Sri Lanka rebel chief could be dead in 6 months - army

Sri Lanka's army chief said the leader of the country's Tamil Tiger rebels could be dead within six months and the military's aim is to kill 10 rebels a day, a newspaper report said on Sunday.

Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka was quoted by the state-run weekend paper Sunday Observer as saying the security forces have occupied Tamil Tiger forward defence lines and surrounded the northern rebel held Wanni rebel base.

"The LTTE could not prevent losing their remaining 3,000 cadres and there is no assurance that the LTTE leader V. Prabhakaran would survive for the next six months as the Sri Lanka Air Force plans to attack all the LTTE bases," Fonseka said.

The full name for the rebels is Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

"Our daily target is to kill at least 10 LTTE terrorists and for the last few months over 500 LTTE ... have been killed by the armed forces," Fonseka said.

Read more,
http://in.reuters.com/article/southAsiaNews/idINIndia-31173820071230

India a major factor in Sri Lanka: Rajapaksa

India is 'a major factor' in any resolution of the Sri Lankan ethnic conflict and Sri Lankans must realise this, says Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.

Asked about India's role in finding a solution to the dragging conflict, Rajapaksa told the state-run Sunday Observer: 'India is a major factor and we have recognised it from the very beginning.

'Lots of people talk about the international community but we believe that India is the major factor in our problem.

'We have to realise the importance of India because it is becoming a superpower,' he added.

Read more,
http://www.indiaenews.com/srilanka/20071230/88808.htm

33 terrorists killed, 38 wounded: SLA overruns LTTE stronghold- Mannar

Latest reports state, at least 33 terrorists were killed and 38 wounded yesterday (December 29) when security forces made decisive in-routes towards non-liberated Parappakandal area.

"Troops advanced into Parappakandal West in the non-liberated areas of Mannar, 800 metres forward and took control over a total area of one square kilometre at the moment," Military Spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara was cited speaking to media.

According to military, six soldiers who sustained injuries during the confrontations were admitted to general hospital at Mannar, for further medical attention.

Meanwhile, reports on pro-LTTE news portals monotonously lamented that only three LTTE terrorists were killed in their consecutive defeat within a week at Wanni defences. Earlier, security forces overran Uyilankulama and Thampanai LTTE defences on 22nd December, added defence sources.

Read more,
http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20071230_02

Berghof chief asked to leave

Hot on the heels of SriLankan Airlines CEO Peter Hill being sent packing, the head of the controversial Swiss and German funded NGO, the Berghof Foundation for Conflict Studies, had been asked to leave Sri Lanka by tomorrow, an immigration official said. He said Berghof director Norbert Ropers had been given about 20 days notice that his visa would not be renewed on security grounds.

Recently, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna had made some critical statements against Berghof Foundation, the German based NGO, that came into the country to promote "good governance". The Sunday Times contacted the Defence Ministry several times to ask why Dr. Ropers was being asked to leave the country, but no clear answer was given.

Lakshman Hulugalla, chief of the Media Centre for National Security was contacted by us on Friday and he promised to explain the position yesterday but did not do so. Like the Foundation he headed, Dr. Ropers also had courted controversy. In May this year he was pulled up by the Parliamentary Select Committee probing activities of NGOs for failing to appear before the Committee despite having received three letters to do so.

Read more,
http://www.sundaytimes.lk/071230/News/news0001.html

Ban LTTE, end truce

The Government can make a fresh start to address Tamil grievances once it officially bans the LTTE and abolishes the Ceasefire Agreement signed with the LTTE, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said yesterday.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily News, Defence Secretary Rajapaksa said the Ceasefire Agreement has become a joke in the eyes of the people with so many violations.

“The Ceasefire Agreement exists only on paper. Obviously we can see that there is no Ceasefire. It has become a joke,” the Defence Secretary said.

He said so many Governments have signed a number of Ceasefire Agreements in the past since the Thimpu Agreement.

“Once you sign a Peace Agreement and then you come to the next Ceasefire Agreement or whatever agreement, you must abolish the other [previous] one. It had never happened. From the Thimpu Agreement there are so many peace agreements including the Indo Lanka Agreement,” Rajapaksa added.

Read more,
http://www.dailynews.lk/2007/12/29/sec01.asp

Cops comb TN coast for LTTE men

Tamil Nadu police and its intelligence wing ‘Q Branch’ have launched a combing operation following reports that a group of LTTE militants had sneaked into the coastal areas of Ramanathapuram district.

“We have asked all the lodges and hotels to be checked,” a police official said here today.

The search was launched following intelligence reports that the Tamil Tigers had entered through the coastal areas after a pitched battle erupted between the ‘Sea Tigers’, the naval wing of the LTTE, and the Sri Lankan Navy in the sea off Katchathivu and Nedunthivu.

Read more,
http://www.chennaionline.com/colnews/newsitem.asp?

Gayoom in Sri Lanka in January

Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, his wife Nasreena M.A. Gayoom and a delegation will arrive in Sri Lanka on a State visit from January 16 to 19, said M.M. Jaffeer, Chief Protocol for Foreign Affairs Ministry.

The main highlight of the programme would be the meeting of President Gayoom and President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The two Heads of State will sign an agreement on 'Transfer of Prisoners' at a special meeting. President Gayoom and his delegation are expected to visit Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Sigiriya, sources added.

Extracted from,
http://www.dailynews.lk/2007/12/28/news15.asp

Airtel to launch $ 200 mn operation in Sri Lanka

Indian Telecom giant Bharti Airtel is looking to establish itself as a major player in the Island nation's mobile telephony space as it prepares to launch its USD 200 million operation here early next year.

Mobile penetration in Sri Lanka is pegged at around 30 per cent, with approximately 2 million mobile users being added each year.

"The Airtel philosophy is to stay beside the consumer and strive to find fresh and innovative ways to add value to their lives", CEO of Airtel Sri Lanka Amali Nanayakkara said in a statement.

Bharti Airtel Lanka Private Limited, a subsidiary of Bharti Airtel Limited, has already announced plans to launch 2G and 3G services in Sri Lanka by the end of the current financial year (2007-08).

Read more,
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Telecom/

Improved Train Services from next year

The Railway Services have substantially grown during the last three quarters of this year when compared with the same period of last year says the general manager of railways, Dr. Lalithasiri Gunaruwan. The general manager revealed this information during a news conference held yesterday.

20 billion rupees has been allocated from the next year budget for the development of railways, and by the utilisation of these funds 15 locomotives and 15 DMUs will be imported by the department next year.

Services at railway stations and the punctuality of train services have improved this year, and the department will address the grievances faced by the railway staff.

Read more,
http://www.slr.sharinfo.net/improved-train-services-from-next-month

Benazir stood up for democracy, says Sri Lanka

Slain former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto "successfully stood up for democracy", the Sri Lankan government has said describing her assassination as "brutal".

A late night official statement Thursday, hours after she was killed, said the "ugly head of terrorism" had raised itself once again in claiming Bhutto's life.

"This brutal assassination underlines the need for an absolute commitment to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations in order to make it unacceptable in civilized society," it said.

In an interview to the BBC's Sinhalese language service, Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said that Sri Lanka would extend support to Pakistan in its efforts to eradicate terrorism.

Former president Chandrika Kumaratunga described Bhutto as a "symbol of democracy and secularism".

"Bhutto was eliminated from the political scene by those who always benefit from war, racism, arms deals, and those who wish to rule by military power," she said.

"May this not happen to anyone else in other countries of the region."

Read more,
http://www.indianmuslims.info/news/2007/dec/27/

Benazir Bhutto dies in suspected suicide attack in Rawalpindi

Former Prime Minister of Pakistan and opposition leader, Benazir Bhutto died this evening in a bomb explosion.

According to reports, Ms. Bhutto was the victim of a suspected suicide attack during a rally of her Pakistan People’s Party.

The attack has left at least 15 people dead, according to police.

Ms. Bhutto had just addressed the rally in the town of Rawalpindi when an explosion occurred at one of the entrance gates to the Liaqat Ali park.

Apparently she had been just 50 m away at the time.

When she returned to the country after many years in exile in October an attack on Ms. Bhutto’s cavalcade took the lives of some 130 people in one of the worse incidents of violence in Pakistan.

News and photo,
http://www.news.lk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4405&Itemid=44

Sri Lankan minister hospitalized after clash at state television

A Sri Lankan minister was hospitalized on Thursday following a clash with the employees of the state television Rupavahini, hospital officials said.

Labor Minister Mervyn Silva was admitted to the Colombo National Hospital after being rescued by the police from the enraged Rupavahini employees, officials of the hospital said.

Silva stormed the television station around 10:00 a.m. local time (0430 GMT) to protest Rupavahini's ignoring of a speech made by him on Wednesday in the southern town of Matara in the presence of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse.

The station's News Director T. M. G. Chandrasekera was assaulted by the minister and his guards, Rupavahini employees charged.

Silva was kept hostage by employees over three hours demanding an apology from the minister.

Read more,
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-12/27/content_7325517.htm
Photo,
http://www.lankaenews.com/Sinhala/files/2147MervinAttacked_2J.jpg

LTTE sneaking into Tamilnadu?

Former Congress Legislature Party leader S R Balasubramoniyan has pressed the alarm button by stating that there is a possibility of LTTE sneaking into Tamilnadu under the guise of refugees.

Speaking to reporters the Congress leader said that with the LTTE losing ground in Lanka and the worsening situation had forced scores of extremists to head towards Tamilnadu as refugees.

