U.N. official: Sri Lanka ceasefire ‘inadequate’

[ CNN ] The United Nations humanitarian chief Wednesday criticized a two-day pause in the fighting between the Sri Lankan army and Tamil Tiger rebels as “inadequate.” John Holmes, the under secretary general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, told reporters that the 48-hour break in hostilities was not sufficient, even as fighting resumed…

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UN Says Longer Pause in Fighting Needed in Sri Lanka

[ VOA ] The United Nations top humanitarian official welcomed a 48-hour pause in fighting in Sri Lanka’s conflict zone, but cautioned that it was insufficient to get in enough aid or to evacuate many of the more than 100,000 civilians trapped by the fighting between the government and Tamil rebels. U.N. Humanitarian Coordinator John…

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Sri Lanka in new truce rejection

[BBC] The Sri Lankan government has rejected fresh calls for a temporary ceasefire with Tamil Tiger rebels. Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama told the BBC that if the rebels laid down their arms there would be no need for a halt in the fighting. Reports of growing civilian casualties have prompted the UN, European Union and…

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