Sri Lanka Latest News: June 2007

Saturday, June 30, 2007

Another truck with over 1000 kg explosives found

SL naval troops acting on civilian information uncovered an explosive laden vehicle intended for a high profile suicide mission by the LTTE, yesterday (29). The lorry was laden with C-4 high explosives weighing over 1,000 kilogrammes.

"The explosives-laden Freezer truck was found from the Padikkiya fishing village in Trincomalee following a tip-off," a senior defence official said.

Initial inquires indicated that the explosives were packed inside the lorry, similar to the previous lorry found at Kotavehera in Kurunegala early this month (01st, June). The official said explosives were defused and one suspect was taken into custody.

According to the defence officials further information were not available as investigations were under-way.

Extracted from,
http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20070630_06

We protect media freedom and privacy of citizens- Justice Minister Dilan Perera

Minister of Justice Dilan Perera said that the Government is fully committed to protect the private space and privacy of individual rights of the people. “Media has the fullest freedom to crticise the government or any individual.

However it is the responsibility of the government as well as the media to ensure that the private space of a citizen is not violated,” he said at a media briefing held in Colombo today (29).

He said that a Note to the Cabinet was introduced for discussion on the need for enhancing punishment for kidnappings and abductions and on the criminal defamation laws.

However no decision was taken on the latter. He clarified that no Cabinet Paper was presented to reintroduce criminal defamation laws, as a section of the media has erroneously reported.

Read more,
http://news.lk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2769&Itemid=44

Solheim is a convicted criminal! -NAT

Eric Solheim, Norwegian Minister for International Development and the chief facilitator in the Norwegian brokered peace effort in Sri Lanka is a convicted criminal says the latest report of Norwegians Against Terrorism (NAT). According to NAT Solheim had been jailed for stealing from the Norwegian Air Force.

NAT quoting from his biography, “Nærmere”, states that Solheim “drags about his exploits and says that he enjoyed his time in jail, spending most of his time reading world literature.”

The report, states that “stealing from Norwegian Air Force is nothing compared to the crimes he has committed against the Sri Lankan people.

Read more,
http://www.lankatruth.com/full_story/2007/June/30/20070630_5.htm
and
http://www.asiantribune.com/index.php?q=node/6350

JVP to meet Mangala next week

SLFP Mahajana wing leader Mangala Samaraweera and the JVP leadership are scheduled to meet next Wednesday at the JVP headquarters at Pelawatta, political sources said.

They said the meeting would take place on a request made by the former minister to explore possibilities of the two parties working together.

Former minister Sripathi Sooriyaarachchi will attend the meeting along with Mr. Samaraweera while several JVP seniors are expected to attend the meeting.

The SLFP Mahajana wing met Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and other UNP leaders last Thursday.

Read more,
http://www.dailymirror.lk/2007/06/30/front/5.asp

Arnold enjoying role from Cricketer to Commentator

Former Sri Lanka batsmen, Russel Arnold who retired from international cricket after the 2007 World Cup has taken up a new assignment as a cricket commentator during the on going test series between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Arnold said that he is enjoying his new role as a cricket commentator and is a great privilege to be associated in the company of some of the elite cricket commentators in the calibre of Tony Greg, Sanjay Manjerkar, Ranjith Fernando and Ranil Abeynaike.

Read more,
http://lankacricket.wordpress.com/2007/06/28/
arnold-enjoying-role-from-cricketer-to-commentator/

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

LTTE Uses UNHCR Sacks for Bunker Building

Troops of the Army fully committed to liberate Thoppigala, the last eastern bastion of the LTTE terrorists are inching forward removing hundreds of anti-personnel mines buried by fleeing terrorists.

As a result of the thrusting movement of the heroic members of the Armed Forces, LTTE terrorists now in disarray appeared to have run amok and vanished further into the interior fearing that troops would capture them at any moment of the day.

Infantry men supported by Engineer troops in the weekend came across a number of LTTE's destroyed bunkers, public buildings, vehicles and many other items. It is clear that terrorists while vacating those areas had vandalized almost everything within their reach as the photos in this story depict.

Strangely enough, polythene sacks with UNHCR emblem in which dry rations to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) contained have been used by the LTTE to cover up their bunkers.

A western diplomatic connection with Colombo abductions

A western diplomatic mission's connection with regard to recent abductions, is being revealed, Police sources said.

This alleged connection has been first detected when a detained suspect revealed information about a diplomatic officer and a female employee of one of the western diplomatic missions as connected with incidents of abductions and ransom taking.

This suspect identified as Ranjith Dharmaratne alias Ananda was arrested under the suspicions of ransom collection. After the the abduction of Masimalani Nethrarajah alias Suren, Dharmaratne has come to collect 50 laks ransom.

Read more,
http://www.lankatruth.com/full_story/2007/June/25/20070625_05.htm

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Three LTTE craft completely destroyed in sea battle off Point Pedro

Three LTTE sea Tiger craft was completely destroyed while another two were disabled following a major sea battle that erupted off Point Pedro around 4.30 p.m. this evening (19).

The Navy supported by ground troops with heavy MBRL and artillery fire and air support by MI 24 helicopter gun ships inflicted heavy damages on the cluster of enemy Sea Tiger boats.

Sea Tigers with heavy damages are currently withdrawing towards Kadaikadu naval sources confirmed. Naval fast attack craft are in hot pursuit engaging the fleeing Sea Tiger craft.

