Monthly archive

French police arrested eight Tamil youths near the Theatre le Trianon, the venue of the ‘Api Wenuwen Api’ the Musical and Cultural Show conducted by the troupe of the Sri lankan security force members on April 25. While 6 Tamil youth were arrested when the police found several weapons in the vehicle in which they traveled, 4 others were held in front of the Theatre. The car was parked close to the Theatre le Trianon, which is one of the best theatres in the famous entertainment area in the French capital. The musical show was organized by a committee of expatriate Sri Lankans Headed by Ven Parawahera Chndaratana Nayaka Thero, Chief High Priest of the International Buddhist Centre.

By Asif Haroon Raja

After fragmenting Soviet Union and converting it into Russian Federation in 1991, USA emerged as the sole super power and assumed the responsibility of sole policeman of the world. It then went about re-integrating Europe and reconstructing East Europe and began to expand its military arm eastwards through NATO. The NATO was turned into a Rapid Deployment Force (RDF) to reach any troubled spot in the world. This was done to justify its existence since it had lost its raison d’etre after the demise of Warsaw Pact. Instead of letting the remnant of erstwhile USSR getting further fragmented into nothingness, USA opted to prevent it from sinking by extending financial assistance.

M.A Kader-Asian Tribune Correspondent in Bangladesh

In the backdrop of acute power and water crisis in Dhaka city Bangladesh Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday asked the authorities concerned to force their hands to ease power and water crises and redirect power to towns from areas where paddy is being harvested. Hasina summoned the power secretary, Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA) chairman, managing directors of DESCO and DPCC at her office yesterday, a day after she came from Saudi Arabia and had a long meeting to resolve the problems crippling life across the country amid a sweltering heat wave. A press release signed by her deputy press secretary, Mahbubul Haq Shakil, said she directed the authorities to inform people in advance on radio, television and in mosques about power cuts.

By M Rama Rao, India Editor, Asian Tribune

Karunanidhi In a surprise move, DMK patriarch Muthavel Karunanidhi (84) has gone on an indefinite fast Monday morning in Chennai. His demand - immediate ceasefire in Sri Lanka's troubled North. His son Azhagiri started a fast in Madurai. 'Let me one of Rajapaksa's victims', he told reporters as he drove from his home to the memorial for late C N Annadurai near the Marina beach, where he started his fast in the presence of senior party colleagues. The DMK leader asked party cadres not to emulate his example. ‘No need for you to observe fast along with me’, he said. ‘It is my decision and I do not want others to join’.

Sri Lanka Government has anounced the immediate conclusion of the combat operations in the Vanni region. Sri Lankan Forces are ordered to end the use of heavy caliber guns, combat aircraft and aerial weapons which could cause civilian causalities. Sri Lanka Governmnent in a statement released after the conclusion of the National Security Council meeting, said, "Our security forces will confine their attempts to rescuing civilians who are held hostage and give foremost priority to saving civilians."

By Farzana Shah-Asian Tribune correspondent in Pakistan

The Pakistani military on Sunday started an offensive against Taliban to stop them from extending their clout to Lower Dir district in Northwestern Pakistan. Five militants including a key commander of banned Tehreek-i-Talban, Mualvi Shahid have been killed in Maidan area of lower Dir, as gunship helicopters pound hideouts of militants in Dakori.Security forces have seized control of the Lal Qila after fierce gun-batlle with militants in an ongoing operation in Lower Dir on Sunday.