish - Syndicate Features

The unending and sometimes pointless debate in the country between 'progressive' and 'regressive'—or whatever other labels one prefers—is supposed to be about what is the best way to lead the country forward and also ensure that this nation of one billion plus—a sixth of humanity—takes its rightful place in the comity of nations. There may be some reservations about accepting that prescription. But will anyone contest that you can march forward only if you look ahead; turning your face backward is not the best way to advance. So, how does the election manifesto of Mulayam Singh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party appear? Certainly, not as the one that has any idea about shaping the future of this country.

A commentary by L. Jayasooriya

One might ask what Prabakaran has got to do with the high living standards of the West. The answer is that he has everything got to do with it because if he could be made use of to de-stabilize Sri Lanka then it would be a very simple matter to de-stabilize India and the threat that India poses to the West in being highly competitive in high tech equipment could be removed. Akashi will also give a sigh of relief. He has visited Sri Lanka 13 times and I hear he is encouraged to make his 14th visit to join in the plan to help the LTTE. Some time ago there has even been mention of UN troops in this regard. Where is his 4.5 billion dollar bait now?