News for 'Eastern Sri Lanka'

US rights body urges Sri Lanka to prosecute war crime perpetrators

US rights body urges Sri Lanka to prosecute war crime perpetrators

Rediff.com15 Jan 2026

Human Rights Watch urges Sri Lanka to prosecute perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the civil war, citing a UN report on sexual violence against Tamil civilians.

Sri Lanka fails to address sexual violence against Tamil civilians: UN

Sri Lanka fails to address sexual violence against Tamil civilians: UN

Rediff.com15 Jan 2026

A UN report highlights the lack of justice for Tamil civilians who experienced sexual violence during Sri Lanka's civil war, primarily by security forces.

Accidental explosion kills 62 in eastern Sri Lanka

Accidental explosion kills 62 in eastern Sri Lanka

Rediff.com17 Sep 2010

Sixty people were killed in an explosion in eastern Sri Lanka on Friday. According to the authorities, a container carrying material for road construction work accidentally exploded in eastern Batticaloa district

Cyclone Ditwah: India steps up relief ops in Sri Lanka; toll rises to 212

Cyclone Ditwah: India steps up relief ops in Sri Lanka; toll rises to 212

Rediff.com30 Nov 2025

Sri Lanka continues relief and rescue efforts with India's assistance after Cyclone Ditwah caused widespread devastation, killing over 190 people and affecting nearly a million.

Cyclone Ditwah wreaks havoc in Sri Lanka, 80 killed; India provides relief

Cyclone Ditwah wreaks havoc in Sri Lanka, 80 killed; India provides relief

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

Sri Lanka is facing a severe crisis after Cyclone Ditwah caused widespread flooding and landslides, resulting in numerous deaths and displacement. India has launched 'Operation Sagar Bandhu' to provide relief. The situation is expected to remain critical with rising river levels and continued rainfall.

India, Sri Lanka sign major defence pact

India, Sri Lanka sign major defence pact

Rediff.com5 Apr 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a tri-services ceremonial welcome in Colombo, Sri Lanka, marking the first time such an honor has been bestowed upon a foreign leader. The welcome took place at the historic Independence Square, the venue for national day celebrations. Modi's visit comes as Sri Lanka shows signs of recovery from a recent economic crisis, with India playing a significant role in providing assistance. During the visit, both leaders are expected to discuss a range of issues, including defense cooperation, energy, and digital initiatives.

153 dead as Ditwah leaves trail of destruction in Lanka; rain pounds TN

153 dead as Ditwah leaves trail of destruction in Lanka; rain pounds TN

Rediff.com29 Nov 2025

Cyclone Ditwah exits Sri Lanka after causing widespread destruction and over 120 deaths, heading towards the Indian coast. Heavy rains and high winds are expected to continue.

Kyle Jamieson replaces Adam Milne in New Zealand's T20 WC squad

Kyle Jamieson replaces Adam Milne in New Zealand's T20 WC squad

Rediff.com23 Jan 2026

New Zealand pacer Adam Milne has been ruled out of the T20 World Cup with a torn left hamstring.

8 Countries With The Most Public Holidays

8 Countries With The Most Public Holidays

Rediff.com9 Jan 2026

These nations officially top the list when it comes to maximum number of official days off.

The Man The LTTE Couldn't Kill

The Man The LTTE Couldn't Kill

Rediff.com5 Jan 2026

The Tigers refused to forgive Douglas Devananda and tried to assassinate him repeatedly. He later said: "(LTTE chief Velupillai) Prabhakaran cannot kill me." Destiny proved him right.

Blast in Sri Lanka kills 11

Blast in Sri Lanka kills 11

Rediff.com1 Feb 2007

The mine, planted near an electricity transformer, was targeted at a bus taking constables home on leave, a police official said.

7 killed in Sri Lanka blast

7 killed in Sri Lanka blast

Rediff.com31 Jan 2007

The rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam set off the mine, planted near an electricity transformer, targetting a bus taking constables home on leave, a ministry spokesman said.

