
LTTE is racist: Foreign Minister
The Sri Lankan government on Thursday raised the issue of the alleged ‘ethnic cleansing’ of Muslims by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to counter charges the Sinhala-dominated government here was carrying out a genocide against the Lankan Tamils.
The foreign ministry released a speech made by Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama in Canberra raising the issue of displaced Muslims.
Bogollagama said: “I wonder why the shrill voices of those who are screaming of a non-existent humanitarian catastrophe in the Wanni, are deafeningly silent on the plight of the over 1,00,000 Muslims who are now languishing in refugee camps… 24th October marks the 18th anniversary of the ethnic cleansing of Muslims from the North by the LTTE. 75,000 Muslims were compelled to vacate their homes at gun point on this day in 1990 by the LTTE…If any proof were needed of the racist nature of the LTTE, the ethnic cleansing of Muslims from the North, speaks for itself.’’
Senior government officials continued to maintain it was not necessary for the government to react to “India’s internal political developments in Tamil Nadu.’’ An official said the only exchange between the two governments took place on October 6 when the National Security Adviser MK Narayanan met the Lankan deputy high commissioner. “Has there been any subsequent exchange? No. Why should the government react to press statements? The government is considering all the developments and if it is necessary in due course, a statement would be issue,’’ he said.
But there was confusion in the official ranks here after the state-run Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation website ran a story saying President Rajapaksa had informed the Indian government that Sri Lanka had ruled out a ceasefire with the LTTE as demanded by the Tamil Nadu politicians.
The story had to be hastily withdrawn after the Presidential Secretariat denied that Rajapaksa had made any such comment.

US leaders dial Indian counterparts; talk cooperation in defence, Indo-Pacific
- In an introductory telephone call from US secretary of defence Lloyd Austin to Rajnath Singh, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to work together to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation and the strategic partnership.

Deforestation soars in Amazon forest in 2020, analysis finds
- A first look at deforestation in the full year of 2020 shows that roughly 21,000 square kilometers (8,108 square miles) of old-growth forest was cut or burned down, about the size of New Jersey, the US-based non-profit group found in its analysis of satellite data.

Biden’s UN nominee urged to counter China, defend 2019 speech

US issues terror alert over anti-govt extremists, urges to avoid large crowds

Pakistan unveils plan to administer Covid-19 vaccine across country

French Holocaust memorial vandalized on remembrance day
- The Israeli Embassy in France tweeted a photo of the pro-Uighur graffiti scrawled on a wall etched with the names of tens of thousands of French victims of the Holocaust. The embassy expressed “horror and anger” at the vandalism “on such a symbolic day.”

Biden admin scraps Trump-era rule ending work permit for some H-1B spouses

Oil slips as Covid-19, demand concerns weigh ahead of supply report

Man to plead guilty in plot to kidnap Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer

UK plant producing Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine evacuated
- The UK arm of Mumbai-based pharmaceutical company Wockhardt, which is producing the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine in north Wales, said it notified authorities after receiving the package on Wednesday morning. The company had recently hosted British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

South Korea sees one of strongest recoveries among major economies

South Africa cracks down on Bitcoin after alleged ponzi scheme

Britain cracks down on travel to stop virus spread
- Travellers arriving in Britain from high-risk Covid-19 countries will have to quarantine for 10 days in government-provided accommodation, while those wishing to leave will need to explain why in a process checked before departure, interior minister Priti Patel said on Wednesday.

2 dead in reported hostage situation at Texas medical office