‘This would spell doom to the security of our country and hence the State government should take steps to check infiltration,’ he said.

Referring to propaganda that there was no ban on LTTE in Lanka, he said that it is nothing but a ‘mischief’ played by some political parties to scuttle the peace and sovereignty of the nation.

Read more,
http://newstodaynet.com/newsindex.php?id=3530%20&%20section=6

Congress seeks ban on pro-LTTE meetings

Congress on Thursday demanded that the Tamil Nadu government should take stern action against the supporters of outlawed LTTE and ban the meetings held in support of the organisation.

The LTTE continued to be a banned organisation and the supporters of the outfit should be dealt firmly by the government, senior party leader and former Union Minister S R Balasubramaniam told reporters here.

He also wanted the political parties to refrain from supporting the LTTE.

Read more,
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/002200712271541.htm

Sri Lanka tested satellite disaster warning system to be used in India

A digital satellite radio disaster alert system that can be remotely activated which was field tested in Sri Lanka is now ready for use in the region to give early warning of tsunamis, officials said.

The Addressable Radio for Emergency Alert (AREA) system can send disaster alerts within seconds of its transmission by government authorities and also has the advantage of activating a siren.

The system is also expected to be adopted in India, which along with Sri Lanka, was among several countries that suffered from the 2004 tsunami.

The system, which has early-warning emergency messages, audio and visual alarms, was tested in a study conducted by LIRNEasia, a regional policy think tank, and Sarvodaya, a charity, in 32 Sri Lankan coastal villages.

"The product is digital satellite radio – it means there's no ground infrastructure at all," said Rohan Samarajeeva of LIRNEasia.

Read more,
http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/fullstory.php?newsID=

Navy foils LTTE bid to smuggle warlike materials: 11 LTTE boats destroyed - Delft

Eleven LTTE attack boats were destroyed including two suicide craft during a heavy sea battle erupted this morning (December 26), in seas south off Delft, Naval sources say.

According to latest information, Navy fast attack craft triumphed destroying eleven LTTE boats, while unconfirmed sources reveal at least 40 terrorists were killed during the hours long sea confrontation.

Naval task units including fast attack craft engaged decisive strikes at an LTTE boat cluster consisting 16 boats, Naval sources said.

Elite Naval sea units detected a suspicious boat cluster in seas south west off Delft, today at around 7.30a.m. Clashes erupted and turned into a fierce sea battle when Naval task units took initiative to cut off the suspicious boat movement, at 11.30a.m, defence sources say. According to Naval sources, LTTE elements were engaged in a clandestine sea movement smuggling warlike material towards the non-liberated Nachchikudha coast when detected by the Naval patrol units.

Naval fast attack craft responded effectively towards the LTTE cluster with heavy gunfire and evasive battle manoeuvres, forcing terrorist boats to flee further southwards. According to information received, SLAF MI-24 gunships also engaged aerial strikes at the fleeing LTTE boats.

Meanwhile, defence sources said LTTE communication has gone silent since the break-off of fighting in the waters off Delft. Further information said, a dockyard built naval craft was damaged when two suicide LTTE boats exploded in the Naval retaliatory attacks. The damaged boat is now been towed towards the Kankesanthurai harbour, by Naval sea units security sources said.

According to latest reports, slain body of a naval officer was recovered by naval units during search operations conducted. Two naval personnel were also rescued during the salvage operations, sources reveal.

Meanwhile, eleven other naval personnel were reported missing following the confrontation, Naval sources said.

Extracted from,
http://defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20071226_07

SL prez Rajapaksa vows to crush terrorism

Vowing to crush terrorism in Sri Lanka, President Mahinda Rajapaksa today said the Tamil Tiger rebels should be defeated militarily before finding any political solution to the bloody ethnic conflict.

''No political solution is possible without crushing terrorism completely. Our military victories are clearing way for a lasting political solution,'' President Rajapaksa said while speaking at the national event to mark the third anniversary of the tsunami disaster in the Southern Matara district.

''The LTTE would be defeated militaraly and forced to accept a political solution after laying down weapons,'' President Rajapaksa said, minutes after ceremonially opening a Korean-funded bridge that was destroyed by the terror waves three years ago. ''I hope they (LTTE) understand this reality,'' President Rajapaksa, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, said.

Read more,
http://news.oneindia.in/2007/12/26/rajapaksa-vows-to-crush-terrorism-1198663542.html

Sri Lankan military detains Indonesian ship to investigate any links to Tamil rebels

The navy detained an Indonesian-registered ship off the eastern coast of Sri Lanka to investigate any possible ties with separatist Tamil Tiger rebels as fighting across the embattled north killed 15 guerrillas, the military said Wednesday.

The ship was drifting when it was detected about 160 kilometers off the island's eastern coast Tuesday morning and navy troops boarded the ship for an investigation, a defense ministry official said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

The navy is questioning the 12-member Indonesian crew, the official said, adding that it will conduct a full investigation to check if the ship had any links with the Tamil Tigers.

The official said the ship's captain told the navy that his vessel was sailing from the Indian city of Mumbai to Thailand and that the vessel started drifting when it ran out of fuel. The official declined to give further details.

Read more,
http://www.thejakartapost.com/detailgeneral.asp?fileid=20071226150047&irec=7

Terrorism expert names 8 countries suppling weapons to Tamil Tigers

A terrorism expert recently listed eight sources of arms procurement for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

Peter Leitner, president of the Higgins Counterterrorism Research Center and professor at the National Center for Biodefense at George Mason University, said clandestine arms dealers in Tamil Nadu, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Cyprus, Cambodia, Thailand, Burma and Croatia supply explosives, weapons and other supplies to the group.

While most armaments are obtained by forged or adapted end-user certificates, the LTTE arms transport is the “largest quantity of armaments ever transported by a non-state armed group,” Leitner pointed out.

The LTTE has been listed as a terrorist organisation by the United States and the European Union.

Read more,
http://huntoftheseawolves.net/blog/?p=790

54 killed in Sri Lanka, army captures part of Thampane

At least 52 LTTE militants have been killed in gunbattles between security forces and the rebels in Sri Lanka's embattled north, where the army captured a portion of the rebel-held Thampane area.

Elsewhere two civilians also lost their lives in attacks by suspected Tiger rebels, the army said on Tuesday.

"We on Monday night moved in about one km inside Thampane and one of the camps — which was taken control of — could accommodate 300 LTTE militants," a ministry spokesman said.

In two other areas of Thampane, the troops moved in about 300 metres and 500 metres respectively, the spokesman said, adding this was the fourth major success for army during the last few days.

Read more,
http://www.ibnlive.com/news/54-killed-in-sri-lanka-army-capt

Sri Lankan maids to get a pay hike from Jan.

Sri Lankan housemaids in the UAE will have to be paid a minimum salary of Dh825 per month from January 1, 2008.

Officials from the Sri Lankan Consulate in Dubai yesterday told Khaleej Times that the Sri Lankan missions have notified recruiting agents of the revised minimum wages.

The Sri Lankan government has revised the minimum wages of housemaids in the entire Gulf. While Dh825 has been set for the UAE, the wages in other countries in the Middle East have been set according to their respective per capita income.

Sri Lankan Consul-General Wasantha Senanayake said, “We have sent a circular to all the agents this week stating that any new contract drawn for housemaids from January 1 will have a minimum wage of Dh825 vis-a-vis the existing Dh600. All employers will have to pay Sri Lankan housemaids this revised amount.”

This decision comes in the wake of the visit by Sri Lankan Minister of Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare, Dr Keheliya Rambukwella, to Dubai in October, when he told reporters that the government was considering increasing the wages.

Read more,
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/theuae/2007/

Gnanakone rubs shoulders with UNP MPs at party inaugural meeting in LA

Jayantha (Donald) Gnanakone, the controversial Tamil activist, with alleged connections with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rubbing shoulders with Dr. Jayalath Jayewardena, the UNP stalwart at the inaugural Los Angeles meeting of the United National Party became the cynosure of the gathering when Pro-Ranil Wickremesinghe leaders converged on the metropolis for the historical event .

"I may be supporting Mano Ganeshan in Colombo ( a pro-LTTE politician) or anybody else and it's none of the f..... business of anybody or RAW or any one of its agents," he said when asked whether he has joined the UNP. RAW is the Indian intelligence service and currently dreaded by the LTTE since the assassination of the former Indian Prime Minister by a LTTE suicide killer. Formerly RAW funded, armed and trained the LTTE in South Indian military camps when Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister of India.

Jayantha Gnanakone is the brother of the now acquitted alleged participant of the assassination of the former Sri Lankan foreign minister Lakshman Kadirgamar.

At the inauguration of new branch of the UNP in LA delirium reind supreme when two UNP stalwarts mingled with a bother of a well-known LTTE financier cloistered inside the Hyatt Summerfield Hotel in El Segundo on Sunday and sang the praises of Ranil Wickremesinghe to their hearts content.

Read more,
http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20071225_06

LTTE terrorism must be wiped out, says Nepal’s Prachanda

Maoist leader Prachanda has said that all South Asian and Asian countries must help to Sri Lanka to wipe out the LTTE terrorism.

Prachanda conveyed this view during a meeting with Sri Lanka’s visiting Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva.

The meeting, which took place on Sunday at the Maoist office in Katmandu, also focussed on the LTTE’s lack of success in realising its dream of a separate Tamil nation in Sri Lanka.

Prachanda urged LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran to stop his suicide bomb attacks on politicians and members of civil society.