Sri Lanka's Gunathilaka gets bail in Sydney sexual assault case

Sri Lanka's Gunathilaka gets bail in Sydney sexual assault case

Rediff.com17 Nov 2022

Sri Lanka cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka was granted bail in Sydney on Thursday, reversing an earlier decision in the case of the alleged sexual assault of a woman while on tour in Australia for the T20 World Cup.

India's Dilemma in Sri Lanka

India's Dilemma in Sri Lanka

Rediff.com21 Sep 2020

Both Mahinda Rajapaksa and Modi have learnt from their past mistakes. Modi has understood that Rajapaksa is a 'forever politician' that India has to live with, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

127 killed in Sri Lanka fighting

127 killed in Sri Lanka fighting

Rediff.com13 Aug 2006

The Sri Lankan Air Force this evening destroyed an artillery gun position of the Tigers at Pooneryn, just south of the Jaffna peninsula.

'Sri Lanka will adopt India first approach'

'Sri Lanka will adopt India first approach'

Rediff.com26 Aug 2020

Admiral Colombage said that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa would have an India first approach as the key to strategic security.

23 LTTE rebels killed in Sri Lanka

23 LTTE rebels killed in Sri Lanka

Rediff.com22 Nov 2007

Eight security force personnel were also killed in various incidents in Sri Lanka's north-western Mannar district.

Sri Lanka: Blast on bus kills 15

Sri Lanka: Blast on bus kills 15

Rediff.com2 Apr 2007

The blast ripped through the crowded bus as passengers were getting off at a military check point just outside the town of Ampara, 350 km east of capital Colombo, police said.

India denies reports of sending troops to Sri Lanka

India denies reports of sending troops to Sri Lanka

Rediff.com11 May 2022

'The High Commission would like to categorically deny speculative reports in sections of media and social media about #India sending her troops to Sri Lanka. These reports and such views are also not in keeping with the position of the Government of #India,' the Indian mission said on Twitter.

Things are never easy in Sri Lanka

Things are never easy in Sri Lanka

Rediff.com18 Mar 2018

'Sirisena will keep both Rajapaksa and Wickremesinghe on tenterhooks till the next general election due in 2020,' says Aditi Phadnis.

26 killed in bomb blast in Sri Lanka

26 killed in bomb blast in Sri Lanka

Rediff.com16 Jan 2008

At least three children were among 26 killed in the bombing, the latest in a string of attacks by the rebels amid spiralling fighting in the north which has claimed 300 lives in the two weeks since the government announced its decision to scrap the ceasefire.

Sri Lanka votes for president

Sri Lanka votes for president

Rediff.com17 Nov 2005

The majority Singhalese community is split over the two leading contenders, leaving the minority Tamils in the role of the kingmaker.

Sri Lanka hails Indian housing assistance

Sri Lanka hails Indian housing assistance

Rediff.com23 May 2013

Sri Lanka has welcomed a whopping Rs 1,372 crore Indian housing assistance programme to build around 4000 homes in the country's eastern province.

Rebalancing India-China, The Sri Lanka Way

Rebalancing India-China, The Sri Lanka Way

Rediff.com14 Feb 2022

Colombo seems to be veering to the middle path between China and the US on global matters, but in regional matters of strategic security, it is increasingly identifying with India, points out N Sathiya Moorthy.

A soldier returns to Sri Lanka

A soldier returns to Sri Lanka

Rediff.com11 Apr 2018

'As I went around Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Jaffna and Mannar, my mind went back to my visit in January 1990 at the fag end of the IPKFs mission in Sri Lanka,' says Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

'China Wants India On A Tight Leash'

'China Wants India On A Tight Leash'

Rediff.com15 Jan 2026

'China's basic purpose of taking the Shaksgam Valley was access to the Indian Ocean.'

Where Sri Lanka beats India

Where Sri Lanka beats India

Rediff.com1 Sep 2017

Nearly two million people die from mosquito-borne diseases every year. What are we doing about it?

