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Sri Lankan rebels, breakaway faction still recruiting child soldiers – Ban Ki-moon

The separatist Tamil Tiger rebels and a breakaway group known as the Tamil Makkal Viduthali Pulikal (TMVP)/Karuna faction continue to abduct children to fight as soldiers in the bloody conflict in Sri Lanka, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a new report made public today.

Sri Lanka: UN expert urges targeted measures to assist internally displaced

While considerable efforts have been made to assist hundreds of thousands of people displaced by conflict in Sri Lanka, more must be done to ensure their safety and access to livelihoods so that they can lead normal lives, according to an independent United Nations human rights expert who recently visited the country.

Ban Ki-moon condemns suicide attacks in Sri Lanka

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has voiced outrage at today’s twin suicide attacks in the Sri Lankan capital, which have killed or wounded dozens of people, and yesterday’s aerial assault on a United Nations aid office in the far north of the troubled country.

Haiti: Over 100 Sri Lankan blue helmets repatriated on disciplinary grounds – UN

The United Nations today announced that it will repatriate more than 100 Sri Lankan peacekeepers serving with the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) on disciplinary grounds.

UN human rights expert reports allegations of torture in Sri Lanka

An independent United Nations human rights expert said today that although Sri Lanka has measures in place to prevent torture, the brutal practice is widespread – an accusation disputed by a representative of the country’s Government.

UN, Sri Lanka should cooperate on human rights, High Commissioner says

Citing ongoing reports of abuses in Sri Lanka, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, who has just wrapped up a visit to the country, called for UN-Government cooperation to address the problem.

Displaced for 10 years, Sri Lankans find new homes under UN-backed project

More than 360 displaced families have been given new homes in northern Sri Lanka under a United Nations-backed programme after spending a decade in overcrowded welfare centres for internally displaced persons (IDP).

Top UN relief official discusses humanitarian concerns with Sri Lankan President

Assistance for returnees and ensuring the safety of civilians and aid workers were on the agenda today as United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes met with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to discuss humanitarian matters in the South Asian island nation.

UN relief chief tours conflict-wracked areas of eastern Sri Lanka

The top United Nations humanitarian official toured eastern Sri Lanka today, meeting with some of the tens of thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in the region and holding talks with local authorities to try to improve the relief effort there.

Sri Lanka: UN relief chief calls on Government to probe aid workers’ murders

Terming the killings a year ago today of 17 Sri Lankan aid workers “probably the single worst crime committed against humanitarian workers in recent history,” the top United Nations humanitarian official called on the Government to investigate “with the full weight and force of the justice system” the crime that has seemingly become a cold case.