AsiaCalling

Home News Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

Tensions Flare Between Religious Groups in Sri Lanka Over Mosque

E-mail Print PDF

Download Sri Lanka's Muslim community has accused radical Buddhists of trying to damage peaceful relations between the country's religious communities.

A group of Buddhist monks has threatened to demolish a mosque in a sacred area of Dambulla, in central Sri Lanka.

The Prime Minister has backed the monks, ordering the mosque's removal.

It's raised concerns the government is pushing a nationalist Sinhalese agenda to divert attention away from the island's troubled economy.

Kara Douglas from Radio Australia has more.

Last Updated ( Monday, 30 April 2012 09:34 )
 

Widows on Frontline of Sri Lanka’s Mine Clearing Effort

E-mail Print PDF

Download One of the unintended legacies of the civil war in Sri Lanka is the hundreds of thousands of unexploded landmines that litter parts of the country.

The mines continue to maim and kill and they've made it dangerous for many people to return to their villages.

The military and aid agencies are working hard to clear the minefields laid by both sides.

Among those taking on one of the most dangerous jobs in the world are many women made widows by the conflict.

Richard Lindell from Radio Australia has the report.

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 24 April 2012 07:45 )
 

Disappearances Continue in Sri Lanka Post-war, Says Rights Group

E-mail Print PDF

Download In Sri Lanka, a human rights group says people are still disappearing nearly three years after the end of the civil war.

The rights group Platform for Freedom believes there have been about 35 disappearances over the past three months.

The UN Human Rights Council last week passed a resolution calling for a thorough investigation of alleged war crimes committed by both sides during the final phases of the civil war.

Sen Lam from Radio Australia speaks with Brito Fernando, co-convenor of Platform for Freedom from Sri Lanka.

Last Updated ( Monday, 02 April 2012 10:23 )
 

Former Sri Lankan Army Chief Fonseka Given Another Jail Term

E-mail Print PDF

Download A court in Sri Lanka has sentenced former army commander Sarath Fonseka to three years in jail after he accused the government of committing war crimes.

The retired army chief led the government forces to victory against the Tamil Tigers in 2009.

But he fell out with the powerful President Mahinda Rajapakse who he ran against in elections last year. He was defeated in the polls and later arrested on charges of harbouring army deserters and treason.

Ponniah Manikavasagam has the details from Colombo.

Last Updated ( Monday, 28 November 2011 10:00 )
 

‘Do Not Kill the Journalists; Do Not Kill the Democracy’: Rare Sri Lanka Media Protest

E-mail Print PDF

Download Sri Lanka’s three decade long civil war was brought to an end in May 2009.

But, the media continues to face suppression, while dozens of journalists live in exile.

DushiYanthini Kanagasabapathipillai reports on a rare protest by journalists in the North of Sri Lanka demanding greater protection.

Last Updated ( Monday, 29 August 2011 19:51 )
 
  • «
  •  Start 
  •  Prev 
  •  1 
  •  2 
  •  Next 
  •  End 
  • »
Page 1 of 2
                 
  • This week on Asia Calling

Influential Burmese monk refuses to be silenced:  Burma has recently been thrust into the international spotlight. Following the landslide victory of the National League for Democracy in the April by-election and Aung San Suu Kyi finally taking a seat in parliament – Burma is being hailed as Asia’s newest democracy. But the government continues to limit the public, and sometimes political, activities of Burma’s Buddhist monks. Prominent monk Ashin Pyinnyar Thiha is banned from giving any speeches and was recently evicted from his monastery in Rangoon.  Citra Dyah Prastuti travels to Hmaw-Bi Township on the outskirts of Rangoon to meet him.

Single Mothers Fight Prejudice in South Korea: In many parts of the world, May is the month for mothers.  But in South Korea, there’s also a special day for single mothers, unwed women who raise their children solo. Being a single mom is tough – but in South Korea it brings shame upon the entire family. Many children born out of wedlock are kept secret and adopted overseas. But the adoptees are now returning home to find their birth mothers and are working to curb the prejudice single mothers still face. Jason Strother has the story from Seoul.


These stories and much more this week

on Asia Calling:

Your Window on Asia