">Forum Views ()
">Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
UN demands end to Sri Lanka 'bloodbath'
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:
UN demands end to Sri Lanka 'bloodbath'
AFP - Tuesday, May 12
COLOMBO (AFP) - - The United Nations Monday called for an immediate end to Sri Lanka's fighting after describing the weekend shelling of civilians as a "bloodbath" in which over 100 children were killed.
ADVERTISEMENT
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged the Colombo government "to explore all possible options to bring the conflict to an end without further bloodshed" and asked the separatist Tamil Tiger rebels to agree to a halt in the fighting.
"The secretary-general is appalled at the killing of hundreds of civilians in Sri Lanka over the weekend," his office said in a statement.
"Thousands of Sri Lankans have already died in the past several months due to the conflict, and more still remain in grave danger."
Artillery strikes on the small stretch of coastline still held by the Tamil Tiger guerrillas in the northeast of the island nation have caused major casualties among the tens of thousands of non-combatants, both sides reported.
"The large-scale killing of civilians, including the death of over 100 children, over the weekend shows that the bloodbath scenario has become a reality," Gordon Weiss, the UN spokesman in Colombo, told AFP.
The rebels said the civilians had died as the military pressed ahead with its offensive, but the defence ministry accused the Tigers of firing mortars to create a humanitarian crisis and attract foreign intervention.
"They are bombarding their own civilians with heavy weapons to lay the blame on the Sri Lankan forces," the ministry said in a statement.
The Tigers denied the charge through their former chief arms smuggler, Selvarasa Pathmanathan, who urged the international community to intervene and prevent further loss of life.
Pathmanathan, who is better known as K.P., insisted that over 2,000 civilians had been killed in the weekend violence which he described as the "most brutal episode" in the drawn-out conflict.
The government Monday said 250 civilians had been killed or wounded in the attacks blamed on the rebels, adding that it had lodged an official protest against the UN's "bloodbath" description.
The pro-rebel Tamilnet website said that the weekend death toll had risen to 3,200.
Casualty claims from the war zone are impossible to verify as journalists and international monitors are not allowed to travel freely in the area.
Sri Lanka's government believes its soldiers are on the verge of defeating the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) after 37 years of conflict.
At the height of their power in 2006, the Tigers -- who want an independent Tamil homeland in the Sinhalese-majority island -- controlled roughly a third of the island.
The Tigers have since been driven back on to a sliver of land on the northeastern coast, where the UN has accused them of holding up to 50,000 Tamil civilians hostage.
Sri Lankan leaders have refused international calls for a ceasefire, despite reports from the UN last month saying up to 6,500 civilians may have been killed and 14,000 wounded in fighting since January.
Human rights and conflict prevention groups Monday urged Japan, which is Sri Lanka's largest aid donor, to "shoulder its responsibilities" and confront the worsening humanitarian crisis in the country.
The UN Security Council was due later Monday to take up informally the humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka, diplomats in Colombo said.
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband told reporters in New York ahead of Monday's meeting that the civilian situation in Sri Lanka merited the attention of the UN at all levels.
In Britain, hundreds of ethnic Tamil protestors broke through police lines and blocked traffic Monday outside parliament in central London to press for a halt in the fighting, witnesses and a police spokeswoman said.
Last month Sri Lanka's military announced that it had halted the use of heavy weapons in order to protect civilians as the fighting was confined to a small area measuring just a few square kilometres (miles).
