InfoAnda - Sri Lanka declares 48-hour ceasefire

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Four Roma children die in Italy fire: officials | 7 February 2011
China: Ships near disputed islands were on patrol | 9 December 2008
North Korean leader Kim near missile site: report | International | | 25 February 2009

Afghan farmers turn from drugs to fish | International | | 4 March 2009

">Forum Views () ">Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Sri Lanka declares 48-hour ceasefire

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail Yahoo! Search Search: Sign InNew User? Sign Up News Home - Help Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Australia China India Indonesia Japan Malaysia Philippines Thailand Vietnam Search Search: Sri Lanka declares 48-hour ceasefire AFP - 1 hour 17 minutes ago COLOMBO (AFP) - - Sri Lanka's president on Sunday ordered government troops to halt their offensive against cornered Tamil rebels for two days to give tens of thousands of civilians a chance to escape the fighting. ADVERTISEMENT The brief pause in hostilities comes after increasingly urgent international calls for civilians to be protected as the military attempts to finally crush the separatist Tamil Tiger guerrillas, who have been pushed close to defeat. The United Nations estimates that 100,000 civilians are trapped in a government-designated "no-fire zone," which is the last remaining territory held by the rebels. President Mahinda Rajapakse's office said the ceasefire would allow civilians to leave the conflict zone and to celebrate the Sinhala and Tamil New Year on Monday and Tuesday. "His Excellency has directed the armed forces of the state to restrict their operations during the New Year to those of a defensive nature," it said in a statement. It added that the halt would enable Tamils "to celebrate these festivities in a suitable atmosphere and to have uninhibited freedom of movement from the no-fire zone." The Tigers, who are accused of holding the civilians hostage, have suffered months of battlefield setbacks that could finally end their campaign for an independent Tamil homeland after 37 years of violence. Rajapakse reiterated the government's demands that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) lay down arms and surrender to security forces who have forced the guerrillas into a strip of coastal jungle in the island's northeast. "In the true spirit of the season, it is timely for the LTTE to acknowledge its military defeat," the statement said. "The LTTE must also renounce terrorism and violence permanently." Britain, the former colonial power in Sri Lanka, praised the government ceasefire while urging the LTTE to follow suit. "I very much welcome the announcement by President Rajapakse of a pause in the fighting between the government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE," Foreign Secretary David Miliband said in a statement. "The UK's concern for the civilians caught in the fighting is acute. It is vital that they are now able to move freely out of the conflict area." The Tigers endured further major losses last week when at least 550 were killed in four days of fighting to defend a village which eventually fell to government forces, officials said. The state-run Sunday Observer reported that the remaining Tiger fighters had opened fresh talks with officials from Norway, which brokered an ineffectual peace deal in 2002. It also said the US ambassador in Colombo, Robert Blake, had recently met with Sri Lankan army chief Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka and requested a week-long ceasefire, which was turned down. Tiger leader Velupillai Prabhakaran was left with few senior comrades after the latest clashes and may try to flee the island during any ceasefire, the Observer added. The Sri Lankan government, which had vowed to finish off the Tigers by the New Year, has repeatedly stressed it would not agree to any truce short of outright victory. There was no immediate comment from the Tigers, but the pro-rebel Tamilnet website said the military had fired 300 shells into the "no-fire zone" in 45 minutes early on Sunday. "Heavy civilian casualties are feared," it said, adding at least two people had died. Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama on Sunday insisted that security forces went out of their way to protect civilians. The UN, which calculated 2,800 non-combatants died in a two-month period earlier this year, fears thousands more could be killed or wounded. About 100,000 demonstrators marched through London on Saturday to demand a truce, and similar protests were held in Scandinavia and Paris. Sri Lanka's military stepped up attacks against the Tigers after withdrawing from the Norwegian-arranged truce in January last year. The guerrillas, who at the height of their power controlled about a third of the country, have now been confined to an area less than 20 square kilometres (eight square miles), according to the military. Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Recommend this article 0 users recommend Sign in to recommend this article » Most Recommended Stories » Related Articles: Asia Pacific Sri Lanka declares 48-hour ceasefireAFP - 1 hour 17 minutes ago Thai government declares emergencyReuters - 1 hour 23 minutes ago Suspected Islamic militants arrested in BangladeshAP - 1 hour 29 minutes ago Female official killed in southern AfghanistanAP - 2 hours 11 minutes ago SKorean prosecutors quiz ex-president's wife, sonAP - Monday, April 13 Most Popular – Asia Pacific Viewed UN sounds warning after Antarctica ice shelf rips Bad mood, better recall, researchers find Pirate hostage siege, Italian tug grabbed Harry Potter actor arrested over cannabis find US budget deficit nears $1 trillion View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Community - Intellectual Property Rights Policy - Help

