The International Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP) terminated its enquiry on human rights in the country and announced that it would not be interfering with the Commission of Enquiry, set up by the Sri Lankan government to probe into human rights violations in the region1. The US has also expressed concerns over the state of human rights and conflict resolution but admitted that the issues were “difficult.” It vowed to remain engaged with Colombo in the hope of ensuring progress in the region2.

The battle in the North continued with both sides suffering casualties. Defence spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella declared that the “liberation operation” would continue and that the North would soon be liberated. He also declared that by the end of the year 2008, LTTE would be wiped out from Sri Lanka3. In other developments, the Jantha Vimukthi Perumuna (JVP) has appealed to the British Government to counter LTTE activities with the support from the European Union4.

At the bilateral front, India announced that it would be constructing a 500 MW coal-based power plant at Sampur in the Trincomalee district. India’s National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and Sri Lanka’s Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) would be holding stakes in the ratio of 70:30 in the project5.

Reports noted that energy cooperation would be the main thrust of the forthcoming visit of the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Sri Lanka o April 286. Tehran would be investing around $1.5 billion for developing natural energy resources in the country, including the Sapugaskanda oil refinery project7.

• 1. “Sri Lanka says exit of IIGEP would not affect CoI functioning,” The Colombo Page , April 23, 2008, at http://www.colombopage.com/archive_08/April2330239JV.html
• 2. “Senior US State Department official visits Sri Lanka,” The Colombo Page, April 22, 2008, at http://www.colombopage.com/archive_08/April22142830JR.html
• 3. “Sri Lanka vows to destroy Tamil Tigers,” The Colombo Page, April 24, 2008, at http://www.colombopage.com/archive_08/April24165414JV.html
• 4. “Sri Lanka Marxist party seeks British help to counter LTTE,” The Colombo Page , April 23, 2008, at http://www.colombopage.com/archive_08/April2325749JV.html
• 5. “India will partner with Sri Lanka to build thermal power plant in Sampur,” The Colombo Page,
  April 21, 2008, at http://www.colombopage.com/archive_08/April21143917JR.html
• 6. “Iranian president to visit Pakistan on April 28: spokesman,” Tehran Times, April 27, 2008, at http://www.tehrantimes.com/Index_view.asp?code=167120
• 7. “Lanka to open gem & jewellery factory in Egypt,” The Colombo Page, April 24, 2008, at http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=...