Read more,
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/south-asia/

French journalists arrested in Sri Lanka

At least two French journalists have been arrested in Sri Lanka's south for filming a detention camp without permission, police said Tuesday.

The police at Ratgama, about 104 km south of Colombo said that the two French men belonging to "France 24 TV" were arrested Monday evening for filming the area surrounding the Boossa detention camp.

Police spokesman Jayantha Wickramarathne confirmed the arrest of two French men, but said the authorities are not sure whether they are journalists or not.

"They were arrested by the Army because they didn't get permission to film the area," said Wickramarathne, adding that they are still under custody.

The Boossa camp, just 4 km away from the Ratgama police station, drew attention late November when a large number of Tamil minority were rounded up in Colombo and its suburbs on suspicion of links with the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

Read more,
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-12/25/content_7309608.htm

Bandaranaike says he's exposed to LTTE's assassins

Former Sri Lankan cabinet minister Anura Bandaranaike, who had crossed over to the opposition Dec 14, has complained that the scaling down of his security since his defection is making him easy prey for the Tamil Tiger rebels' assassination squad. The media reported Monday that Bandaranaike had written a strong letter to the Sri Lankan police chief saying that the withdrawal of security had exposed him to "Prabhakaran's assassins".

Bandaranaike, who has been having a running battle with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, quit the treasury benches just ahead of a critical vote on the annual budget Dec 14, when the government's fate was hanging by a thin thread.

Eventually, the government won with a 47-vote majority. And the police promptly scaled down his elaborate security, though Bandaranaike was no ordinary politician.

He is the younger brother of former president Chandrika Kumaratunga, a former speaker of parliament, and a former foreign minister, who had campaigned against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) abroad.

The LTTE led by Velupillai Prabhakaran had tried to assassinate president Kumaratunga in 1999. Hence Bandaranaike's fear that he might be exposed to "Prabhakaran's assassins".

Read more,
http://indiainteracts.com/gossip/2007/12/25/11071/

Lanka asks UNESCO to avoid making comments on internal matters

Sri Lanka has categorically stated that UNESCO should not express its views on the subjects where it neither has the competence nor the mandate.

In a letter to Director General of UNESCO, Koichiro Matsuura, the government said the conflict in Sri Lanka was a complex political issue on which UNESCO should refrain from making comments.

Though UNESCO had made a contribution in inter-sectoral activities in the various domains of the UN aimed at countering terrorism, this did not give a ''carte blanche'' to the Director General to comment on specific situations of the member states, UNI reported here quoting official sources.

The drawing of parity between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the context of a domestic peace process would not fall within UNESCO's contribution to the Counter Terrorism Implementational Task Force.

Read more,
http://www2.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-235/0712242669185559.htm

State should not become a hunting ground for LTTE: Elangovan

Tamil Nadu should not become a hunting ground for terrorist organisations, especially the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, and it should be an oasis of peace. For this, the State Government should be firm in preventing intrusion of LTTE cadres into the State, Union Minister of State for Handlooms and Textiles E.V.K.S.Elangovan said here on Saturday.

Presiding over a Congress party meeting, organised in connection with Sonia Gandhi birthday celebrations , the Minister said if there was any slack in taking action against the LTTE, the worst sufferers would be the innocent people. He wanted the State Government to give a free hand to the police in curbing LTTE activities .

Read more,
http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/24/stories/2007122455020400.htm

Nepal backs MR’s battle against LTTE

Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said that Nepali Premier Girija Prasad Koirala backed President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s decision to retaliate against LTTE terror, during a recent meeting he had with Koirala in Kathmandu.

The Nepalai Premier appreciated the action taken by the Sri Lankan government to neutralize the LTTE threat, he said.

The minister said that the government did not believe in war to settle the ethnic issue, but had no option but to meet the LTTE’s military challenge.

Extracted from,
http://www.island.lk/2007/12/24/news3.html

India discounts Prabhakaran injury in air raid

The Indian government has no credible information that Tamil Tigers chief Velupillai Prabhakaran was injured in a Sri Lanka Air Force raid on his bunker in the last week of November.

Indian security agencies believe that reports that Prabhakaran was injured and that he may seek medical treatment abroad are part of psychological warfare against a beleaguered Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

An informed source dismissed as "ridiculous" a report on Friday in a Sri Lankan newspaper that the supposed air raid on Prabhakaran killed 116 bodyguards of the LTTE chief.

Officials told on condition of anonymity that the Indian security establishment, which keeps a close tab on the Sri Lankan conflict, would have in all probability learnt by now if Prabhakaran had indeed been injured.

"All we can say now is that we have no credible intelligence to believe that Prabhakaran was wounded in any raid," the source said. "While we never rule out anything completely, we find these reports difficult to digest."

Read more,
http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14579596

Labour's Keith Vaz in inquiry over Tamil rally

A senior Labour MP has become embroiled in an investigation by anti-terrorism police after speaking at a rally in which suicide bombers were praised, The Sunday Telegraph has learnt.
# Labour's Keith Vaz is no stranger to trouble

News of the inquiry has put pressure on Keith Vaz, the former Labour minister who heads the all-party home affairs select committee, to defend his decision to speak at last month's rally at London's ExCeL exhibition centre in support of the Sri Lankan breakaway movement, the Tamil Tigers.

Mr Vaz, the MP for Leicester East, whose Commons committee is in charge of scrutinising all anti-terrorism legislation, has been contacted by police investigating the event.

The Sri Lankan high commissioner, Kshenuka Senewiratne, has written to Gordon Brown to express her "serious concerns" at Mr Vaz's presence at the rally.

Read more,
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?view=

SL seeks outsourcing tie ups with Indian IT firms

Sri Lanka has invited Indian ITES and BPO companies to invest in the island nation claiming that the country would provide competitive edge with its large talent pool of trained personnel available at lower costs.

“Indian companies can invest in Sri Lanka to outsource their projects here. We have a large talent pool of trained personnel available at lower costs. Outsourcing of projects here will significantly help Indian companies reduce operational costs as well as offset the effect of rupee appreciation against the dollar, G L Peiris, Sri Lankan Minister for export development and international trade said. He was addressing a conference organised by Ficci in Chennai.

Read more,
http://www.business-standard.com/iceworld

Nano tech now at our doorstep

The Ministry of Science and Technology is ready to launch the nano science project together with industrial private sector early next year, Secretary to the Ministry A.N.R. Amarathunga told the Sunday Observer.

Under the project two institutions, NANCO and SLINTEC will be set up. NANCO will be the holding company that will own the nano park proposed to be established in Homagama. State of the art laboratories will come up in the park to facilitate private sector companies and other research institutions.

Sri Lanka Institute of Nano Technology (SLINTEC), the research institute will be a joint venture with the private sector. Private sector will invest 50% to set up the SLINTEC which will decide on the salaries and other emoluments to the professionals who will join the institution.

Read more,
http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2007/12/23/fin01.asp

Malaysian cricket looks for Lankan coaches

The Malaysian Malay’s cricket academy is currently touring Sri Lanka to participate in the Nelson Mendis Junior Cricket tournament which is non-school club private club event organized by CCC school of cricket. The Malaysian Malay’s cricket Academy team is managed by Rosmanizam Abdullah.

The Sunday Times caught up with Rosmanizam Abdullah for an interview.

We started by asking him about his background he said that he had played club cricket for Kuala Lumpur Club side in the 70’s and 80’s and was the Malaysian cycling federation competition secretary.

Although he said that cricket is playing second fiddle to sports like Badminton and Squash in Malaysia their Malaysian Malay’s cricket association is working hard to see that cricket will get the necessary popularity among the public.

The Malaysian government is trying hard to get their people interested in sports and is doing some programmes to get people involved in sports. Abdullah said School cricket in Malaysia is not all that popular However because Sri Lanka school cricket is one of the best in the world they were planning to go according to Sri Lanka school cricket.

Read more,
http://www.sundaytimes.lk/071223/Sports/sp2013.html

Anura moves his goods out of Visumpaya

Mr. Anura Bandaranaike has begun moving his goods out of Visumpaya to his house at Rosemead Place built some years and is currently living at his ancestral home in Horagolla.

Both Anura and his sister, Chandrika, built their own houses on the original Rosmead Place compound.

`Tintagel', the Colombo residence of the Bandaranaikes, belonging to the three Bandaranaike children, is now a boutique hotel which was opened earlier this month.

Bandsaranaike left for Horagolla after his crossover to the opposition ahead of the Dec. 14 budget vote. He is expected to continue living there until the transfer of his goods is completed.

Read more,
http://www.island.lk/2007/12/23/news1.html

Two suspected LTTE men arrested

Two suspected LTTE operatives from Sri Lanka were taken into custody from a coastal village near here today. Police said they arrested Mahendran alias Thilo (44) and Irudhayaraj alias Kokilan (42), hailing from Kilinochi and Mandaitirappu respectively, when they were moving around in a "suspicious" manner in Irumeni village.

Initial interrogation revealed that the duo had visited several places in Tamil Nadu, including Madurai, Salem and Coimbatore, allegedly shopping for some "sensitive material", police said.

Read more,
http://news.indiainfo.com/2007/12/22/0712220017_ltte.html

Sri Lanka aim to promote cricket in northern areas

Former Sri Lankan legspinner Somachandra de Silva has been appointed cricket advisor to the president of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapakse, to develop and spread the game in the country's war-hit north and north-eastern regions.

