Special Task Force soldier blocks a Muslim men tries to run through them with wooden poles outside a vandalized mosque in Colombo    

The United States has noted that in Sri Lanka, religious tensions continue to be a problem, and Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist communities often distrust one another.

In a report submitted to the Congress on the estimated number of refugees the US will seek to assist next year, the US Government says incidents such as sporadic attacks against the Christian community and th

A batch of 55 woman soldiers joined active duty at a Passing Out ceremony held at the Sri Lanka Army's 4th Signal Corps Parade Ground in Anuradhapura on Wednesday (18th December).

This is the first ever batch of woman recruits of mixed cultures to Pass Out and join national service in the annals of Sri Lankan military history. It also reflects the inroads which have been made under the post war reconciliation process in promoting social co-habitation and peace building.

I must admit to being deeply worried about the current state of relations between India and Sri Lanka. I contrast this with the excellent situation that obtained in 2009, when India was the chief component of the protective barrier against efforts to stop us eradicating terrorism from our shores. One might have thought that this was a goal the whole world would have supported, but sadly this is not an ideal world and countries will naturally put their own self interest first. Fortunately, not only did India’s interests coincide wit

The Sri Lankan Government has denied allegations that it had bought over some British Parliamentarians to back the Government.

Making a statement in Parliament today, External Affairs Minister Professor G.L Peiris said that several British MPs had visited the country to see for themselves the actual ground situation in the country.

However he insisted that they were not bought over as alleged by the main opposition UNP but were only on a familiarisation tour similar to familiarisation tours undertaken by Sri Lankan M

The British Government says it is looking at co-sponsoring a resolution on Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in March next year.

The UK Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office Hugo Swire said that Britain regularly discuss Sri Lanka, including accountability, with a range of other EU, Commonwealth and international partners.

He said that in those discussions they are exploring options, including the contents of a UNHRC Resolution, ahead of the March session.

Apropos our front page lead story headlined ‘Sri Lanka HR situation like ‘elephant in room-Canada’ on Dec 5 edition, Canadian High Commissioner Shelley Whiting has sent us the following statement dated Dec 11: "It is unfortunate that facts were not verified prior to publication of the article. Contrary to what was reported, it was due to the sudden cancellation of the flight to Jaffna that Deepak Obhrai, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and for international human rights was compelled to t

Commissioner of the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission, Dr. Prathiba Mahanamahewa says that many countries across the globe are gradually arriving at a correct view on the human rights situation in Sri Lanka.

He made this statement at an event held in Colombo on Tuesday.

A programme was held for ministry secretaries and officials, to create awareness on human rights.

“There is a certain level of flexibility towards Sri Lanka. Countries like China, Russia, Cuba, Vietnam, the Middle East and South Africa

Minister of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka Rishad Bathiudeen has warned that the Muslim IDP issue will get out of control if it is not addressed soon.

A statement by the Minister said that 100,000 Muslim IDPs continue to suffer as humanitarian agencies and even the Resettlement Ministry have turned a blind eye to their plight.

Bathiudeen said that when he was the Minister of resettlement he gave priority to resettle some 300,000 Tamil war displaced people despite Muslim IDPs remaining in makeshift camps in Putta

December 10, 2103, marks the 65th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The Anniversary may be celebrated on the basis of considerable awareness that this Declaration has created amongst the people all over the world about their rights and duties to respect others’ rights. The UN and others have made the Declaration available in over 150 languages. This year the UN is awarding the International Human Rights Prize to six winners, and the well-known Pakistani student activist, Ms Malala.

Yousafza

Deputy Minister Susantha Punchinilame was today freed in the Nalanda Ellawala murder case by the Ratnapura High Court.

High Court Judge Achala Wengappuli acquitted Punchinilame from all charges in the case while 3 others had also been freed.

Susantha Punchinilame, former minister I.K. Mahinda Rathnatillaka, Kodikaraarachchige Punyapaala, Sisira Kumara Weerasekara, Wickramasingha Perera and K.A. Upali were charged over the killing of MP Nalanda Sampath Ellawala and constable TM Jayasena on 11 February 1997 in Kuruwita.