Apr 20-26: "Language is the picture and counterpart of thought " - Mark Hopkins (1802-1887), American educator
Over-Confident SLA Again Walks Into A Deadly LTTE Trap
by B. Raman
For the second time in less than two years, an over-confident Sri Lankan Army (SLA) has walked into a deadly trap laid by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the Muhamalai area near Jaffna in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka on April 23 ,2008, and faced a rout. [TC]
Government bars photographers, censors news from war front
Government officials barred photographers from entering hospitals where soldiers injured in battle are being treated, four photo journalists told the Free Media Movement (FMM) yesterday. Hitherto, photographers have had no problems in entering hospitals to report on the casualties of war. It is highly likely that these measures have been taken after heavy losses (numbering in the hundreds) faced by the Sri Lankan Army earlier this week after fighting intensified in the North. [FI]
Iran To Train Sri Lankan Intelligence & Army Officers
By B. Raman
President Mahmud Ahmadinejad of Iran is to visit Sri Lanka for two days from April 28, 2008, in response to an invitation from President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who had visited Iran in November, 2007. [TC]Tigers' feint kills 100 Sri Lanka troops
From Iqbal Athas
More than 100 Sri Lankan soldiers were killed and another 400 wounded Wednesday when troops attempted to advance toward a stronghold of the Tamil Tigers rebel organization, highly placed army sources told CNN. [CNN]
Claymore Kills “Kili Father” M.X. Karunaratnam at Ambaikulam
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
One more name was added last sunday to Sri Lanka’s growing list of Tamil Christian clergymen killed in the on going ethnic conflict.
The latest victim was the Catholic priest Rev.Fr Mariampillai Xavier Karunaratnam popularly known as “Kilifather” .He was killed in a claymore mine explosion on April 20th. [TC]
IDPs continue to flee fighting in northwest
Intensified fighting in recent months in Sri Lanka’s restive northwestern Mannar District has forced more than 16,000 people to flee to safe areas within the region. [FI]
Senior U.S. State Department Official Visits Sri Lanka April 20-22
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Don Camp visited Colombo April 20-22 as part of the U.S. Government’s regular, ongoing consultations with the Sri Lankan Government. [FI]
NPC laments Rev Fr Karunaratnam assassinationA Lamentable Loss to Civil Society and to the Country:
The killing of Fr Karunaratnam adds to the heavy toll of humanitarian, human rights and religious workers killed in the course of the ethnic conflict. The National Peace Council condemns this targeted killing of a senior Catholic priest and human rights worker. [FI]
by Nirgunan Tiruchelvam
Dr. Chanaka Amaratunga, the founder of the Liberal Party, turns 50 today, April 19th. In cricket, when a batsman crosses 50 he raises his bat to acknowledge the applause of the crowd. But Chanaka, a lifelong hater of cricket, was not a man who played to the gallery.In fact, a defiance of populism defined his career. [TC]
The rise in rice prices: A conundrum of sorts
by Dr. Vickramabahu Karunaratne
The rise in rice prices is not favourable for the agricultural sector. Those who claim that it is so, point to the rise in value of agricultural products. In fact, strong claims are being made of rising prices not only of rice but also, of rubber, coconut and tea. It is true that small producers of all these and other commercial agricultural products are to some extent enjoying the boom. However, the actual situation does not justify the claims of the Government. [FI]
Video: Governor of Sri Lanka’s Central Bank, on conclusive victory and maintaining economic growth
The Colombo government believes it can win a conclusive victory over the rebels and maintain Sri Lanka’s economic growth.
Ajith Cabraal, Governor of Sri Lanka’s central bank talks to Stephen Sackur, BBC: [TC-YouTube]
Designing a pluralist peace process in Sri Lanka
By Harim Peiris
Sri Lanka’s peace process faces two strategic challenges, firstly transforming the Sri Lankan state to accommodate the full diversity of its society and secondly transforming the LTTE from a military organization to a socio-political one. [FI]
Priyanka looks for closure on her father's case. Willy-nilly, it becomes a political act. ......
By Saba Naqvi Bhaumik
Grief and forgiveness. Rage and repentance. Tears and atonement. The meeting between Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Nalini, one of her father's assassins, must have encompassed some of the strongest emotions of the human condition. It could have been the stuff of great world literature, maybe even a Dostoevsky novel in another time, were it not a riveting piece of contemporary news. So, immediately questions were raised: was this just an act of reconciliation by Priyanka or did she still have questions about her father's death? [OutlookIndia]
All Lands Home
Woe Canada: Keeping Canada in Afghanistan
By Samantha Power
The U.S. does not often look north to gauge its own security prospects. But over the past few months, Canada has been quietly embroiled in one of the most revealing political and international-security debates since the end of the cold war. It's a debate critical to the future of NATO. And its outcome may tell us a lot about the fate of the U.S.'s struggle against terrorism. [Time]