The move was part of the president's initiative to try and increase the representation of players of Tamil-speaking origin in the national team.

de Silva, who played 12 Tests for Sri Lanka and captained in two of them, was appointed on the basis of his experience in coaching school teams in Sri Lanka and England.

Rajapakse was keen on tapping into the talent at the school level in these parts, where no first-class cricket is played.

The Sri Lankan side currently has one player of Tamil origin in offspinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who recently broke the world record for most wickets in Tests.

A vast majority of the players hail from the southern and central parts of the country and the same regions regularly host international games.

Read more,
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/22122007/28/sri-lanka-aim-promote-

Sri Lanka: Hybrid coconut variety introduced in N'Eliya district

The Government plans to increase coconut export earnings from Rs. 18 billion to Rs. 50 billion within five years, said Plantations Minister D.M. Jayaratne. Jayaratne was speaking at the launch of the coconut planting campaign in the Nuwara Eliya district which is being undertaken for the first time.

A hybrid coconut variety developed by the Coconut Research Institute to suit the climatic conditions of Nuwara Eliya was planted in Haggala and Victoria Gardens on an experimental basis by Plantations Minister D.M. Jayaratne and Sports and Recreation Minister Gamini Lokuge. China provided necessary coconut genes for this purpose.

CRI officials sought Chinese assistance to develop a coconut variety after inspecting the coconut cultivation in Haina island in China where the temperature is below 5 Celsius. He said the people should actively be involved in the Government's campaign to transfer Sri Lanka into a verdant country.

Read more,
http://www.freshplaza.com/news_detail.asp?id=13404

India to be major player in Sri Lankan oil exploration

India will be a key player in the Sri Lankan oil and gas exploration in the Cauvery Bay of the Gulf of Mannar which is set to begin in March next year.

As many as 18 oil and 11 gas reserves have been identified on the Indian side of Cauvery Bay and exploration will begin in March next year, Media Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa told reporters yesterday.

Experts estimate the sites may contain millions of barrels of crude oil for which both India and China are competing for overseas oil and gas reserves to meet soaring energy demand.

The international arm of the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, OVL Ltd, paid one million dollars to Norwegian seismic survey group - TGS NOPE - a few weeks ago for acquiring data in the Mannar Offshore Basin in Sri Lanka, according to Sri Lankan petroleum ministry officials.

Read more,
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Oil__Gas/India_to_be_major_player_in_S

Sri Lanka vs. Hillary Clinton

Hillary hasn’t managed to wait until taking her part-time husbands old job before creating a major foreign policy incident.

The Ministry of Defence of Sri Lanka is incensed with the Clinton campaign because they are working with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The LTTE are more popularly known as the “Tamil Tigers.”

The LTTE are #24 on the official U.S. State Department list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations.

The Sri Lankan Ministry of Defence has published a statement on their web site outlining their charges against Mrs. Clinton’s campaign: LTTE Heavily Involved In Fund Raising For Hilary Clinton In New Jersey.

The Tamil Tigers no doubt hope to influence U.S. foreign policy in the event that Mrs. Clinton is elected President.

Read more,
http://www.fortliberty.org/blog/sri-lanka-vs-hillary-clinton.html

Political package for solving Tamil problem soon: Rajapaksa

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has said a political package for ending the 25-year-old ethnic conflict in the island nation will be put forward soon even as he warned the LTTE of a ban if it continues with attacks in the country.

"One or two more attacks, then we have no option," he said when asked by reporters if the government will ban the Tamil rebel outfit.

"(We will) have to ban. There is a limit to our patience," he told foreign journalists last night during a Christmas eve get-together at his residence here.

The President said he was awaiting the recommendations of the All Party Representative Committee (APRC), comprising members of various political parties, for making the proposals regarding a solution to the Tamil issue.

"As soon as the APRC recommendations are submitted, I will immediately go ahead with the proposals," Rajapaksa said while refusing to give the exact time period before which the suggestions would be placed by the committee.

"It will be done soon. They are working on it," he said.

Read more,
http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/articles.asp?rep=2&aid=414072&sid

Rajapaksa agrees to make 'province' unit of devolution in Sri Lanka

In a significant move that could help bridge the ethnic divide in Sri Lanka and lead to a lasting political settlement of the Tamil question, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has agreed to make the 'province' the unit of devolution instead of the 'district', as proposed by his own Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) earlier.

'The President has agreed to make the province the unit of devolution,' moderate Tamil leader and government minister K.N.Douglas Devananda told foreign correspondents in an interaction here Thursday night.

The ruling SLFP's proposal to make the 'district' the unit of devolution instead of the 'province' had dismayed the Tamils, including the most moderate, because the community had been struggling for the past 60 years for a federal constitution in which a Tamil speaking northeastern province would enjoy a reasonable degree of autonomy.

Read more,
http://www.indiaenews.com/srilanka/20071221/87390.htm

Lankans in Paris protest over UNESCO DG’s statement

A large number of Sri Lankans in France held a demonstration opposite the UNESCO headquarters in Paris last afternoon to protest against the statement made by UNESCO Director General Koichiro Matsuura condemning the air strike on the LTTE radio station, Voice of Tigers (VoT).

Coordinator of the protest, Manel Gunawardane of the French Committee of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) handed over a letter addressed to Matsuura demanding immediate retraction of his statement.

The letter was accepted by the Deputy Security Chief of UNESCO.

Braving the bitter winter cold winds, many Sri Lankans in Paris - Sinhalese and Tamils -continued the two hour long protest until the employees left the UNESCO headquarters late afternoon.

The “UNESCO DG has no business in interfering in our legitimate right to fight terrorism, Gunawardane said.

Read more,
http://www.dailynews.lk/2007/12/21/news02.asp

LTTE chief Prabhakaran should be killed: Devananda

Sri Lankan Minister and Tamil politician Douglas Devananda has advocated the killing of LTTE chief V Prabhakaran saying a political solution to the 25- year-old ethnic conflict was not possible till he is alive.

"Till Prabahakaran is alive, the LTTE will not agree to a political solution. He should be killed. Devananda, leader of the Eelam People's Democratic Front, told foreign journalists here.

"He wants piece (of Sri Lankan territory) and not peace. Ninety per cent of the people in Wanni (rebel-held) area hate him," he said.

The Social Services and Social Welfare minister said another option to bring around the LTTE was to initiate the peace process and compel them to join in for the fear of being left out.

"President Mahinda Rajapaksa has agreed to initiate the political process for resolving the conflict soon and talks will be initiated in this regard," he said, adding moves are afoot to revive the provincial council by fully implementing the 13th amendment.

Read more,
http://www.ptinews.com/pti%5Cptisite.nsf/0/FE184BE3E8781B55652573B

LTTE trying to smuggle out injured Prabhakaran: Report

The LTTE is trying to sneak its leader Velupillai Prabhakaran out of Sri Lanka for treatment abroad following severe injuries he is said to have sustained in an air raid last month, a government-owned newspaper claimed on Friday.

The Daily News also claimed that 116 of the 200 guards protecting the LTTE Supremo had died in the recent attack by the Sri Lankan Air Force, in which Prabhakaran was said to have been injured.

The LTTE, which has denied reports of injury to Prabhakaran, could not be contacted for its comments on the latest Daily News claim.

A senior Defence Ministry official said that since intelligence reports have "confirmed" that Prabhakaran sustained injuries on November 26, there could be an attempt by the Tiger leader to go to India for treatment if the medical facilities in Killinocchi or Mullaithivu were not sufficient to treat him.

Read more,
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/Rest_of_World/LTTE_trying_to_smuggle_out_

Lanka confirms LTTE chief hurt

The Sri Lankan government has confirmed a media report that Tamil Tiger chief Velupillai Prabhakaran was injured in an air raid late last month.

The Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) website said that Prabhakaran was injured when the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) hit the bunker complex at Jayanthinagar in Kilinochchi at 5.25 pm in the last week of November.

The government said the SLAF had specifically targeted Prabhakaran on the basis of intelligence that he would be at the Jayanthinagar complex, which he visited frequently.

On why the event was not publicised, the government said that although the air force believed the Tiger chief had been hit it could not be confirmed by ground intelligence.

Read more,
http://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper.aspx?

India, Lanka to co-produce Sinhala film

In a bid to boost ties further between the two countries, National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka has entered into an agreement with India's Gemini Film Corporation to co-produce a Sinhala film, Sanda Diya Salu .

"This is a historic occasion and Sri Lanka would immensely benefit from the move as it creates a platform to gain from India's expertise in the film industry," Minister of Cultural Affairs Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said at the inauguration ceremony on Thursday.

The film to be directed by Channa Perera will be dubbed in Tamil and Telugu.

Read more,
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Media__Entertainment_/

British press hammers 'spineless' England

After a dismal performance at the crease in Galle overnight, Sri Lanka, England's cricketers will not want to eye the British newspapers.

England was bowled out for just 81 in the final match in the three-Test series.

Described as "pathetic" and "spineless", England were blasted in Friday morning's editions with one commentator writing that "as someone once famously put it, England had only three problems: they could not bat, bowl or field".

Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene hit an unbeaten 213 and Chaminda Vaas ripped through the top order to leave England, trailing 0-1 in the series, in tatters after the rain-hit third day.

Left-armer Vaas followed his 90 in Sri Lanka's 8 for 499 (declared) with four wickets as England collapsed in just 30.5 overs and were forced to follow-on 418 runs behind.

England's total fell well below their previous innings low against Sri Lanka of 148 in Colombo on the previous tour in 2003.

