InfoAnda - Catholic leaders urge Sri Lankan Tamils' release

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

India to unveil budget as inflation and state elections weigh | 28 February 2011
Pakistan's fiscal deficit 1 pct of GDP in Q1 | 30 October 2008
Volcanic ash turns northern Europe into no-fly zone | | 16 April 2010

Australia minister attacks 'creepy' Google in Web row | 25 May 2010

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Catholic leaders urge Sri Lankan Tamils' release

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: Catholic leaders urge Sri Lankan Tamils' release By KRISHAN FRANCIS,Associated Press Writer AP - Sunday, August 16 MADHU, Sri Lanka - Sri Lanka's Roman Catholic leaders called for the release of ethnic Tamils held in military-run displacement camps on Saturday, saying they are confined like prisoners behind barbed wire. ADVERTISEMENT The leaders made the appeal during an annual feast at the island's holiest Catholic shrine in the former northern war zone. The government lifted a blockade on the Our Lady of Madhu shrine the day before to allow pilgrims to hold their annual feast there, a sign the north was returning to normal after the May defeat of the Tamil Tiger rebels, who fought for 25 years for an independent homeland following decades of marginalization at the hands of governments dominated by the Sinhalese majority. But while thousands gathered for the feast, the nearby villages stood empty, their residents stuck in displacement camps, among the 300,000 other Tamil civilians who escaped from the war zone. Despite regaining control of the area 16 months ago, the government says there have been delays in resettling the residents because it is heavily mined. "There are a lot of pilgrims gathered here from all parts but the people of this area are not here. Where are they? They are all in refugee camps," said Rev. Thomas Soundaranayagam, the bishop of nearby Jaffna. "These people are behind barbed wire like prisoners and suffer many hardships with this rain." Heavy rains began two months ahead of monsoon season in northern Sri Lanka, battering camp residents living in tents and makeshift shelters. Aid workers say water is scarce in the camps and disease spreads quickly. Some 100,000 people gathered in the area 130 miles (210 kilometers) north of the capital Colombo to take part in the feast on the church grounds, according to the military. The church is revered by Sri Lanka's Christians _ comprised of both minority Tamils and majority Sinhalese _ who make up about 7 percent of the population. Our Lady of Madhu, a statue of the Virgin Mary that stands over the altar inside, is believed to hold miraculous healing powers. This year's pilgrims are mostly Sinhalese from the south who arrived in cars, buses and trucks and camped out around the shrine. The church, which was located inside the rebels' former shadow state in the north, had once attracted as many as half a million pilgrims for the festival, but authorities only allowed 500 to attend last year because of the blockade. The government cited mines as the reason for the restriction. "We are happy that we were able to come here without any trouble," said 30-year-old fisherman Ravindra Kumar from the western coastal town of Negombo. "There were many problems before. We are thankful to the soldiers for retaking this area." Rev. Malcolm Ranjith, the Archbishop of Colombo, called on the authorities to begin resettling the people. "This a beautiful occasion but there are some people who have not been able to come here," he said. "If they had come this feast would have been much more beautiful and an occasion of unity." Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Sign in to recommend this article » 0 users recommend Related Articles: Asia Pacific US senator meets Myanmar's democracy leaderAP - Sunday, August 16 Report says Bollywood icon detained at US airportAP - Sunday, August 16 Catholic leaders urge Sri Lankan Tamils' releaseAP - Sunday, August 16 Thai elephant hurt by mine gets artificial legAP - Sunday, August 16 Steel workers in China protest plant purchaseAP - Sunday, August 16 Most Popular – Asia Pacific Viewed Millions of salmon fail to turn up in Canada Hundreds mourn Kennedy sister at funeral US study uncovers powerful anti-cancer compound Rare flowering of Chinese tree in Belgium US industrial output rebounds, consumer prices flat 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 Saturday, 15 August 2009
Vote leaders take campaigns across Afghanistan
Merkel, Medvedev tout 'strategic' economic cooperation
U.S. business welcomes Obama export control review
US industrial output rebounds, consumer prices flat
Spain's economy shrinks, bucking eurozone trend
Hundreds mourn Kennedy sister at funeral
Russia says Cape Verde ship sighting untrue | International |
World faces growing health inequalities: WHO
US consumer inflation in steepest drop since 1950
Thirteen killed in Hamas, pro-al Qaeda group clashes | International |
World's oldest schoolboy dies aged 90 in Kenya | International |
Google users search more, very loyal: comScore | Technology |
Taiwan's president criticized for typhoon response
Suicide attack kills 1 Afghan soldier in the south
Taiwan flood death toll could top 500: president
Court: Mich. prison OK to stop man's kosher meals
Afghan election an early test of Obama's war plan
Lead poisoning sickens 600 kids in China
Shriver laid to rest; Sen. Kennedy misses funeral
China cracks down on drunken driving after outcry
Obama takes healthcare plan to conservative West
5 who killed niece in exorcism avoid jail in NZ
18 years later: 1st Gulf War casualty laid to rest
China Merchants Bank plans $2.6 bln rights issue
Oops! Crew tears out remnants of old NY river fort
3 bombs in Baluchistan kill 1, wound 18
Maine town wins fight to save its curbside mailbox
