News stories by IPS Correspondents, page 16

Far from heeding charges of human rights abuses and stifling dissent, the government has, this week, added blatant disregard for judicial fiat to its list of sins.

While the Sri Lankan army has announced the capture of Mullaitivu, the last bastion of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), the plight of more than 250,000 civilians caught in the fighting continues to be as grim as that of civilians in Gaza, say those involved in humanitarian work.

While the Sri Lankan army has announced the capture of Mullaitivu, the last bastion of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), the plight of more than 250,000 civilians caught in the fighting continues to be as grim as that of civilians in Gaza, say those involved in humanitarian work.

Every Tuesday the editorial of ‘The Sunday Leader,’ the feisty, investigative Colombo newspaper, goes through a ritual. Through the morning the editorial staff amble in and out with tension levels rising as deadlines near.

One of the worst legacies of the decades-old civil war in this island country is the culture of violence and impunity that many fear has become ingrained in Sri Lankan society -- once known for ‘serendipity’ and respect for Buddhist virtues.

A controversial but powerful newspaper editor was assassinated Thursday even before outrage and dismay had died down over the ransacking of the premises of a popular radio and TV broadcaster by masked, armed men.

The eight rows of pews at St. Fatima’s church in Colombo were mostly empty despite the festive look from Christmas decorations.

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