(January 12, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Douglas Devananda, Minister of Social Services and Social Welfare, Secretary General of EPDP and Chairman of Special Task Committee, Northern Province, issuing a statement on the attack of “Sirasa” Media Institution and brutal slaying of Mr. Lasantha Wickramatunga, has stated that at a time a war is waged against terrorism, the media needs to act responsibly exercising care and caution paying due concern to the society we live in. Similarly, barbaric acts such as; attacks on media institution and assassination of media personnel under no circumstances should be condoned.

In the wake of recent military victories, the Government is venturing on a crash development programme in the newly-liberated Kilinochchi town, with the objective of getting civilians to return and begin a new life.

Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa presided over a meeting on Friday in the wake of the security forces’ victory in Elephant Pass – a victory that helped the troops take full control of the strategic A-9 highway – to explore ways and means to restore facilities in Kilinochchi town.

H.E. Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka Sri Lanka's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva

The Human Rights Council continued with its ninth special session on 9^th January, and discussed the grave violations of human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory including the recent aggression of the occupied Gaza Strip.

In various statements, delegations said that the current situation was a source of serious concern. The humanitarian situation in Gaza had worsened due to the outbreak of hostilities, and this was a matter of great concern. The Security Council resolution was a positive effort, but it was just one measure. Several delegations appealed to Israel to put an end to the military operation in Gaza and condemned the criminal and disproportionate attacks by Israel, which principally affected the civilian population. The rocket attacks from Gaza on Israel were also condemned. Speakers stressed that in times of conflict, all parties had the responsibility of respecting the civilian population, and the standards of international human rights law and conventions, as well as the principles of proportionality, distinction and the protection of individuals in all circumstances in situations of hostilities. Nothing justified the current actions by Israel in the Gaza Strip: it was nothing short of an attempt to rewrite international law based on the doctrine of self defence.

By BHARATHA MALLAWARACHI,

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – Sri Lankan soldiers captured two Tamil Tiger rebel camps amid heavy fighting while the air force launched attacks on retreating rebels as government troops pressed ahead with their offensive against the guerrillas in the north, the military said Sunday. 

The military has achieved a string of major victories against the rebels in recent months — including the capture of the Tamil Tiger administrative capital of Kilinochchi a week ago. The government has vowed to crush the separatist guerrillas and end the Indian Ocean island nation's 25-year-old civil war in the coming months.