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Top French envoy Francois Zimeray -- pictured in 1999 -- has ...

(AFP) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:04:00 GMT

(AFP) - Top French envoy Francois Zimeray -- pictured in 1999 -- has asked Sri Lanka to end its state of emergency and probe war crimes ahead of a key European Union ruling on trade concessions to the troubled island. Photo:/AFP

Sri Lankan refugees displaced during the final stages of the ...

(AFP) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:04:00 GMT

(AFP) - Sri Lankan refugees displaced during the final stages of the fighting, prepare to climb aboard state-buses, which will take them to their native homes in the island's northern district of Mannar in October 2009. A top French envoy has asked Sri Lanka to end its state of emergency and probe war crimes ahead of a key European Union ruling on trade concessions to the troubled island. Photo:Ishara S.Kodikara/AFP

A Sri Lankan stall holder waits for customers at a gem and jewellery ...

(AFP) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:30:00 GMT

(AFP) - A Sri Lankan stall holder waits for customers at a gem and jewellery exhibition in Colombo in September. Sri Lanka's central bank on Saturday said it has been buying gold to diversify its reserves amid volatile currency markets, days after India announced it had purchased 200 tonnes of the precious metal. Photo:Ishara S. Kodikara/AFP

Gold bars are pictured in April at a plant of gold refiner and ...

(AFP) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:30:00 GMT

(AFP) - Gold bars are pictured in April at a plant of gold refiner and bar manufacturer in southern Switzerland. The price of gold hit a record high above 1,100 dollars an ounce in London trading on Friday following a report that Sri Lanka had joined India in purchasing the precious metal. Photo:Sebastian Derungs/AFP

The International Monetary Fund said Friday its executive board ...

(AFP) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:38:00 GMT

(AFP) - The International Monetary Fund said Friday its executive board approved the release of 329.4 million dollars to Sri Lanka, the second portion of a loan to help the country weather the economic crisis. Photo:/AFP

Sri Lankan asylum seekers stand on the lower deck of the Australian ...

(AFP) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:57:00 GMT

(AFP) - Sri Lankan asylum seekers stand on the lower deck of the Australian Customs and Immigration Fisheries Patrol vessel anchored off Indonesia's Riau Island of Tanjung Pinang, in October 2009. The leader of a boat of Sri Lankan asylum seekers held in Indonesia is a known people smuggler previously deported from Canada, the government said Friday, a charge he has strongly denied. Photo:Roslan Rahman/AFP

This photo taken on October 28, shows Sri Lankan asylum seekers ...

(AFP) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:32:00 GMT

(AFP) - This photo taken on October 28, shows Sri Lankan asylum seekers standing on the lower deck of the Australian Customs and Immigration Fisheries Patrol vessel anchored off Indonesia's Riau Island. The leader of a boat of Sri Lankan asylum seekers held in Indonesia is a known people smuggler previously deported from Canada, the government said Friday, a charge he has strongly denied. Photo:Roslan Rahman/AFP

This photo taken in October, shows Sri Lankan asylum seekers ...

(AFP) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:32:00 GMT

(AFP) - This photo taken in October, shows Sri Lankan asylum seekers trying to communicate with the media from the deck of the Australian Customs and Immigration Fisheries Patrol vessel anchored off Indonesia's Riau Island. The leader of the boat of Sri Lankan asylum seekers is a known people smuggler previously deported from Canada, the government said Friday, a charge he has strongly denied. Photo:Roslan Rahman/AFP

Lawyers for the federal government reveal that at least two ...

(CBC) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:55:53 GMT

(CBC) - Lawyers for the federal government reveal that at least two of the 76 men who came to Canada illegally last month are members of the Tamil Tigers, a group banned in this country as a terrorist organization.

Sri Lankan men read a newspaper in Colombo with a headline on ...

(AFP) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:07:00 GMT

(AFP) - Sri Lankan men read a newspaper in Colombo with a headline on top military officer General Sarath Fonseka's return home. Sri Lanka's military commander returned home on Thursday after cutting short a visit to the United States to avoid questioning by authorities over alleged war crimes against Tamil civilians. Photo:Ishara S.Kodikara/AFP

Tamil civilians at the Manik Farm refugee camp on the outskirts ...

