News: violence

Parts of Sri Lanka are gripped by a bizarre outbreak of panic, rage and mob violence. At least four people have died in the vigilante violence and related confrontations.

The Friday Forum, is a concerned group of citizens who meet frequently, giving thought as to how they could help the government in accelerating socio economic development, ensuring good governance and solving the national question. We are gravely perturbed at reports of increased crimes of violence in Jaffna, including killings and abductions. This is taking place at a time when there is a strong presence of armed forces in the area. The tragedies of the individual victims are appalling. But this is not all. The main challenge facing the nation today is to win the peace. People living in areas most affected by the long years of armed conflict must now be assured by the government of their safety, security, and the protection of their basic human rights. Failure in this will seriously undermine the chances of post conflict social transformation, development and sustainable peace

VIDEO: Sri Lankan UN Deputy Permanant Residen, Maj. Gen. Shavendra Silva visited Boston. He spoke to Sri Lankan community in New England.

“The last few weeks have seen some regions of Sri Lanka battered by heavy rains and floods affecting over a million people. Not only have tens of people died in the eastern and central regions, but agriculture has been affected in a major way — contributing to increasing living costs, particularly of food items. Sri Lanka is in need of considerable assistance by international agencies to address the consequences of the floods,” says Asia Society Associate Fellow Ahilan Kadirgamar.