Please find below the GTF news update for 8th & 9th October 2014.
–HIGHLIGHTS–
- Global Tamil Forum is pleased to announce our newly redesigned and relaunched website is now online. For up-to-date information on our work, please visit: www.globaltamilforum.org.
- News reports on 7TH October meeting held between GTF, other Tamil groups, and the UK’s Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Rt. Hon Hugo Swire MP:
– Tamil Guardian, ‘UK strongly supports the international inquiry reiterates FCO minister, meeting with Tamil diaspora’ http://www.tamilguardian.com/article.asp?articleid=12477
– Colombo Gazette, ‘UK affirms it backing to OHCHR probe’ http://colombogazette.com/2014/10/07/uk-affirms-its-backing-to-ohchr-probe/
–NEWS–
REUTERS
Sri Lankan president considers early election, ally says, amid signs of fading popularity
GOVERNMENT OF SRI LANKA
Judge Sri Lanka in proportion to the challenges it has faced as a country emerging from a 30 year terrorist conflict – Amb. Aryasinha to HRC n Geneva
COLOMBO GAZETTE **COMMENTS CAN BE POSTED**
UN committee denies judging Sri Lanka
<http://colombogazette.com/2014/10/08/un-committee-denies-judging-sri-lanka/>
COLOMBO GAZETTE **COMMENTS CAN BE POSTED**
Concerns over threats to NGOs in Lanka
<http://colombogazette.com/2014/10/07/concerns-over-threats-to-ngos-in-lanka/>
COLOMBO TELEGRAPH **COMMENTS CAN BE POSTED**
Human Rights Defender In Vavuniya Assaulted
<https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/human-rights-defender-in-vavuniya-assaulted/>
SRI LANKA MIRROR **COMMENTS CAN BE POSTED**
No other relief except international aid – Sandya Ekneligoda
<https://www.srilankamirror.com/news/17283-no-other-relief-except-international-aid-sandya-ekneligoda>
DAILY MIRROR SRI LANKA **COMMENTS CAN BE POSTED**
BBS wants Sri Lanka named ‘Sinhale’
<http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/53426-bbs-wants-sri-lanka-named-sinhale.html>
DAILY FT **COMMENTS CAN BE POSTED**
Hindu group turns down deal with BBS
<http://www.ft.lk/2014/10/09/hindu-group-turns-down-deal-with-bbs/>
GOVERNMENT OF SRI LANKA
Only UNHRC failed to recognize freedom enjoyed by Sri Lanka with eradication of terrorism – President
COLOMBO GAZETTE **COMMENTS CAN BE POSTED**
Britain hopes Lanka backs moratorium
<http://colombogazette.com/2014/10/09/britain-hopes-lanka-backs-moratorium/>
DAILY MIRROR SRI LANKA **COMMENTS CAN BE POSTED**
| MR can’t seek SC opinion on 3rd term: Ex-CJ |
<http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/53452-mr-cant-seek-sc-opinion-on-3rd-term-ex-cj.html>
ASIA MIRROR **COMMENTS CAN BE POSTED**
Sarath N Silva Lashes Out At Mohan Peiris Over Trip To Vatican
SRI LANKA MIRROR **COMMENTS CAN BE POSTED**
Church in Lanka launches 100 days of special preparation for the Pope’s visit
DAILY FT **COMMENTS CAN BE POSTED**
Branson says he will invest in Sri Lanka “if the conditions are right”
<http://www.ft.lk/2014/10/09/branson-tells-he-will-invest-in-sri-lanka-if-the-conditions-are-right/>
–STATEMENTS–
ASIA HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
Prageeth Eknalogida’s case exposes lack of consensus against enforced disappearances
<http://www.humanrights.asia/news/ahrc-news/AHRC-STM-180-2014>
TAMIL CIVIL SOCIETY FORUM
Oral Statement to the Human Rights Committee on Sri Lanka’s 5th Periodic State Report on the ICCPR
<http://tamilguardian.com/files/File/TCSF/TCSF%20HRC%20ICCPR%202014.pdf>
NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL
Oral Statement by the Norwegian Refugee Council – Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre
HIGH COMMISSION OF PAKISTAN, COLOMBO
Pakistan to Build 220 Houses for Homeless Sri Lankans in Mannar and Nanattan
–COURSES–
SCHOOLOF AFRICAN AND ORIENTAL STUDIES – UNIVERSITY OF LONDON
Introduction to Tamil Course
<https://www.soas.ac.uk/languagecentre/languages/tamil/tamil-beginners-course.html>
–EVENTS–
UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND
Panel Discussion: Sri Lanka and the Office of the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights Investigation
Thursday 16th October, 6:30-8:30pm
<http://www.r2pasiapacific.org/docs/Events%202014/sri-lanka-panel-flyer.pdf>