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Sign in to recommend this article »
0 users recommend
Related Articles: Asia Pacific
Australian Kangaroo survives arrow through headAFP - Tuesday, May 12
Russian PM Putin arrives in Japan for talksAFP - Tuesday, May 12
Indonesia march on, Malaysia recover in Sudirman CupAFP - Tuesday, May 12
Outgoing Afghan war commander valued outreachAP - Tuesday, May 12
Japan's Prince Akishino meets Austria's presidentAFP - Tuesday, May 12
Enlarge Photo
UN demands end to Sri Lanka 'bloodbath'
Most Popular – Asia Pacific
Viewed
Australian zoo evacuated after orangutan escape
British store admits it boobed in bra row
Obese young men have less hope of marriage: study
Venezuela oil takeovers may leave 22,000 jobless
$70-80 good price for oil: French economy minister
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 Tuesday, 12 May 2009 Mexico drug violence rises on border despite army
| International
|
U.N.'s Ban urges Israel to change settlement policy
| International
|
Somali pirates using London contacts: report
| International
|
Libya reports prison suicide of top Qaeda man
| International
|
Microsoft says Windows 7 on track for holidays
| Technology
|
Google's Android seen gaining support
| Technology
|
Cyberbullying, more than just messing around
| Technology
|
German's Web obsession led to savage British murder
| Technology
|
Missing Nepali ski racer found via Facebook
| Technology
|
EU clears Toshiba to buy Fujitsu disk drive arm
| Technology
|
Pentagon To Replace U.S. Commander In Afghanistan
President Welcomes Industry Health Care Reform Plan
Another Scheduled Military Flight Over NYC Cancelled
Obama Warns Health Care Spending Is On "Unsustainable Course"
Maryland Gov. Pursues Cell-Phone Jamming Test
Update: Shuttle Atlantis Lifts Off For Final Trip To Fix Hubble Telescope
Senate Begins Debate On Credit Card Reform Bill; May Pass Measure This Week
Update: U.S. Soldier Suspected Of Shooting 5 American Soldiers In Custody
Update: Astronauts Board Space Shuttle; Atlantis To Visit Hubble Telescope
50 Cent Still Not Cleared Of His Involvement In House Fire
Michael Jackson concerts may face legal challenge
| Entertainment
|
Kiefer Sutherland says not wrongdoer in NY case
| Entertainment
|
Pakistan army battles Taliban; bomber kills 10
| International
|
Lebanon displays tools it says Israel used to spy
US soldier held after five comrades shot dead in Iraq
New flu not quite a pandemic yet: WHO
| International
|
U.S. soldier kills 5 fellow troops in Baghdad
Incense burns as China mourns quake dead
| International
|
Bernanke sees risk of deflation 'receding' in US
Pope to visit holy sites in Jerusalem
Slowdown, political uncertainty hit India infrastructure
| International
|
US deficit forecasts rise by nearly $90 bln
Iran frees U.S.-born journalist accused of spying
US to 'aggressively' pursue antitrust enforcement
Displaced Iraqis stay away as violence persists
| International
|
NASA astronauts liftoff to Hubble telescope
Suspected Iranian shells hit Turkish soil-officials
THE INFLUENCE GAME: Firms exact climate price
Study finds software piracy growing
| Technology
|
Robot takes over Tokyo classroom
| Technology
|
U.S. "harvesting" canceled satellite for future uses
Woman finds 'Twilight' sequel script in trash
U.S. harvesting canceled satellite for future uses
| Technology
|
Crowd pelts Austin police after fatal shooting
Robot takes over Tokyo classroom
Plane carrying Demjanjuk departs Cleveland airport
Microsoft bond issue sparks takeover rumors
Pesticide carbofuran banned for food crops
More US homes cutting landline phones
Judge in Calif. proceeds with Laos overthrow case
Microsoft says Windows 7 on track for holidays
Shuttle blasts off to repair Hubble Telescope
US fires top general in Afghanistan as war worsens
Greece bars Google's Street View pending details
Obama wants to turn around 5,000 failing schools
Windows 7 available before end of the year
Google's Android seen gaining support
Drew Peterson arrest: What happens to the kids?