(AFP) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:11:00 GMT

(AFP) - Tamil civilians at the Manik Farm refugee camp on the outskirts of the northern Sri Lankan town of Vavuniya in May 2009. The US House of Representatives urged Sri Lanka's government Wednesday to guarantee the safety and quick release of some 300,000 Tamils and other war-displaced people currently held in camps. Photo:David Gray/AFP

Sri Lanka's president has announced an immediate salary increase ...

(AFP) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:09:00 GMT

(AFP) - Sri Lanka's president has announced an immediate salary increase for all members of the country's armed forces amid plans to boost the strength of the security services. Photo:Ishara S. Kodikara/AFP

Sri Lanka's Chief of Defence Staff, General Sarath Fonseka in ...

(AFP) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:00:00 GMT

(AFP) - Sri Lanka's Chief of Defence Staff, General Sarath Fonseka in Colombo in July. Sri Lanka's top military officer returned home Thursday after he was allowed to complete a US visit without being questioned over alleged war crimes against Tamil civilians. Photo:Ishara S. Kodikara/AFP

The Tamil Tigers organization hopes to use Canada as a strategic ...

(CBC) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:15:05 GMT

(CBC) - The Tamil Tigers organization hopes to use Canada as a strategic base to continue the fight against the government of Sri Lanka, according to an authority on the alleged terrorist group.

Sri Lanka's Ajantha Mendis juggles cricket balls during a practice ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:13:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Sri Lanka's Ajantha Mendis juggles cricket balls during a practice session in Colombo November 3, 2009. The Sri Lankan team will be leaving for India to play 5 ODI's, 2 Twenty20's, and 3 Test matches starting November 16. REUTERS/Stringer (SRI LANKA SPORT CRICKET)

Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan bowls during a practice session ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:00:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan bowls during a practice session in Colombo November 3, 2009. The Sri Lankan team will be leaving for India to play five ODI, two Twenty20 and three Test matches starting November 16. REUTERS/Stringer (SRI LANKA SPORT CRICKET)

Sri Lanka's Nuwan Kulasekara bowls during a practice session ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:59:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Sri Lanka's Nuwan Kulasekara bowls during a practice session in Colombo November 3, 2009. The Sri Lankan team will be leaving for India to play five ODI, two Twenty20 and three Test matches starting November 16. REUTERS/Stringer (SRI LANKA SPORT CRICKET)

Sri Lankan opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe. Sri Lanka's ...

(AFP) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:56:00 GMT

(AFP) - Sri Lankan opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe. Sri Lanka's main opposition on Tuesday formed an alliance with minority Tamil and Muslim parties and a breakaway faction of the ruling coalition to contest possible snap elections. Photo:Ishara S. Kodikara/AFP

Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama listens to ...

(Reuters) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:31:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama listens to reporters' questions during a news conference regarding Sri Lanka's former army commander and chief of Defense Staff, Sarath Fonseka, in Colombo, November 2, 2009. Sri Lanka said on Monday it had demanded Washington drop an attempt to question its top military official over possible human rights violations in the last phase of the country's 25-year civil war. Bogollagama said he had been told General Fonseka had been asked by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to attend an interview aimed at gathering information against Sri Lanka's defense secretary. REUTERS/Stringer (SRI LANKA POLITICS CRIME LAW)

Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama speaks to reporters ...

(Reuters) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:29:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama speaks to reporters during a news conference regarding Sri Lanka's former army commander and chief of Defense Staff, Sarath Fonseka, in Colombo, November 2, 2009. Sri Lanka said on Monday it had demanded Washington drop an attempt to question its top military official over possible human rights violations in the last phase of the country's 25-year civil war. Bogollagama said he had been told General Fonseka had been asked by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to attend an interview aimed at gathering information against Sri Lanka's defense secretary. REUTERS/Stringer (SRI LANKA POLITICS CRIME LAW)

Sri Lanka's Army Commander Sarath Fonseka attends a ceremony ...