Mourners gather in Pa. for 3 dead in plane crash
Taiwan president says typhoon has killed about 500
Athiest bus ads create free speech debate in Iowa
China objects to Philippine oil project
Polish village prays for Madonna to visit | Entertainment |
Aerosmith cancels troubled tour after Tyler injury | Entertainment |
Time Traveler looks to cash in on popular book | Entertainment |
Bandslam star Aly Michalka sees teen years fading | Entertainment |
Aerosmith cancels troubled tour after Tyler injury
New Orleans rapper sentenced to life in prison
Jackson had long history with estate executor
Arrest warrant issued in Mass. for Bobby Brown
Revered guitar player-inventor Les Paul dead at 94
US videogame sales sink for fifth consecutive month: NPD
Reality TV villain Omarosa entering a seminary
Blast rocks Afghan capital
Cargo ship that vanished spotted off Cape Verde islands
Taliban claim blast in Afghan capital | International |
Google users loyal: comScore
Mud-slinging on Afghan vote trail
US building tech tools to foil online censors
No normal ties with Ukraine under current leaders: Medvedev
Taiwan seeks foreign aid after typhoon catastrophe | International |
Gaza clashes between Hamas, Islamist radicals kill 13
Merkel, Medvedev tout 'strategic' economic cooperation
Iraqi journalists protest government pressure
Iran elections-Jackson death videos spur online viewing
Nineteen killed in Mexico prison riot | International |
BetOnSports founder pleads guilty in U.S. court
Google users search more, very loyal: comScore
Three killed in suicide blast in Pakistan's Swat | International |
Britain suspends Turks and Caicos government | International |
Let them eat cake at Gulag city birthday party | International |
South Korea's Lee seeks arms cut deal with North | International |
Colonial BancGroup, 4 other banks shut down
SKorea's Lee renews aid offer to NKorea
Palace assault trial ends in acquittals
Pakistan lifts tribal area political activity ban
Grad student imprisoned in Iran returns to US
Car bomb explodes at NATO headquarters in Kabul
Controller bantering on phone before crash
Taiwan seeks foreign aid after typhoon catastrophe
Suspect in Calif. toll plaza killings in court
Huge blast at NATO headquarters rocks Kabul
Leaked Radiohead song has fans on alert for new EP | Technology |
Huge blast rocks Afghan capital
US Senator Webb to meet Myanmar's junta leader
BetOnSports founder pleads guilty in U.S. court | Technology |
Police clash with steel workers in China: report
U2's Bono pays tribute to Eunice Kennedy Shriver
South Korea's Lee seeks arms cut deal with North
US military deaths in Afghanistan region at 707
Event on Abu Ghraib soldier canceled over threats
NY police interview husband of wrong-way driver
Japan voices remorse for WWII, ex-premiers visit shrine
Kate Winslet goes from Oscar win to TV series
Hollywood sees win in China WTO case as first step
Pakistani c.bank buys 31.6 bln rupees of govt paper
Summary: WTO rules on China, but piracy persists
Malaysia 'well-positioned' to weather global crisis: IMF
Hilary Duff brings her charity work to Colombia
Aerosmith cuts short US tour due to Tyler's injury
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Miami rapper Pitbull ready for "Rebelution"
Police respond to Jon & Kate's house for argument
MC Hammer plans companion piece for 1990 hit album
Seinfeld to be first guest on new Jay Leno show | Entertainment |
Juanes gets heat for playing peace concert in Cuba
40 years later, Woodstock a thriving business | Entertainment |
Leaked Radiohead song has fans on alert for new EP | Entertainment |
Arrest warrant issued for Bobby Brown
Arrest warrant issued for Bobby Brown | Entertainment |
Investor alleges she was Madoff's 20-year mistress
Kelly Clarkson and LeBron James in "get schooled"
Kelly Clarkson and LeBron James in get schooled | Entertainment |
MC Hammer plans companion piece for 1990 hit album | Entertainment |
Hollywood sees win in China WTO case as first step | Entertainment |
Miami rapper Pitbull ready for Rebelution | Entertainment |
U.S. senator meets Suu Kyi, Myanmar junta leader | International |
Islamist leader among 22 killed in Gaza fighting
Pre-vote bomb at Kabul NATO base kills seven Afghans
Hamas hits Qaeda allies in Gaza, over 20 dead | International |
Iran detainees tortured, beaten to death: Karroubi
Islamist leader among 24 killed in Gaza fighting
Blast at NATO base in Kabul, three dead: official
Ransom demand: lost ship has shades of le Carre | International |
Chavez visits Fidel Castro for 83rd birthday | International |
Iran's leader appoints new judiciary chief: report | International |
South Korea's Lee seeks arms cut deal with North | International |
Madagascar's Rajoelina says only he can lead transition | International |
Colombia, US finalize deal on military bases
US senator meets Myanmar's democracy leader
Obama touts health care reform
Report says Bollywood icon detained at US airport
Catholic leaders urge Sri Lankan Tamils' release
Thai elephant hurt by mine gets artificial leg
Campaign tactics back as Obama presses health care
Steel workers in China protest plant purchase
Bowing to typhoon anger, Taiwan leader says sorry
AP NewsAlert
Facebook to face off with new Web rivals | Technology |
US senator meets Myanmar ruler, Suu Kyi
U.S. senator meets Suu Kyi, Myanmar junta leader
7 die, 91 wounded in blast near NATO HQ in Kabul
Parched parts of California scorched by wildfires
Philippines to ramp up fight against militants
S.Korean president calls for arms talks with North
Pakistan cuts policy rate by 100 bps to 13 pct
China to start cutting carbon emissions in 2050: FT
Bollywood star held in U.S. airport, fans outraged | Entertainment |
40 years later, Woodstock a thriving business
Sex and blood and MozartDon Giovanni
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