Access to Sri Lanka detention camps ‘not satisfactory’ – ICRC : The International Committee of the Red Cross has been barred from visiting internment camps in Sri Lanka to check on people held by the Colombo government, the head of the organisation has said. Jakob Kellenberger has asked the Sri Lankan government for access to all its camps, which are ringed by barbed wire and soldiers, to check on conditions of hundreds of thousands of Tamil civilians. He pointed out the present situation is “not satisfactory,” Swissinfo reported. The ICRC, which usually refrains from publicly criticizing governments, is mandated under the Geneva Conventions to aid victims of war, Canadian Press reported. Click here to read full article
SLA delays relocation of Vanni detainees in Jaffna: Plans to relocate the Vanni detainees held in schools turned into internment camps in Jaffna peninsula stall due to the reluctance of Sri Lanka Army (SLA) authorities to allow relocation activities to proceed as planned, Non-government Organizations sources in Jaffna said. SLA is particularly reluctant to establish permanent internment camps for the Vanni detainees in Chavakachcheari Thampu Thoaddam and Kodikaamam Raamaavil areas, the sources added. Click here to read full article
‘Epidemic waiting to happen’ in detention camps: A disease outbreak in Tamil refugee camps in northern Sri Lanka is imminent, aid agency Christian Aid said Wednesday. Conditions in refugee camps remained desperately poor and there are 30 refugees living in five-person tents, the NGO said, as the overcrowded camps struggle to contend with the influx of civilians. Robin Greenwood, director of the charity’s Asia programme said the camps are “an epidemic waiting to happen.” Click here to read full article
Armed men shoot Tamil youth in Colombo: A Tamil youth was critically injured when unidentified armed persons arrived in a three wheeler fired at him. They fled from the scene when the neighbors shouted for assistance. The incident took place Tuesday afternoon around 12:55 p.m. at New Chetty Street in Kotahena police division in Colombo district, according to Police Spokesman Ranjit Gunasekara. The injured has been identified as Satkunarajah Wimalan (26) of New Chetty Street. Click here to read full article
SLA-backed paramilitary men abduct Tamil civilian in Batticaloa: Paramilitary men operating with Sri Lanka Army (SLA) arriving in a black pick-up vehicle Thursday around 9:00 p.m at the house of a Tamil three-wheel driver abducted him, in Vaazhaichcheanai in Batticaloa district, according to a complaint lodged with Vaazhaichcheanai police. The relatives of the driver said that the paramilitary men had said in Sinhalese language that they had come from Pollanaruwa police station. Click here for full article
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