Other News on Sunday, 12 April 2009
Israeli jets scramble to escort Delta flight
9 Sunni fighters die in suicide attack in Iraq
Blogger becomes casualty of Iran cyber-wars
Egypt detains man transporting £1.4 mln for Hamas
Sudan opposition calls for transitional government
Suicide bomber kills 12 Sunni militiamen in Iraq
Somali pirates 'capture US tug'
US military deaths in Afghanistan region at 604
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,271
Ship reaches Kenya; pirate lifeboat drifts toward land | International |
U.N. draft demands enforcement of North Korea sanctions | International |
Pope leads Catholics into Easter | International |
Some 100,000 demand Sri Lanka ceasefire in UK march | International |
Hundreds mourn British man's death during G20 protest | International |
Obama: Global cooperation needed on big problems
Venezuela's Chavez sees 'good signals' from US
High seas hostage drama could conclude in US court
US hostage skipper makes failed break for freedom
Officials: Navy has amphibious assault ship ready
Skype founders 'looking to buy back company'
Rock Band practicing Chinese Democracy | Technology |
Skype founders said to be eyeing eBay company: report | Technology |
London marchers remember G20 death
Tiananmen 20 years later: A survivor's story
UN chief urges Laos to overcome poverty
Nashiro retains WBA super flyweight title
Asia summit gala dinner goes on _ minus delegates
Racers too Fast for Hannah Montana at box office | Entertainment |
Paparazzo says actor Woody Harrelson assaulted him | Entertainment |
Paparazzo says actor Woody Harrelson assaulted him
Festival producers optimistic despite recession | Entertainment |
Japan may drop UN resolution on NKorea: report
Key dates in Thailand's political unrest
China economic stimulus starting to work: premier
Green Day plans rare NYC club gig | Entertainment |
Dave Matthews Band's Whiskey a toast to Moore | Entertainment |
China's hurdler Liu 'eyeing comeback'
Pakistan gets record remittances in March
Pakistani c.bank buys 43.03 bln rupees of T-bills
Dolly Parton finds Cracker Barrel a good fit | Entertainment |
China foreign exchange reserves at $1.95 trillion
William H. Macy sees new turn in career track | Entertainment |
Billy Bob Thornton's band cancels Canadian tour
China forex reserves fall in February
Rock Band practicing Chinese Democracy | Entertainment |
Blade Runner blaster gun lands on auction bloc | Entertainment |
Pilgrims throng to tomb of Jesus
China bank loans at record high in March: official
Springsteen accused of affair in U.S. divorce case | Entertainment |
French against rose wine made by mixing red, white
Taiwan passes $4.41 bln stimulus plan
NASA to announce module name on `Colbert Report'
Japan PM launches stimulus with eye on election
Dave Matthews Band's "Whiskey" a toast to Moore
India to hold auction of oil and gas blocks
"Rock Band" practicing "Chinese Democracy"
Renault, Nissan to produce 'clean' cars for China
Festival producers optimistic despite recession
Iran director's film casts new light on homeland
Dolly Parton finds Cracker Barrel a good fit
Hundreds of irregularities in Indonesia vote
NASA to unveil space station name on Colbert show
Somali pirates, U.S. captive drift toward shore | International |
Israel minister: Hezbollah chief 'deserves to die'
U.N. draft calls for North Korea sanctions | International |
As Marines' exit gathers pace, some Iraqis fret
Baluch militants kill six mine workers in Pakistan | International |
Real IRA threaten to take campaign to Britain: report | International |
First US family reportedly gets dog
Thai PM moves to restore order after summit fiasco | International |
Pirate hostage siege, Italian tug grabbed
Indonesia president eyes allies, but coalition may take weeks | International |
Tigers face semi-final Rugby Cup showdown with Cardiff
Pope leads Catholics into Easter | International |
Maoists win three of six seats in Nepal by-elections | International |
FBI to question US crew in criminal piracy probe
Fiji faces international backlash over upheaval
Thai summit protest leader arrested: police
Major powers agree new NKorea sanctions text
Protests can't stop the party at Thai beach resort
Malaysia police hit by new claim of suspect abuse
SKorean ex-leader's son quizzed over corruption
US says 4 militants killed in Afghan clash
Support for Japan PM recovers
In "Africa Wax" war, Dutch take on China
Militants torch trucks along US-NATO supply line
S.Korea says to inject $377 mln to help car industry
New orangutan population found in Indonesia
Global steel industry awaits auto turnaround
Bank of Japan to bolster capital: report
Toyota set to suffer second straight loss: report
Latvia faces tough tasks in post-boom hangover
Summit siege a fresh blow for Thai tourism
Villa construction frenzy paving Bali paradise
Iran president dismisses demand to halt atom work
Thai ministry stormed after government declares emergency | International |
Iran president dismisses demand to halt atom work: report | International |
Israel's Netanyahu vows to talk peace with Abbas
Israeli, Palestinian leaders make first phone call
Italy quake survivors celebrate bitter Easter | International |
Mummies found in ancient Egypt burial chamber
Abbas calls Israel's Netanyahu, urges peace moves
Egypt state-controlled paper denounces Hezbollah | International |
Christians mark Easter as pope pleads for peace
NGO leading talks to free two aid workers in Sudan | International |
Pope comforts quake survivors on sombre Easter
Afghan female provincial legislator shot dead
Zimbabwe sets team to drive constitutional reforms | International |
New years' halt to Sri Lanka fighting: president | International |
Israeli man injured in 2002 bombing dies of wounds
Moldovan court orders recount of disputed election | International |
Odierno: US troops in Iraq's cities up to Iraq
Negotiations resume to free US captain
Berlusconi shares Easter with quake survivors
Madonna still keen to adopt Malawian child: report | Entertainment |
Thai government declares emergency
Thai PM declares state of emergency to curb unrest
SKorean prosecutors quiz ex-president's wife, son
Thailand announces state of emergency in capital
Sri Lanka declares 48-hour ceasefire
Chinese helicopter crashes into sea off Shanghai
Thailand imposes state of emergency in Bangkok: state TV
Afghan government: 22 militants killed in clash
Chinese premier says economy improving
China planned $10B investment fund at summit meet
Fox's Glenn Beck announces comedy tour
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Indonesia president eyes allies, but coalition may take weeks
Madonna still keen to adopt Malawian child: report
Michael Caine is not the retiring type
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01