Sri Lanka scraps 2nd deal, to re-acquire IOC's oil tanks

Sri Lanka scraps 2nd deal, to re-acquire IOC's oil tanks

Rediff.com17 Feb 2021

Sri Lanka will re-acquire 99 World War II-era oil storage tanks leased to Indian Oil Corporation in the eastern port district of Trincomalee, Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila announced on Wednesday.

Tamil teacher among 106 arrested for Sri Lanka blasts

Tamil teacher among 106 arrested for Sri Lanka blasts

Rediff.com28 Apr 2019

President Maithripala Sirisena said Friday that over 130 suspects linked to the Islamic State terror group have been operating in the country.

Swaraj to lead parliamentary delegation to Sri Lanka

Swaraj to lead parliamentary delegation to Sri Lanka

Rediff.com11 Apr 2012

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj will lead a fourteen-member Parliament delegation to Sri Lanka on Monday to study the alleged human rights violation during the operations against Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in the north eastern province of the island nation.

Sri Lanka, India ink deal to jointly redevelop strategic oil tank complex

Sri Lanka, India ink deal to jointly redevelop strategic oil tank complex

Rediff.com7 Jan 2022

Sri Lanka on Thursday signed an agreement with India to jointly redevelop the strategic World War II-era oil tank farm in the island nation's eastern port district of Trincomalee, in a new milestone in bilateral economic and energy partnership.

PIX: A Glimpse At Women's ODI World Cup Venues!

PIX: A Glimpse At Women's ODI World Cup Venues!

Rediff.com12 Sep 2025

From Mumbai to Colombo: Venues to host ICC Women's World Cup 2025

60 Years On This Week, Indira Gandhi Became Prime Minister

60 Years On This Week, Indira Gandhi Became Prime Minister

Rediff.com20 Jan 2026

In a culture where children take up the profession of their father, her becoming a politician was seen as natural and acceptable.

As India watches, China grows powerful in Sri Lanka

As India watches, China grows powerful in Sri Lanka

Rediff.com8 Jun 2021

Xi Jinping is winning the war without firing a shot in Sri Lanka, observes Colonel R Hariharan (retd).

Rajapaksa registers landslide victory in Sri Lanka polls

Rajapaksa registers landslide victory in Sri Lanka polls

Rediff.com7 Aug 2020

The SLPP, led by prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, has won in 145 constituencies, bagging a total of 150 seats with its allies, a two-thirds majority in the 225-member Parliament, according to the results announced by the election commission.

Old times back in Sri Lanka: What are India's choices?

Old times back in Sri Lanka: What are India's choices?

Rediff.com6 Sep 2020

Whatever its apprehensions and concerns about the regime of the Rajapaksa clan, India must be ready with unconditional assistance when Colombo asks for it. Because it will, observes Aditi Phadnis.

10 days after Sri Lanka's Easter blasts, questions remain

10 days after Sri Lanka's Easter blasts, questions remain

Rediff.com1 May 2019

Even as the polity find ways and means to address the genuine concerns and fears of the society, the Sri Lankan State apparatus would have to unravel these mystery-questions with convincing answers, and a road-map to the future, says N Sathiya Moorthy.

215 killed as blasts rock Sri Lanka on Easter

215 killed as blasts rock Sri Lanka on Easter

Rediff.com21 Apr 2019

Seven persons had been arrested in connection with the blasts.

7 killed in Sri Lanka violence

7 killed in Sri Lanka violence

Rediff.com8 Apr 2007

Police and troops stepped up security on Sunday ahead of next week's traditional Sinhala and Tamil New Year.

India abstains from voting on Sri Lanka war crimes

India abstains from voting on Sri Lanka war crimes

Rediff.com27 Mar 2014

In a significant development, India for the first time on Thursday abstained from voting on the United States-sponsored resolution against Sri Lanka on alleged human rights violation which was passed by 23 votes in favour as against 12 in opposition and 12 abstentions in the United Nation's Human Rights Council in Geneva.