Read more,
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/12/21/

Significant number of urban Tamils back Rajapksa's policy: Poll

Contrary to popular beliefs, a significant segment of Tamilians living in urban Sri Lanka has endorsed President Mahinda Rajapaksa's policy to deal with LTTE and maintain law and order, according to an opinion poll.

Twenty-one per cent of the non-upcountry Tamils and 42 per cent of the Muslim community, the main minority ethnic groups, are satisfied with the law and order situation in the island country, the opinion poll by the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA), an autonomous body, reveals.

Around 49.8 per cent Muslims and 20 per cent non-upcountry Tamils are also pleased with the way the government is fighting the battle against terror, it says.

The survey shows that the overwhelming majority of the Sri Lankan people are satisfied with the way the President is conducting the war.

Read more,
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200712181862.htm

LTTE denies Prabhakaran was injured in air raid

Sri Lanka's LTTE on Monday denied reports that its leader V Prabhakaran sustained injuries during an air raid in rebel held areas of Kilinochchi last month.

"It is a lie. Nothing of that sort happened," an LTTE spokesman said, reacting to a newspaper report which said the rebel leader sustained minor injuries during a raid by Sri Lankan Air Force planes on November 28.

When asked if Prabhakaran was in good health, the spokesperson said "Yes".

The Nation Newspaper reported on Sunday that Prabhakaran was treated for minor injuries sustained during the air raid.

"Although the nature of the injuries is minor, he had been treated in an underground facility in a secret location in the Wanni by the LTTE's Thileepan Medical Unit, the official emergency care unit of the LTTE," the report said quoting sources.

Read more,
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/Rest_of_World/

Sri Lanka to have joint air exercises with India: Newspaper

Sri Lanka will take part in joint air exercises with India to gear up for the challenge from the LTTE's air force, a newspaper said here today quoting informed sources.

'Daily Mirror' said the issue came up during talks between Sri Lankan Defence Ministry officials and the Indian defence delegation which visited the country earlier this week.

When contacted, a senior official said no decision has been taken on the issue so far

Extracted from,
http://www.ptinews.com/pti%5Cptis

Tamilnet.com unblocked

Pro LTTE web site http://www.tamilnet.com which has been blocked by all major Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Sri Lanka since June 2007, is now once again freely accessible.

Users from Sri Lanka who were trying to view the site on the 17th of June were presented with server timeouts. It was initially suspected that the error was a technical fault with Tamilnet's hosting provider. However,later it was evident that Tamilnet was blocked on government orders. It is doubtful whether the ban had any effect as majority of the users seemed to have found a workaround to in the form of 3rd party proxy servers.

Tamilnet, which has been online since 1997, acts as a major propaganda machine of the the Tamil Tigers. Earlier, it was hosted in Norway but the site has now moved to the United Kingdom. UK based ISP "Rackspace Managed Hosting" acts as its current hosting provider.

Extracted from,
http://defencenet.blogspot.com/2007/12/tamilnetcom-unblocked.html

LTTE explodes a claymore mine targeting a train carrying hundreds of civilians - Kantale

LTTE terrorists triggered off a road side claymore mine targeting the night mail train which carrying hundreds of civilians in Kantale around 8.45 p.m today (December 18).

According to the available information explosion hit the engine of the train which was plying from Trincomalee to Colombo defence sources said .

Extracted from,
http://defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20071218_11

Karunanidhi directly supporting LTTE: Jaya

Accusing Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi of directly supporting the LTTE, AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa on Tuesday asked the Centre to take stern action against him for having ''facilitated the release of an LTTE supporter'' on bail.

Her charge comes at a time when Karunanidhi is visiting New Delhi to take part in the Chief Ministers Conference on Internal Security on December 20.

''On a tip-off from central agencies, one Vanniyarasu, belonging to ruling DMK's ally Viduthalai Chiruthaigal (VC), was arrested by police for allegedly supplying boats to the banned outfit,'' she said in a statement.

Within few hours of the news got spread, VC Chief Thol Tirumavalavan called on Karunanidhi and Vanniyarasu was released on bail on the same day, she claimed.

Read more,
http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=

Nearly 30,000 marooned in eastern Sri Lanka floods

Nearly 30,000 people in eastern Sri Lanka have been displaced by floods caused by incessant rains over the weekend, disaster relief officials said here Monday.

Most affected were people from the Ampara district where 22,339 people from 5,824 families were displaced, officials said.

In the Batticoloa district, about 1,500 families have been relocated to schools due to flooding, officials said, adding that most of them are those living in camps after being displaced by the conflict between government troops and Tamil Tiger rebels.

Some of the main motorways in the east are impassable while some paddy fields have gone under water, said the police.

Extracted from,
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-12/18/content_7269657.htm

Government expresses concern on UNICEF Rep's visit to Kilinochchi

Philippe Duamelle, the Country Representative of the United Nation's Children's Fund (UNICEF) was called in to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday to express concern over his recent visit to Kilinochchi and his meeting with LTTE leaders.

Foreign Secretary Dr. Palitha Kohona emphasised that the UNICEF had not followed the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs when diplomats and high ranking officials sought to visit the uncleared areas in the Northern Province.

These guidelines which have been issued to ensure the safety and security of the visiting officials, require them to obtain prior clearance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Foreign Secretary conveyed to the UNICEF Country Representative that non-compliance with these guidelines was unacceptable given the propensity of the LTTE to exploit such visits for propaganda purposes.

Duamelle who assumed duties as the Country Representative of UNICEF in Sri Lanka in September this year, stated that, unfortunately, he was not familiar with the Foreign Ministry's guidelines. But he said he had consulted the Ministry of Defence.

Read more,
http://www.dailynews.lk/2007/12/18/news03.asp

LTTE warned of possible ban by Prez

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse has said a political package for ending the 25-year-old ethnic conflict in the island nation will be put forward soon even as he warned the LTTE of a ban if it continues with attacks in the country.

''One or two more attacks, then we have no option,'' he said when asked by reporters if the government will ban the Tamil rebel outfit.

''(We will) have to ban. There is a limit to our patience,'' he told foreign journalists last night during a Christmas eve get-together at his residence here.

The President said he was awaiting the recommendations of the All Party Representative Committee (APRC), comprising members of various political parties, for making the proposals regarding a solution to the Tamil issue.

Read more,
http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id

Bank of Ceylon to expand India operations

Sri Lanka's largest bank the Bank of Ceylon (BoC) is planning to expand its India operations to attract more foreign investment to the country.

"The Bank of Ceylon is to diversify its operations in India and the UK to attract more foreign investment, especially for the capital markets in Sri Lanka," BoC Chairman Gamini Wickremasinghe has said.

Outlining new strategies of the bank Wickremasinghe said it will introduce new products and financial instruments for South Indian customers through its Chennai branch after fulfilling the conditions required by Indian authorities.

Read more,
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News_by_Industry/

Dilshan Recalled For Final Test Against England

All-rounder Tillakaratne Dilshan has been recalled to the Sri Lanka squad as they prepare for the third and final Test against England in Galle.

The 31-year-old was dropped in favour of Jehan Mubarak for the tour of Australia but he now returns with Mubarak missing out after disappointing in the first two Tests.

Dilshan is a veteran of 42 Tests and will boost a squad looking to consolidate a 1-0 series lead as Galle readies itself for its return to international cricket after being devastated by the tsunami of 2004.

Read more,
http://www.cricketworld.com/england_in_sri_lanka_2007/article/?aid=14159

Government wins Budget 2008 by majority of 47

The budget vote which generated much tension finally turned out to be an anti-climax with the Government securing a comfortable majority of 47.

The voting commenced today around 5.00p.m by name for and against the budget. There were 114 votes for the Budget and 67 against it. The JVP abstained from voting.

The UNP (Democratic Group), Jathika Hela Urumaya, Upcountry People's Front, Mahajana Eksath Peramuna and the Ceylon Workers' Congress voted for the budget while the UNP (Ranil Group), Tamil National Alliance and the Western Province People's Front voted against it.

Earlier in the day, veteran politician Anura Bandaranaike crossed over to the opposition benches.

Subsequent to the vote, Minister D.M. Jayaratne said that the Government will defeat terrorism and develop the country:

"Today we have emerged victorious on the 2008 budget and we will not hesitate to defeat terrorism and to carry forward our development programme," Mr.Jayarathne told www.news.lk.

Although SLMC’s Rauff Hakeem stirred up controversy with his crossover on Wednesday, with the UNP claiming that others in the Government will break ranks at today's vote, the Government mustered a comfortable 114 votes, sufficient to secure a majority even if the JVP had voted against the budget.

Wijedasa Rajapaksa, who crossed over to the opposition but abstained from voting at the second reading, opted to do the same today as well.

Wimal Weerawansa, Propaganda Secretary of the JVP, addressing parliament said that his party was not ready to be anyone's catspaw and makes decisions in the best interest of the country and the people.

Meanwhile Chief Government Whip, Jeyaraj Fernandopulle told www.news.lk that it was the LTTE and no one else that was behind moves to defeat the budget. "It was obviously an attempt to reverse the victories achieved by the security forces in the Eastern Province,

Extracted from,
http://news.lk/index.php?option=com

LTTE event: Tamil stars face music

A bevy of South Indian film personalities might be heading for controversy after their names were included in a fund-raiser in London that Sri Lankan reports allege is in aid of Tamil Tigers. An article carried by the Sri Lankan Defence Ministry website has alleged that the organiser of the event, White Pigeon, is an LTTE front organization.

