Sri Lanka

Tamil Nadu''s Balaji replaces injured Munaf for Sri Lanka tour

Laxmipathy BalajiChennai/Colombo, Feb. 2 : Tamil Nadu and South Zone fast bowler Laxmipathy Balaji has been recalled to the Indian team. He will replace Munaf Patel in the squad that is playing an ODI series in Sri Lanka.

Munaf sustained a groin injury and was forced to return home after the second ODI.

A cricinfo report said that Balaji last played for India in an ODI in 2005 in Sri Lanka before a stress fracture forced him out of the game.

Aid groups "shocked" over shelling of Sri Lanka hospital

Aid groups "shocked" over shelling of Sri Lanka hospital Colombo  - International aid officials expressed concern Monday about artillery bombardments that hit a hospital in a Tamil rebel-controlled area in northern Sri Lanka and killed at least eight people.

UNICEF spokesman James Elder said the organization confirmed that the hospital in Pudukudirippu, 385 kilometres north-east of Colombo, had been shelled twice Sunday night.

Sri Lanka warns diplomats, news agencies, NGOs to act "responsibly"

Sri Lanka warns diplomats, news agencies, NGOs to act "responsibly" Colombo  -  warned ambassadors, news agencies and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to act "with responsibility" as security forces were set to defeat the Tamil rebels.

In an interview with the Sunday Island newspaper, Rajapaksa warned that those acting irresponsibly will face "dire consequences" if they "attempt to give the LTTE terrorists a second breath of life".

Sri Lanka to extend "safe area" for civilians in war zone

Sri Lanka to extend "safe area" for civilians in war zone Colombo  - The government will maintain a "safe zone" for civilians fleeing the fighting between security forces and Tamil rebels in northern Sri Lanka, a military spokesman said Sunday.

The announcement came as a 48-hour deadline for Tamil rebels to allow civilians to leave conflict areas and enter army-controlled zones under safe passage lapsed Saturday night, with only about 100 civilians making use of the opportunity.

Sri Lanka to extend "safe area" for civilians in war zone

Sri Lanka to extend "safe area" for civilians in war zone Colombo - The government will maintain a "safe zone" for civilians fleeing the fighting between security forces and Tamil rebels in northern Sri Lanka, a military spokesman said Sunday.

The announcement came as a 48-hour deadline for Tamil rebels to allow civilians to leave conflict areas and enter army-controlled zones under safe passage lapsed Saturday night, with only about 100 civilians making use of the opportunity.

Colombo rejects truce call as military operations continue

Sri Lanka MapColombo - The Sri Lankan government Friday ruled out a truce with Tamil rebels as security forces continued operations and moved further into rebel-held territory in the North.

Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe told reporters that ongoing military operations would continue in the Mullaitivu district, 380 kilometres northeast of Colombo
- but a 48-hour period had been given for civilians to move into safer areas.

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