(Reuters) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:09:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Sri Lanka's Army Commander Sarath Fonseka attends a ceremony for the relinquishment of command at an army headquarters in Colombo, Sri Lanka in this December 5, 2005 file photo. REUTERS/STR New

Bulgaria's President Georgi Parvanov (L) shakes hands with Sri ...

(Reuters) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 14:07:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Bulgaria's President Georgi Parvanov (L) shakes hands with Sri Lanka's Minister of Foreign Affairs Rohitha Bogollagama during a news conference in Colombo, November 1, 2009. Parvanov is in Sri Lanka to hold talks on economic bilateral relations between the two countries. REUTERS/Stringer (SRI LANKA POLITICS)

Sri Lanka's top military commander, General Sarath Fonseka (pictured), ...

(AFP) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 12:49:00 GMT

(AFP) - Sri Lanka's top military commander, General Sarath Fonseka (pictured), is to be questioned by US authorities over allegations of war crimes during the island's fight against Tamil Tiger rebels, a report said Sunday. Photo:Ishara S. Kodikara/AFP

A Sri Lankan asylum seeker on a boat moored at Merak seaport ...

(AFP) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 05:40:00 GMT

(AFP) - A Sri Lankan asylum seeker on a boat moored at Merak seaport in Indonesia's Java island. Australia has said it would increase the number of beds at its main immigration centre to cope with an influx of boatpeople, amid concerns about growing numbers of asylum seekers from Sri Lanka. Photo:Adek Berry/AFP

Georgi Parvanov, President of the Republic of Bulgaria, and ...

(Reuters) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:23:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Georgi Parvanov, President of the Republic of Bulgaria, and his wife Zorka Petrova Parvanova arrive at Katunayake International airport in Colombo October 31, 2009. Parvanov is in Sri Lanka to hold talks on economic bilateral relations. REUTERS/Stringer (SRI LANKA POLITICS)

Sri Lankan Buddhist monks stage a demonstration in the capital ...

(AFP) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 07:56:00 GMT

(AFP) - Sri Lankan Buddhist monks stage a demonstration in the capital of Colombo on October 1 to protest against alleged US support for remnants of the defeated Tamil Tiger rebels. The United States on Friday announced funding for up to 1,000 former Tamil guerrillas to reintegrate in society by starting their own businesses or learning new skills. Photo:Lakruwan Wanniarachchi/AFP

Sri Lanka asylum seekers stand on the deck of an Australian ...

(AFP) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 06:53:00 GMT

(AFP) - Sri Lanka asylum seekers stand on the deck of an Australian Customs and Immigration Fisheries Patrol vessel anchored off Indonesia's Riau Island of Tanjung Pinang on October 27. Indonesia on Friday gave an Australian customs boat another week to end a standoff with 78 Sri Lankan asylum seekers who are refusing to disembark on Indonesia's Bintan island. Photo:Roslan Rahman/AFP

Sri Lanka asylum seekers look out from the deck of an Australian ...

(AFP) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:45:00 GMT

(AFP) - Sri Lanka asylum seekers look out from the deck of an Australian Customs and Immigration Fishiries Patrol vessel anchored off Indonesia's Riau Island of Tanjung Pinang on October 27. Australia told a group of rescued Sri Lankan asylum-seekers they could not choose their destination and refused to rule out using force after they refused to disembark in Indonesia. Photo:Roslan Rahman/AFP

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa (C), with his wife, talks ...

(Reuters) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:54:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa (C), with his wife, talks to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala (L) at the Tribhuvan International airport in Kathmandu October 29, 2009. Rajapaksa arrived in Nepal on Thursday for a three-day pilgrimage. REUTERS/Gopal Chitrakar (NEPAL POLITICS)

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa (R) is being welcomed ...