In an interview earlier this year to the Washington Post Radio, the Sri Lankan Ambassador in Washington had alleged that White Pigeon was another avatar of a psuedo Tamil charity called Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO), which has since been closed.

The article also points out that White Pigeon's founder and present chairman is Dr N Sathiyamoorthy, who was chairman of TRO at the time Charity Commission's regulatory arm ordered its closure. White Pigeon, however, describes itself as a charity focusing on landmine victims in Tamil-dominated north and east Sri Lanka.

The event is scheduled to take place at Alexandra Palace in London in January. The star line-up, going by the advance publicity to the event, includes Sathyaraj, Sibi Sathyaraj, Bhavana, national-award winning singer Chitra, Jeeva, Madhumita and singer Karthick.

Read more,
http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IE920071213215702&Page=9&Headline=%91

Budget Vote, Patriotism, Lal Kanthas & Wimal Weerawanshas

The second budget vote will be taken on the 14th December. Some predicts it will be the doomsday for the Government. And Mr. Lal Kantha of the JVP had been reported by the media to have given assurance to his audience that the Government will be stopped for good.

Lal Kantha and the likes in the JVP could not have chosen a better time to act the goat and be vociferous in uniting with the opportunistic, anti-national forces to defeat the Government, citing bogus economic negatives of the budget and “Shylock type” worker union demands on which their sole survival is totally dependant.

The battle against the brutal LTTE terrorism has reached new heights. The SL armed forces are being deftly lead by veteran leaders in the battlefront and, like never before in the 25-year-old LTTE menace, the present Government has given the thorough political backing to the army to plan and destroy Velupillai Pirapaharan’s psychopathic Eelam dream.

Pirapaharan is left with no option than to shut all his masquerades on surface and go subterranean in the Wanni jungles pleading with the international community. He is looking towards the heaven for some solace to save his pathetic head.

Read more,
http://www.lankaweb.com/news/items07/131207-6.html

Expressed the Govt’s Deep Concern on H.C. Chilcott‘s Comment.

“The British High Commissioner, Mr. Dominic Chilcott, was summoned this morning (12/13) to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to express the deep displeasure of the Government of Sri Lanka at some of the comments made by him at a recent public gathering”, according to latest press statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sri Lanka.

According to the statement “,at this morning’s meeting, Foreign Secretary Dr. Palitha Kohona drew attention to the High Commissioner’s comment, “I am not saying that the political aspiration for Eelam is illegitimate” and expressed the Government’s deep concern. He stated that this statement was unacceptable to the Government of Sri Lanka given the British government’s categorical rejection of the creation of a separate State in Sri Lanka.

Additionally, at a time when the painstaking process of evolving a negotiated political settlement was underway, such sentiments would have a negative impact and send confusing signals. He also expressed disappointment that such statement was made at a particularly politically sensitive time in the country.”

Read more,
http://lankaguardian.blogspot.com/2007/12/expressed-governments-

Mr. Chilcott, From Which Side of Your Mouth Did You Speak at the Dudley Senanayake Memorial Lecture?

British Representative in Sri Lanka Mr. Dominic Chilcott ironically blames everything that is wrong with the world on the 1648 treaty of Westphalia which created the idea that no country has the right to interfere in another country’s problems. Poppy cock!

You are fully aware Mr. Chilcott that since 1648 the British behaved as if everything in the world were up for grabs. It was theirs for the asking.

Now you complain that “the conflict in Sri Lanka makes waves in the UK and as the conflict worsens, we get more asylum seekers from Sri Lanka. It becomes more difficult to manage the movement of people between our countries. More Sri Lankans try to get into the UK illegally. The numbers of those overstaying their visa also increases.”

Mr.Chilcott have you ever considered how many innocent Indians were massacred by the British troops during Gandhi’s struggle for independence from England. Were any British politicians ever tried for war crimes? How many innocent people were displaced and subject to degradation as hapless estate labor during the time when your forefathers invaded Sri Lanka? Did you pay any compensation to the poor unsuspecting victims?

Read more,
http://www.asiantribune.com/index.php?q=node/8696

North Korea may have aided Hezbollah, LTTE - U.S. report

North Korea may have given arms to Lebanon's Hezbollah and Sri Lanka's Tamil Tigers, according to a report compiled for Congress that could complicate U.S. plans to drop Pyongyang from its terrorism blacklist.

The report obtained on Wednesday by Reuters was written by the Congressional Research Service (CRS), which provides independent analysis to Congress, and cited "reputable sources" as saying Pyongyang had given arms and possibly training to the militant groups, which Washington regards as "terrorist" organizations.

As part of a deal to get Pyongyang to give up its pursuit of nuclear weapons, Washington has dangled the possibility of removing North Korea from its list of state sponsors of terrorism if it fully discloses its nuclear programs.

Read more,
http://in.reuters.com/article/topNews/idINIndia-30964520071213

MK supporting LTTE: Jaya

AIADMK general secretary J Jayalalithaa on Wednesday said Chief Minister M Karunanidhi was lending 'open support to the banned LTTE'.

In a statement in Chennai, the AIADMK leader urged the Centre to take note and initiate stern action. ‘The whole country was shocked by the recently held LTTE operatives in Chennai. When I said that LTTE had close links with local politicians here, I was only blamed.’

Stating that law and order situation was in control and extremist elements were crushed when she was in power, Jayalalithaa said the prevailing situation could have happened only with the counsel or blessings of Karunanidhi.

Extracted from,
http://www.chennaivision.com/enews/2007/Dec/13/MK-supporting-LTTE-Jaya.asp

LTTE men held for smuggling GPS units

Reports of the banned Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) getting help in India were validated on Saturday when the ‘Q’ branch of Tamil Nadu Police arrested two Sri Lanka-based LTTE operatives and their Indian supporter in Chennai.

The LTTE men had smuggled communication equipment to Tiger-held areas by a boat from the Tamil Nadu coast and were making arrangements to take away another boat they had purchased.

On a tip-off, police arrested Lankans James Raja (46) and Gaurishankar Jayakumar (34) and Indian Ravi Kumar (45) when they had gone to the Chennai airport to check the status of James’ air ticket. Police seized Rs4,78,290 in Indian currency, Rs4,140 in Lankan and four mobile phones from the trio.

Read more,
http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1138324

Sri Lanka gov't denies involvement in abductions

The Sri Lankan government on Wednesday denied any involvement in an alleged abduction of three people connected to Tamil minority legislators in the Eastern Province.

Chief Government Whip and Minister of Highways Jeyaraj Fernandopulle told parliament that it was unfair on the part of the opposition to accuse the government of being behind the abductions.

Suresh Premachandran, a legislator for the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), told parliament that three people closely related to three TNA legislators had been abducted by an armed group in the eastern Batticaloa district on Tuesday night.

The three legislators have been warned that they should not vote against the government of President Mahinda Rajapakse in Friday's third reading of the 2008 budget if they wanted to see those abducted return alive.

Premachandran and other opposition speakers urged Speaker W. J. M. Lokubandara to investigate into the incident.

Read more,
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-12/12/content_7236117.htm

Indian war games in view of LTTE air threat

The Indian Air Force (IAF) recently staged war games in South India to test this country’s capabilities to protect its "high value" assets like oil tankers, nuclear installations and ports against aerial attacks by "non-state actors" in the region like the so-called Tamileelam Air Force (TAF).

This is the first military exercise in southern India after the TAF---the fledgling air force of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)---had carried out daring aerial strikes on Sri Lankan Air Force’s air base adjoining Katunayake International Airport outside Colombo in March this year.

Codenamed "Dakshin Prahar," the week-long war games practiced scenarios to protect India’s commercial targets in southern India against similar attacks.

Read more,
http://www.island.lk/2007/12/13/news2.html

Ranatunga set to head Sri Lanka Cricket

Sri Lanka's World Cup winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga is tipped to head the country's cricket administration, government sources told AFP on Thursday.

Ranatunga, 44, who is a ruling party legislator, could take over as early as Friday when parliament meets for a crucial vote on President Mahinda Rajapakse's budget for 2008.

Ranatunga was regarded as one of the disgruntled legislators who wanted to oppose the budget at the first vote on November 19, but was persuaded by his father, a senior member of the ruling party, to vote in favour of it.

A top sports ministry official confirmed the move to appoint Ranatunga as the country's cricket chief was being discussed.

Read more,
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5h2URdkG52ls2deA-NftKpEjADDnw

Indian Army rules out specific threat from LTTE

The Indian Army Friday ruled out any specific threat from outlawed Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) but said that the security forces have beefed up vigl to prevent infiltration of the rebels in the countrys Southern states from neighbouring Sri Lanka.

"While the Indian Navy and Coast Guard are engaged in patrolling of the countrys Southern coast, the Army has also strengthened off-coast patrolling, " Lt Gen Noble Thamburaj, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command of the Indian Army, told reporters today in the Southern Indian state of Chennai, news agency Press Trust of India reported.

Gen Thamburaj, however, said there was no specific threat from the LTTE. "Following the recent offensive by the Sri Lankan army, the influx of refugees to Southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu has increased which is being monitored round-the-clock," he said.

Read more,
http://www.khabrein.info/index.php?option=com_content&

TN fast becoming haven of LTTE: Jayalalithaa

AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa on Wednesday alleged that Tamil Nadu was fast becoming a haven of the banned LTTE and asked the Centre to take stern action in the interest of the nation's security.

