Obama apologizes to Karzai on Koran desecration

US President Barack Obama in a letter to Afghan President Hamid Karzai, regret and apologized over the violation of the Holy Koran at the Bagram Airbase.

Obama’s letter to Karzai in this regard was delivering by US Ambassador to Afghanistan, Ryan Croker, National Security Council spokesman, Tommey Vietor, said.

“Following up on their 20 February phone call, the President sent a letter to President Karzai to go on their discussion on a variety of issues related to our long-term partnership,” Vietor said.

“In the letter, delivered by Ambassador Crocker this afternoon in Kabul, the President also expressed our regret and apology over the incident in which religious materials were accidentally mishandled at Bagram Airbase,” Vietor said.

The burning of copies of the Koran at the Bagram base north of Kabul has sparked three days of fierce anti-US protest in Afghanistan in which at least 12 protesters have been killed.

Sri Lanka jail rioting 'injures 31' in Colombo

At least 31 people have been injured in clashes between guards and riot inmates at a prison in the Sri Lankan capital, hospital officials say.

Most of the offended are prisoners who were shot by guard. Police forces deny claims that three inmates were killed.

Several buildings were set alight in the remand wing of Colombo's main prison before order was restore.

Prisoners say they desire better food and conditions. Police force said inmates were angry at moves to curb drug smuggling.

The head of Sri Lanka's prisons department admitted that the treatment of prisoners in the jail fell short of suitable standards.

A local resident told the Associated Press news agency that disturbances had been going on for numerous days.