(Reuters) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:50:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa (R) is being welcomed by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala at the Tribhuvan International airport in Kathmandu October 29, 2009. Rajapaksa arrived in Nepal on Thursday for a three-day pilgrimage. REUTERS/Gopal Chitrakar (NEPAL POLITICS)

Australian Customs officials stand with Sri Lankan refugees ...

(Reuters) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 07:45:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Australian Customs officials stand with Sri Lankan refugees on the customs vessel Oceanic Viking, which is anchored near Bengkil Island, about 14km (8.2 miles) east of Tanjung Pinang and the port of Kijang on the Indonesian island of Bintan, October 29, 2009. Australia insisted on Wednesday that 78 Sri Lankan asylum seekers rescued by one of its customs ships would not be brought to Australia,despite media reports that Indonesian officials had refused to accept the boatpeople. REUTERS/Vivek Prakash (INDONESIA POLITICS MILITARY SOCIETY)

An Australian Customs official stands with Sri Lankan refugees ...

(Reuters) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 07:44:00 GMT

(Reuters) - An Australian Customs official stands with Sri Lankan refugees on the customs vessel Oceanic Viking, which is anchored near Bengkil Island, about 14km (8.2 miles) east of Tanjung Pinang and the port of Kijang on the Indonesian island of Bintan, October 29, 2009. Australia insisted on Wednesday that 78 Sri Lankan asylum seekers rescued by one of its customs ships would not be brought to Australia, despite media reports that Indonesian officials had refused to accept the boatpeople. REUTERS/Vivek Prakash (INDONESIA POLITICS MILITARY SOCIETY)

An Australian Customs official keeps watch over Sri Lankan refugees ...

(Reuters) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 07:43:00 GMT

(Reuters) - An Australian Customs official keeps watch over Sri Lankan refugees inside the ship as a fishing boat carrying media approaches the vessel Oceanic Viking, which is anchored near Bengkil Island, about 14km (8.2 miles) east of Tanjung Pinang and the port of Kijang on the Indonesian island of Bintan, October 29, 2009. Australia insisted on Wednesday that 78 Sri Lankan asylum seekers rescued by one of its customs ships would not be brought to Australia, despite media reports that Indonesian officials had refused to accept the boatpeople. REUTERS/Vivek Prakash (INDONESIA POLITICS MILITARY SOCIETY)

An Australian Customs official asks Sri Lankan refugees to move ...

(Reuters) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 07:42:00 GMT

(Reuters) - An Australian Customs official asks Sri Lankan refugees to move inside the ship as a fishing boat carrying media approaches the vessel Oceanic Viking, which is anchored near Bengkil Island, about 14km (8.2 miles) east of Tanjung Pinang and the port of Kijang on the Indonesian island of Bintan, October 29, 2009. Australia insisted on Wednesday that 78 Sri Lankan asylum seekers rescued by one of its customs ships would not be brought to Australia, despite media reports that Indonesian officials had refused to accept the boatpeople. REUTERS/Vivek Prakash (INDONESIA POLITICS MILITARY SOCIETY)

A university student shouts near a puppet of Sri Lanka's President ...

(Reuters) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:51:00 GMT

(Reuters) - A university student shouts near a puppet of Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapaksa during a protest in Colombo October 28, 2009. The Inter-university Students Union staged a protest campaign calling for the stop of what they call the privatisation of education by the government and to stop private institutions having the power to award degrees. REUTERS/Stringer (SRI LANKA POLITICS CONFLICT EDUCATION)

Police take up position behind a metal barrier as students from ...

(Reuters) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:47:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Police take up position behind a metal barrier as students from a group of universities hold a puppet of Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapaksa over the barrier during a protest in Colombo October 28, 2009. The Inter-university Students Union staged a protest campaign calling for the stop of what they call the privatisation of education by the government and to stop private institutions having the power to award degrees. REUTERS/Stringer (SRI LANKA POLITICS CONFLICT EDUCATION IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Sri Lankan refugees look out from the Australian coast guard ...

