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As refugees start to flee Sri Lanka, UN refugee agency warns of new violence

The United Nations Refugee agency (UNHCR) said today that its staff in Sri Lanka reports a “trickle” of refugees fleeing to India in fishing boats, raising concerns about the deterioration of the security situation in Sri Lanka.

Reacting to worsening security in Sri Lanka, Annan urges respect for ceasefire

Responding to the deteriorating security situation in Sri Lanka, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today called on the country’s Government and the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to support the ceasefire and resume talks.

Sri Lanka: UN expert calls on all sides to act against extrajudicial killings

The United Nations expert on arbitrary executions has called on all parties to the conflict in Sri Lanka to take more determined action to tackle the killings that have plagued the country in recent days.

Deadly violence in Sri Lanka must not derail peace process – Annan

Strongly condemning the recent violence in Sri Lanka, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today voiced hope that it will not hamper the commitment of the Government or rebels to the peace process.

Annan's envoy makes four-day visit to Sri Lanka after foreign minister's assassination

As the international community looks for ways to put Sri Lanka's peace process back on track in the aftermath of the assassination of the foreign minister, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan's envoy has just ended a four-day visit to the Asian country's capital, Colombo, the UN spokesman said today.

Sri Lanka: UN protests over hauling down of its flags in Tamil separatist area

A group of 60 people forced their way into United Nations compounds yesterday in an area of Sri Lanka controlled by the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and hauled down UN flags that were flying at half-mast as a sign of respect for assassinated Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar.

Security Council urges Sri Lankans to maintain ceasefire after minister’s murder

The United Nations Security Council has called on the parties in Sri Lanka to fully observe the ceasefire agreement between the Government and Tamil separatists following the assassination of Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar.

Secretary-General deplores assassination of Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister

Shocked and saddened to learn that a few hours ago, Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar had been shot and killed in his country's capital, Colombo, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan strongly deplored this "criminal and senseless act" and expressed the hope that the perpetrators will be found and brought to justice.

UN joins Sri Lankan efforts to reduce landmine casualties

As Sri Lankans return to their fields to begin planting and harvesting their crops, the United Nations is supporting a national campaign to prevent them reaping a deadly harvest – hidden mines and other explosives seeded throughout the north and east from decades of war between the Government and Tamil separatists.

Annan welcomes aid-sharing pact between Government and rebels in Sri Lanka

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan welcomed the signing today of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Sri Lankan Government and the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE) to establish a joint tsunami aid-sharing structure.