She said the recent arrest of LTTE cadres and their associates had vindicated her charge that terrorists had infiltrated Tamil Nadu and the law and order situation had deteriorated.

The confessions made by the arrested cadre that they were hiding in Tamil Nadu and secretly carrying out their works had shocked the entire country, she said in a statement here.

Jayalalithaa said a Sea Tiger, naval wing of the LTTE, had also confessed that 'Viduthalai Chiruthaigal' (a dalit outfit) leader Vanniyarasu was functioning as an LTTE agent and was indirectly aiding the outfit.

"I was labelled anti-Tamil when I revealed that there was a nexus between the LTTE and some political leaders in the state," she said in a statement here.

Read more,
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/401200712121821.htm

Japanese peace envoy arrives in Sri Lanka

Japan's special peace envoy Yasushi Akashi has arrived in Sri Lanka among escalating violence in the island country, diplomatic sources said Wednesday.

Akashi arrived at the Colombo International Airport at around 10:50 p.m. local time (1720 GMT) on Tuesday, officials added.

He is to visit Sri Lanka's northern town of Jaffna on Thursday to attend a two-day inter-religious summit and make a special address.

The two-day event is aimed at finding ways to settle Sri Lanka's increasingly violent conflict through peaceful means, officials said.

Akashi, a former U.N. Under-Secretary General was appointed by the Japanese government in October 2002 to underwrite Sri Lanka's Norwegian backed peace process between the government and the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

Read more,
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-12/12/content_7234887.htm

Pakistan to Push Ahead with Defence Co-operation

Announcing a fresh US$ 31 million package of military assistance to Sri Lanka, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Inamul Haq said in Islamabad yesterday that his country would push ahead with defense cooperation to Sri Lanka, notwithstanding objections from India, though not made formally, or concerns expressed privately.

"We will continue to assist Sri Lanka to fight LTTE terrorism despite India's "unofficial objections" or "private concerns" because no third country has a right to place limitations on an independent and sovereign nation", he told the visiting seven-member Sri Lankan Media delegation which called on him in the Pakistani capital yesterday morning.

He said that the Pakistani government earlier provided a US$ 50 million defense package to Sri Lanka and will continue to help the island nation to crush terrorism. "No third country can object to this because both Sri Lanka and Pakistan are independent countries battling the scourge of terrorism"

Read more,
http://www.army.lk/morenewsfet.php?id=3109

Muslim congress is now with the opposition

Leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Rauf Hakeem and another three SLMC MPs resigned from their ministerial portfolios and crossed over to the opposition benches in parliament today.

The three MPs were Hassan Ali, Bazeer Segudawood and Faizer Cassim. Meanwhile, the government says it still has the support of a majority of SLMC MPs.

Ten members of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress were elected to parliament at the last general elections held on April 2004, and of them only four MPs remained with the SLMC and those four MPs including its leader Rauff Hakeem crossed over to opposition today.

Read more,
http://www.asiantribune.com/index.php?q=node/8693

Govt does not approve attack on undergrads - Jeyaraj

Chief Government Whip Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle yesterday told Parliament that the Government does not approve the assault on university students who participated in a demonstration in Colombo on Monday.

The Minister responding to a statement by JVP MP Wimal Weerawansa said: "As Ministers we will never approve this incident which had taken place on International Human Rights Day. This is a move taken by police."

Following a request by the Minister, the JVP agreed to conduct a discussion on the Sabaragamuwa University issue at the Parliament complex last afternoon. Weerawansa making a special statement in Parliament said when International Human Rights Day was celebrated on December 10, police assaulted and arrested 10 university students participating in a demonstration in Colombo the same day.

The students had conducted this demonstration regarding a crisis in the Sabaragamuwa University.

Read more,
http://www.dailynews.lk/2007/12/12/pol01.asp

Detonators from Kerala finding way into Sri Lanka?

Police probing the recovery of a large quantity of detonators at a bus stand in Thrissur suspect that the explosives were to be smuggled into Sri Lanka.

A gunny bag containing 10,000 detonators, placed in 100 boxes, was found at a bus stand on September 6. Two people were arrested in connection with the incident soon after.

It was the investigation into the dealings of Najeeb, one of those arrested, that helped police in unravelling the Sri Lankan connection. Kerala police conducted the probe along with the Tamil Nadu police.

"Najeeb used to take the detonators to Meenakshipuram in Tamil Nadu and hand it over to a person called Biji. From the description we got from Najeeb, we presume that this person, a Sri Lankan refugee, is a notorious criminal who has many criminal charges against him," Circle Inspector T.C. Venugopal of Thrissur East police station said Monday. Thrissur is 70 km north of Kochi.

Read more,
http://www.hindustantimes.com/storypage/storypage.aspx

Weli-Oya : Next front in Wanni battle

Several small attack teams of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) moved ahead of their defense lines in Weli-Oya (referred to as Manal-Aru by the tigers) to conduct a pre emptive strike on LTTE positions on the FDL, yesterday (11th) noon.

This limited operation was aimed at dismantling LTTE defenses in Kokkuthiduwai region. At least 9 LTTE cadres have been killed during the operation and 4 SLA soldiers too have been wounded.

As capturing land was not an objective of this operation, all SLA units have returned to their original positions. Spearheading the assaults in Weli Oya sector are soldiers of the 59th division. Newly raised 59th division is an offensive formation modeled after the 57th division and elite 53rd division.

Read more,
http://defencenet.blogspot.com/2007/12/weli-oya-

Lanka seeks access to top LTTE agent in Indian custody

Although India has overlooked previous requests for access to LTTE operatives in her custody on, what a senior official called, domestic political reasons, Sri Lanka is confident that a chance to question Jayakumar (34) alias Gowrishankar, a senior Sea Tiger in Indian custody wouldn't be denied.

Jayakumar, believed to be one of the highest ranking LTTE operatives arrested in India after the Norwegian-arranged CFA came into operation in February, 2002, is widely believed to be a central figure in the LTTE arms procurement ring. Under interrogation, he has revealed the financial support received from the UK based LTTE organisations in support of the operations in Sri Lanka.

A resident of Valvettiturai, Jayakumar is believed to have joined Sea Tigers in 1995 and has some close relatives living at Thanjavur.

India didn't allow SLN to question three LTTE operatives arrested along with two Indians on February 13, this year and six others, believed to be a special squad deployed for arms smuggling operations arrested by her Coast Guard on April 11. Although India signalled that it could arrange two Sri Lankan intelligence personnel to meet investigators who interrogated the suspects, it never materialised.

Read more,
http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20071211_01

Hindraf lodges complaint against PM over LTTE remarks

The Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), a Malaysian rights outfit, has lodged a police complaint against Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi after allegations linking the group with Sri Lanka's Liberation Tigers for Tamil Eeelam (LTTE).

Hindraf's senior leader and legal advisor P Uthayakumar asserted that the outfit had 'zero links' with the LTTE or any other terrorist group.

'We do not support violence. We are a non-violent group,' Uthayakumar was quoted as saying in The Star newspaper Sunday.

Uthayakumar, who lodged the report at the Jalan Travers police station Saturday, also named Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail, minister in the prime minister's office Mohamed Nazri Aziz, and Inspector General of Police Musa Hassan in the complaint.

The Hindraf's response came amidst reports that the government could invoke the stringent International Security Act (ISA) against top Hindraf leaders who organized a protest rally on Nov 25 to voice their grievances, claming to speak for the two million-plus, predominantly Tamil Hindu population of immigrants from India.

Read more,
http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/articles.asp?rep=2&aid=4

Govt will win Budget vote with ease - Minister Maithripala Sirisena

The Government will pass the budget with a majority of votes at its Third Reading despite Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe's attempts to weaken the Government in Parliament, SLFP General Secretary Minister Maithripala Sirisena said.

Minister Sirisena said that Opposition Leader Wickremesinghe had failed every step of the way to topple the Government. "Wickremesinghe is misleading the public in his campaign to topple the Government," he added.

Minister Sirisena pointing to the Opposition Leader's campaign against the Government and President Mahinda Rajapaksa, said Wickremesinghe should learn how to speak in public and act as a responsible leader.

"Wickremesinghe in his new campaign has inserted an advertisement saying that the youth should be given wings to fly and the Government had not granted enough opportunities to the youth."

Read more,
http://www.mulpituwa.com/?viewnews=10027

Sri Lankan media delegation visits PU

Pakistan has made remarkable progress in media, especially in electronic media, during the last three years and Sri Lankan media wanted to establish bilateral relationship with Pakistani media to promote academic and professional activities in both countries.

Prabaghan Ratnasabapathy, head of a media delegation from Sri Lanka said this when the delegation visited Punjab University Institute of Communication studies (ICS) on Monday.

He also stressed the need to boost cooperation between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the field of media.

Talking on the occasion, ICS Director Dr Mughees said," The institute is ready to offer its services to Sir Lankan journalists in the field of development journalism." He said the institute would soon start construction of its third building with a cost of Rs 90 million.

Read more,
http://thepost.com.pk/CityNews.aspx?dtlid=133469&catid=3

“Tamilchelvan killed by Prabhakaran”, Indian Congressman Confirms

Tamil Nadu Congress functionary SR Balasubramanian says, “According to the information I have, it was LTTE chief Prabhakaran who was responsible for the elimination of Tamilchelvan.” Tamilchelvan had led bilateral and multilateral peace talks that successive Sri Lanka governments have held with LTTE in 1985, 1987, 1989/90, 1994, 2002 and 2006. The talks, facilitated by Thailand, Germany and Japan and coordinated by Norway, can fructify anytime.