(Reuters) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:18:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Sri Lankan refugees look out from the Australian coast guard vessel Oceanic Viking anchored near Bengkil Island, about 14km (8.2 miles) east of Tanjung Pinang and the port of Kijang on the Indonesian island of Bintan, October 28, 2009. Australia insisted on Wednesday that 78 Sri Lankan asylum seekers rescued by one of its customs ships would not be brought to Australia, despite media reports that Indonesian officials had refused to accept the boat people. REUTERS/Vivek Prakash (INDONESIA POLITICS MILITARY SOCIETY)

Part of the 260 asylum seekers from Sri Lanka detained by the ...

(Reuters) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:03:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Part of the 260 asylum seekers from Sri Lanka detained by the Indonesian Navy, shout slogan during a protest in a harbour at the Indonesia's Banten province October 28, 2009. Another 78 Sri Lankan asylum seekers rescued by an Australian customs vessell in Indonesian waters are due to be taken to a detention centre on Bintan island, an Indonesian official said on Monday. REUTERS/Dadang Tri (INDONESIA POLITICS CONFLICT)

A boy, part of the 260 Sri Lankan asylum seekers who were detained ...

(Reuters) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:55:00 GMT

(Reuters) - A boy, part of the 260 Sri Lankan asylum seekers who were detained by the Indonesian Navy, shouts slogans during a protest on a boat, in a harbour in Indonesia's Banten province October 28, 2009. Another 78 Sri Lankan asylum seekers rescued by an Australian customs vessel in Indonesian waters are to be taken to a detention centre on the Indonesian island of Bintan, an official said on Monday. REUTERS/Dadang Tri (INDONESIA POLITICS CONFLICT SOCIETY IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Asylum seekers from Sri Lanka, part of the group of 260 who ...

(Reuters) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:52:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Asylum seekers from Sri Lanka, part of the group of 260 who were detained by the Indonesian Navy, shout slogans on their boat in Indonesia's Banten province October 28, 2009. Another 78 Sri Lankan asylum seekers rescued by an Australian customs vessel in Indonesian waters are to be taken to a detention centre on the Indonesian island of Bintan, an official said on Monday. REUTERS/Dadang Tri (INDONESIA POLITICS SOCIETY CONFLICT)

Two men, part of the 260 Sri Lankan asylum seekers who were ...

(Reuters) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:21:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Two men, part of the 260 Sri Lankan asylum seekers who were detained by the Indonesian Navy, shout as they call on the United Nations High Commission for Refugees to take care of them, during a protest on their wooden boat in Cilegon harbour in Indonesia's Banten province October 28, 2009. Another 78 Sri Lankan asylum seekers rescued by an Australian customs vessel in Indonesian waters are to be taken to a detention centre on the Indonesian island of Bintan, an official said on Monday. REUTERS/Dadang Tri (INDONESIA POLITICS SOCIETY CONFLICT IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Sri Lankan refugees are seen onboard the Australian coast guard ...

(Reuters) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:42:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Sri Lankan refugees are seen onboard the Australian coast guard vessel Oceanic Viking, which is anchored near Bengkil Island, about 14km (8.2 miles) east of the Tanjung Pinang and the port of Kijang on the Indonesian island of Bintan, October 28, 2009. Seventy eight asylum seekers onboard the Oceanic Viking are waiting to be handed over to Indonesian authorities, according to the Australian Ministry of Home Affairs. REUTERS/Vivek Prakash (INDONESIA POLITICS MILITARY SOCIETY IMAGES OF THE DAY)

A man, part of the 260 Sri Lankan asylum seekers who were detained ...

(Reuters) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:43:00 GMT

(Reuters) - A man, part of the 260 Sri Lankan asylum seekers who were detained by the Indonesian Navy, takes a bath on a wooden boat in a harbour, in Indonesia's Banten province October 28, 2009. Another 78 Sri Lankan asylum seekers rescued by an Australian customs vessel in Indonesian waters are to be taken to a detention centre on the Indonesian island of Bintan, an official said on Monday. REUTERS/Dadang Tri (INDONESIA POLITICS CONFLICT SOCIETY)

A girl, part of the 260 Sri Lankan asylum seekers who were detained ...