Google runs TV ads to promote Chrome browser
Facebook helps find missing Nepalese skier in Paris
Alternate Miss California named as Prejean awaits fate
| Entertainment
|
Star Trek weekend box office nudged higher
| Entertainment
|
Australian Kangaroo survives arrow through head
Singer Yusuf Islam plays first U.S. show in 33 years
| Entertainment
|
Titanic stars donate to final survivor
| Entertainment
|
Putin in Japan for talks on energy, business ties
Indonesia march on, Malaysia recover in Sudirman Cup
Film executives cast hopeful eye on Cannes market
| Entertainment
|
Outgoing Afghan war commander valued outreach
Japan's Prince Akishino meets Austria's president
Comedian Ron White aims to have the last laugh
| Entertainment
|
Pro-NKorea paper accuses Obama of hostility
Texas musician Stephen Bruton dies
| Entertainment
|
UN demands end to Sri Lanka 'bloodbath'
China confirms first mainland case of swine flu
A look at insurgents' use of white phosphorus
Australia's Iraq mission to formally end July 31
China urban fixed-asset investment up 30.5 pct
CHRONOLOGY-BOK holds rates again as uncertainty reigns
Korea Hot Stocks
S.Korea holds rates again as uncertainty reigns
CORRECTED
S.Korea T-bond futures up ahead of rate meeting
Film executives cast hopeful eye on Cannes market
Seoul shares fall led by banks; eyes on BOK
Simon Cowell says Adam Lambert will win 'Idol'
S.Korea to act if won rises too fast -Yonhap
'For Lovers Only' celebrates romance, love songs
Review: `Angels & Demons' more summery than solemn
New Zealand food prices fall 0.6 pct in April
Nathan Lane, Bebe Neuwirth set for 'Addams Family'
NKorean, Brazilian ministers discuss trade, talks
Texas musician Stephen Bruton dies
Alternate Miss California named as Prejean awaits fate
"Titanic" stars donate to final survivor
Kiefer Sutherland says not "wrongdoer" in NY case
Oprah Winfrey to say goodbye to Dr. Oz
American kills 5 fellow soldiers at clinic in Iraq
Accused Nazi guard arrives in Germany to face charges
| International
|
Sri Lanka brushes off criticism over rebel war
| International
|
Pope comes under criticism in Israel
| International
|
Venezuela expropriates 39 oil service firms
Building siege ends in Afghan town after blasts
| International
|
New virus could still mutate, spark pandemic: WHO
| International
|
Freed U.S.-born reporter says to rest, be with family
| International
|
Iraq parliament demands more water from neighbors
| International
|
Thousands flee Mogadishu, death toll hits 113
| International
|
Disaster looms with rising sea levels: islands
Ocean conference seeks ways to stem climate change
Ex-Nazi camp guard deported to Germany
Software piracy worsens in Asia: study
Woman accused in porn star prostitution ring
Microsoft CEO says talk of SAP buy are rumors
| Technology
|
Astronauts 'tweet' from space
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,294
Italy charges two French Al-Qaeda suspects
Bill would allow return to lower credit-card rates
UK telcos face price-savvy consumers
| Technology
|
Argentina denounces British claims to Falklands
British leaders apologise in expenses row
Pentagon replacing top Afghanistan commander
Vodafone to open network for applications store
| Technology
|
Schwarzenegger: Next year's deficit climbs to $15B
Airliner engine ingests object on ground at LAX
Ex-NYC officer gets 10 years in Pa. bank heist
China steps up flu vigilance in wake of first case
Japan's opposition to pick new leader on Saturday
Indonesia to deport activists over ocean protest
Economic woes weigh as Cannes film festival opens
| Entertainment
|
Pakistan troops attack Taliban stronghold: army
Bomber kills 10 in Pakistan as army battles Taliban
Putin praises 'atmosphere of trust' with Japan
Cambodia tells Thailand to pay border damages
Gaudy and glitzy, Moscow hosts Eurovision contest
| Entertainment
|
Slowdown, political uncertainty hit India infrastructure
NZ imprisons Chinese child kidnapper for 9 years
Australia ends Iraq military mission in July
Japan's Nissan posts first loss under CEO Ghosn
Japan's NEC reports 3.05 bln dollar annual loss
Philippine exports fell 30.9 pct in March: govt
Taiwan sells 20-yr bonds at 2.325 pct yield -c.bank
Bank of Korea keeps key interest rate at 2 percent
China exports down 22.6 pct in April: state media
Cannes red carpets 3D 'revolution' with flick 'Up'
Serb shoppers count the pennies
Comedian Ron White aims to have the last laugh
Disaster looms with rising sea levels: islands
"Star Trek" weekend box office nudged higher
NY appeals court OKs foreclosure on Gotti mansion
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