“India should keep this in mind that it is only the Tamil-speaking people in Sri Lanka who can be truly friendly with neighbouring India,” said MK Sivajilingam on November 29, urging New Delhi to play an active role in solving the ongoing ethnic crisis in Sri Lanka.

Going by the fact that India’s ‘buffer’ countries to the North, West and East (and South) are none too friendly with New Delhi, this is a perspective worth looking into. But tragically, there are indications that the IFS (Indian Foreign Service) babus are not yet ready to come out a time warp.

Read more,
http://lankaguardian.blogspot.com/2007/12/

Lanka to finalise devolution package before Manmohan's visit

Pressed by India, Sri Lanka is likely to finalise a "power devolution" package to end the 25-year-old ethnic conflict before the planned visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to the island nation in February, a media report said here on Sunday.

"President Mahinda Rajapaksa is likely to announce the full implementation of the provisions on the 13th Amendment to the Constitution shortly," the 'Nation' Newspaper said in its front page story.

The 13th amendment to the Sri Lankan constitution gave effect to the devolution provisions of the controversial Indo-Lanka Accord, signed in July 1987.

Highly placed sources told The Nation that the President is poised to do this before the scheduled visit of Singh to Sri Lanka as the chief guest on the country's 60th anniversary celebrations on February 4 next year.An invitation has already been extended to the Indian Prime Minister in this connection.

Read more,
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200712091657.htm

Sri Lankan pineapple promotional drive in Karachi

The Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Karachi organised a Sri Lankan pineapple promotional campaign in the super markets 'Park Towers' and the 'Forum' here on November 23rd and 24th, respectively. The objectives of this promotional campaign included an increase in pineapple imports from Sir Lanka by the current importers.

(a) To make awareness of Sri Lankan pineapp1e among the Pakistani people.

(b) To show the correct way/art of cutting the pineapple.

(c) To taste the fresh pineapple by the general public.

(d) To increase consumption of pineapple.

(e) To give wider publicity by the media on the promotional event.

(f) To encourage potential pineapple importers and agents to import of pineapple from Sri Lanka.

The Pineapple Show in Park Towers was inaugurated by Mr Majyd Aziz, former resident of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and the founder Chairman of Pakistan-Sri Lanka Business Forum. The event in the Forum was inaugurated by Hon. Sujat Ali Baig, Minister of Education and Literacy of Sindh Province of Pakistan.

Read more,
http://www.pakissan.com/english/news/newsDetail.php?newsid=15778

Sri Lanka Navy commemorates its 57th anniversary today

Sri Lanka Navy, which emerged victorious in the last year as never before in the battle against the terrorism, commemorates its 57th anniversary today, heralding its past achievements and progress, giving more weigh up to the religious rituals of all the faiths, in order to invoke blessings to those who made the supreme sacrifice; and those who sacrificed their limbs and liberty in the battle for the sake of the nation and for the honour of the navy.

The customary naval parades and inspection of the parades by the senior most officers present is of no change this time as well followed by all ranks and rates dinner traditionally known as Barakana.

Read more,
http://www.navy.lk/index.php?id=580

MPs in row over pro-LTTE rally

The Sri Lankan High Commission here has strongly protested over the presence of three Labour MPs, including Keith Vaz , the high-profile Asian MP from Leicester, and Virendra Sharma from Ealing Southall, at a rally in support of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) although the organisation is banned under Britain’s terror laws.

Joan Ryan, the third Labour MP present at the event, is ironically an outspoken supporter of the government’s controversial anti-terrorism policy. Mr Vaz, on the other hand, has often criticised the government for overlooking human rights considerations in the name of fighting terror.

The rally, organised by the Tamil National Remembrance Foundation, to pay homage to LTTE activists killed in clashes with Sri Lankan security forces, also received messages of “support” from London Mayor Ken Livingstone and the Liberal Democrat MP Simon Hughes, according to TamilNet, the worldwide pro-LTTE website.

The rally’s highpoint was a “live” televised “Heroes’ Day” address by the LTTE chief, Velupillai Prabakaran, who urged “the entire Tamil-speaking world” to rise up.

Read more,
http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/09/stories/2007120953881200.htm

Radhika & Jayantha promotes the anti-Sri Lankan R2P

After plugging Jaffna-centric politics from its inception, after mobilizing the international network of NGOs to pressure the Government of Sri Lanka to bow down to the will of the mono-ethnic extremism of the North, after reinforcing ethnic prejudices and exacerbating the ethnic enmities through imported ideological concepts of the West, the International Centre for Ethnic Studies (ICES) is now focusing aggressively on its new agenda of pushing the controversial Right to Protect (R2P). This new campaign began with ICES inviting Gareth Evans, head of the International Crisis Centre, to deliver a craftily calculated lecture on R2P.

It is not a coincidence that Gareth Evans, a close ally of Ms. Radhika Coomaraswamy, the former head of ICES, came at a time when the Sri Lankan security forces were advancing towards the heart of the Tiger Terroristan in the east and the north.

Evans' lecture was politically angled to threaten Sri Lanka to halt the current offensive against the Tigers. In short, Evans was brought by ICES to tell the Government of Sri Lanka that there are provisions in international law (example: R2P)to intervene if the Security Forces advanced too close to crush the Tigers.

Read more,
http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2007/12/09/fea03.asp

Hindraf faces ban: has 'links with India's RSS, Lanka's LTTE'

The Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), a Malaysian rights group, has "links" with India's "militant organisation" Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) and Sri Lanka's Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a Malaysian minister has alleged.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohamed Nazri Aziz said "the groups are Sri Lanka's LTTE and the RSS, a militant organisation in India", The Star newspaper said Saturday.

Nazri said this was from statements of Hindraf leaders "who went overseas to garner support that they would meet LTTE leaders".

The supposed links with the LTTE, declared a terrorist group in the US, Britain,India and other countries, could lead to a ban on Hindraf, which spearheaded a massive protest by ethnic Indians last Sunday, a media report said Saturday quoting Attorney General (AG) Abdul Gani Patail.

However, Hindraf leader P. Uthayakumar has denied that his organization has established any contact with the LTTE and has termed the government charge "baseless" and part of a campaign.

Read more,
http://www.indianmuslims.info/news/2007/dec/08/

Sri Lankan president to visit Japan

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa will pay a three-day official visit to Japan on the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda from Dec. 9 to 11, the Daily News reported Saturday.

The visit will widen existing bilateral relations between the two countries in the economic, political, social, cultural and religious fields, said the government's official newspaper.

Rajapaksa will hold bilateral talks with Fukuda and other Japanese leaders during his visit, the newspaper added.

The Japanese government appointed Yasushi Akashi as a special peace envoy in November 2002 to facilitate the peace process between the Sri Lankan government and Tamil Tiger rebels.

Read more,
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-12/08/content_7218331.htm

Sri Lanka's Micro Cars to export SUVs to India

Sri Lankan car company Micro Cars Ltd will export locally assembled South Korean Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) SsangYong Kyron to India from next year.

"There is a demand for quality SUVs in India," Micro Cars Managing Director Lawrence Perera told reporters here.

The company has already sent test vehicles to India and received "very good" response, he said, adding Micro Cars would export its locally assembled Kyron SUVs to India from next year.

The company is manufacturing two SUV type vehicles with the price staring from 7.5 million Sri lankan Rupees (around 68,000 dollars).

Read more,
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Auto/

Kumble confident that Murali will get 1000 wickets

India's captain and most successful bowler Anil Kumble is confident that Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan would be able to claim 1000 Test scalps in his career.

Just a few days ago, Murali became the world's highest wicket-taker.

"I spoke to Murali yesterday. And I told him he would get to 1000 Test wickets. He is a good bowler. It's a big achievement," Kumble said at the customary media conference after the second Test between India and Pakistan ended in a draw.

Read more,
http://www.cricketzone.com/news/news_face_to_face/2007-12-05-1940.html

Murali visits Lankan President

Legendary off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan had a special day when he took his parents along for a meeting with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse's at his residence here.

The President congratulated Muralitharan for claiming the world record for the highest number of Test wickets and presented him with a car donated by Sri Lanka Cricket.

Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake, Parliamentary Speaker WJM Lokubandara and Sports Minister Gamini Lokuge were also present on the occasion on Friday.

The members of the visiting England cricket team were also present.

Read more,
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/007200712081834.htm

Make use of the cowardly attacks to take measures to proscribe tiger organization!

In a brutal attack carried out by tiger terrorists at Sripura area at Kebethigollawa on the 5th of this month, targeting a passenger bus, 16 innocent civilians were killed and more than 20 were injured. The JVP extends its sympathies to the relatives and friends of those who were killed in the brutal and cowardly attack and wishes speedy recovery for those who were injured in the incident.

When considering the manner the separatist tiger terrorists had carried out the cowardly attack it is obvious that it had been intentionally targeted civilians.

Such attacks targeting civilians carried out by tiger terrorists again emphasize that the government needs to take more decisive and serious measures. If the government still lingers on a mentality of retaliation measures only, it would not be adequate. It is important that the government vigorously approach offensive measures to defeat and finally eradicate tiger terrorism. We believe that this offensive should lead not only to defeat tiger organization militarily but also it should be broadened to defeat tigers politically. For this, measures should be taken to abrogate tiger organization making use of the cowardly brutal attacks carried out by it.

Read the full statement here,
http://www.jvpsrilanka.com/pb_release/pb_2007/07122007%20-%20English.htm