(Reuters) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:39:00 GMT

(Reuters) - A girl, part of the 260 Sri Lankan asylum seekers who were detained by the Indonesian Navy, holds a placard on a wooden boat in a harbour, in Indonesia's Banten province October 28, 2009. Another 78 Sri Lankan asylum seekers rescued by an Australian customs vessel in Indonesian waters are to be taken to a detention centre on the Indonesian island of Bintan, an official said on Monday. REUTERS/Dadang Tri (INDONESIA POLITICS SOCIETY CONFLICT)

Tamil civillians displaced in fighting between Sri Lankan government ...

(AFP) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:25:00 GMT

(AFP) - Tamil civillians displaced in fighting between Sri Lankan government forces and Tamil Tiger rebels flee Mullivaikkal in April. Sri Lanka's agreement to probe war crimes allegations related to its defeat of Tamil Tiger rebels is a smokescreen to avoid an international inquiry, a human rights group said Wednesday. Photo:/AFP

Young Sri Lankan asylum-seekers look out from the Australian ...

(AFP) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:25:00 GMT

(AFP) - Young Sri Lankan asylum-seekers look out from the Australian Customs and Immigration Fishiries Patrol vessel anchored off Indonesia's Riau Island of Tanjung Pinang. An Indonesian provincial governor refused Tuesday to allow an Australian customs vessel to unload 78 Sri Lankan asylum-seekers, saying Indonesia is not a 'dumping ground' for refugees. Photo:Roslan Rahman/AFP

A group of Indonesian youth hold placards asking for the refusal ...

(AFP) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:25:00 GMT

(AFP) - A group of Indonesian youth hold placards asking for the refusal of asylum to Sri Lankan asylum seekers on an Australian Customs and Immigration Fishiries Patrol vessel anchored off Indonesia's Riau Island of Tanjung Pinang. Photo:Roslan Rahman/AFP

A Sri Lankan refugee (2nd L) receives his lunch from Australian ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:03:00 GMT

(Reuters) - A Sri Lankan refugee (2nd L) receives his lunch from Australian customs officers on the deck of the Australian coast guard vessel, Oceanic Viking anchored near Bengkil Island, about 14km (8.2 miles) east of the Tanjung Pinang and the port of Kijang on the Indonesian island of Bintan October 27, 2009. A refugee on the ship said he was from the Jaffna area in northern Sri Lanka and had left Sri Lanka 6 months ago, and that the refugees had been on their current vessel for 10 days. Seventy eight Sri Lankan asylum seekers rescued by an Australian customs vessel in Indonesian waters are to be taken to a detention centre on the Indonesian island of Bintan, an official said on Monday. Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, seeking to curb a growing number of asylum seekers, has sought help from Jakarta and other neighbours over the politically sensitive issue. REUTERS/Vivek Prakash (INDONESIA POLITICS MILITARY SOCIETY)

Sri Lankan refugees wave from the Australian coast guard vessel, ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:43:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Sri Lankan refugees wave from the Australian coast guard vessel, Oceanic Viking anchored near Bengkil Island, about 14 km (8.7 miles) east of the Tanjung Pinang and the port of Kijang, on the Indonesian island of Bintan October 27, 2009. Seventy eight Sri Lankan asylum seekers rescued by an Australian customs vessel in Indonesian waters are to be taken to a detention centre on the Indonesian island of Bintan, an official said on Monday. Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, seeking to curb a growing number of asylum seekers, has sought help from Jakarta and other neighbours over the politically sensitive issue. REUTERS/Vivek Prakash (INDONESIA POLITICS MILITARY SOCIETY)

Demonstrators chant as they hold signs in front of the US Department ...

(AFP) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:14:00 GMT

(AFP) - Demonstrators chant as they hold signs in front of the US Department of State against the genocide of Tamils in Sri Lanka, in February 2009. The Sri Lankan government on Monday said it would investigate war crimes allegations made against its troops in a US State Department report. Photo:Paul J. Richards/AFP