Read more,
http://www.nationalsecurity.lk/fullnews.php?id=6280
and
http://defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20070619_07

Mangala & Sripathi cross over to Opp. Benches; forms a new political wing

Former ministers Mangala Samaraweera and Sripathi Suriarachchi crossed over to the opposition benches this morning, before the government presented a supplementary budget to parliament to obtain approval, for 6 ministries exceeding 650 million rupees.

Meanwhile Suriarachchi and Samaraweera have decided to establish a separate wing of the SLFP called the Mahajana Wing.

The two former ministers have informed this move to the speaker in writing.

Read more,
http://www.lankaenews.com/English/news.php?id=4292

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Warning Shots Fired by Sailor at Unidentified Person

A sentry on duty at the naval detachment in ALLES GARDEN area having observed an unidentified person approaching the detachment warned verbally and fired a few warning shots as he continued to walk despite his warning towards the point around 10.30 p.m. yesterday (13)...

...On investigations it was revealed that the person who had approached the detachment during dark was a Pilipino national named "Aptonio Vilamor" working in a NGO named "Mercy Corps" in TRINCOMALEE.

Due to the warning shots, the Pilipino national sustained minor injuries and was taken to the TRINCOMALEE hospital and later transferred to Colombo for medical treatment.

Read more,
http://www.rnhit.com/mcns/fullnews.php?id=6226

Court blocks Japan's NTT from selling stake in Sri Lanka Telecom

Sri Lanka's Supreme Court halted Japan's Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT) from selling shares in the island's main telecom company pending a corruption probe.

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Sarath Silva suspended the proposed sale to Global Telecom Holdings, a unit of Malaysia's Usaha Tegas Sdn, and set a new hearing date for Sept 17.

'This type of transaction must have a high degree of transparency,' the chief justice said, calling for documents relating to the transaction.

NTT, which owns a 35.2 pct stake in Sri Lanka Telecom, last month received approval from the Sri Lankan government to sell 25.3 pct to Global Telecom Holdings.

Sri Lanka recalls Atapattu

SRI Lanka has recalled former captain Marvan Atapattu for the Test series with Bangladesh which starts this month.

Atapattu, 36, last played Test cricket against India in 2005, before he was sidelined for 18 months with a serious back injury.

The right-handed batsman, a veteran of 88 Tests, returns in place of Sanath Jayasuriya, who retired from the Test scene after this year's World Cup.

Uncapped left-hand batsman Malinda Warnapura and left-arm pace bowler Sujeewa de Silva are the two new faces in the 15-man squad.

Retired Major General Ashok K. Mehta criticized ManMohan Singh’s National Security Advisor

A retired Major General of the Indian Army has severely criticized Prime Minister Man Mohan Singh’s National Security Advisor for his blunt statement that proposes to cancel Sri Lanka’s sovereign right to purchase its weapons from anywhere it wants and says India has been only paying lip service to Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and territorial integrity without meeting its obligations.

Writing an op-ed piece in the Indian daily, The Tribune, retired Major General Ashok K. Mehta said that once, “Sri Lanka was forced to turn to Pakistan for the crucial multibarrel rocket launcher which saved Jaffna from being overwhelmed by the LTTE. Sri Lanka refers to Pakistan as a friend and saviour.”

Mehta very bluntly said, “As India has underwritten Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, it has the moral responsibility to sort out the mess in that country which endangers its own security.”

Read more,
http://www.lankaweb.com/news/items07/140607-1.html

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Police finds roadside bomb in Colombo

A clamore mine weighing 15 Kg packed in a school bag and hidden among bushes on the sea shore near the NELSON LANE off the rail road in WELLAWATTA, COLOMBO was found by a the security personnel today (13) around 6.45 a.m.

A sanitary worker had observed the bomb immediately informed the Police post nearby.

The WELLAWATTA Police recovered the bomb which was checked by STF Bomb Disposal unit.

In recent weeks, LTTE terrorists blasted a series of bombs in the city and the suburbs causing heavy loss of life and limb and destruction of property.

Read more,
http://www.rnhit.com/mcns/fullnews.php?id=6211

Sri Lanka urges Qatar to ban LTTE

Sri Lanka has urged Qatar to ban the LTTE, Sri Lanka's Deputy Foreign Minister, who is on a tour of the region, told the media yesterday.

Hussein A Bhaila said after a meeting with Qatar's Assistant Foreign Minister, H E Muqaddam Al Bonain, that one of the issues discussed was to ban the LTTE.

Asked what impact he thought the move would have on the LTTE, Bhaila said if nothing else, it would put moral pressure on the terrorist organisation.

His comments came in response to a question from The Peninsula about reports that some LTTE operators were extorting money from low-income Sri Lankan workers here to remit funds home.

Read more,
http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Local_News&subsection=
Qatar+News&month=June2007&file=Local_News200706132220.xml

British MP Andy Love opens UK office of LTTE-TV "Tharisanam"

The British Member of Parliament (Edmonton) Andy Love MP declared open LTTE's new TV station "Tharisanam" UK Office yesterday.

Tharisanam UK Office is located at 72-74 Chase side Southgate London N14 4PR, reports said.

Reports added "many other Tamil councilors, religious leaders, representatives of Tamil organizations, and “Tharisanam” viewers were present on the occasion."

LTTE's “Tharisanam” TV was launched on May 21 as a result of rebels' previous TV channel (Tamil Television Network (TTN) shut out from the satellite.

Sri Lanka Telecom to commence IPTV in six months

Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) is planning to commence an Internet Protocol television service within six months. SLT has already obtained the license for the service, a SLT spokesperson said.

SLT hopes to use the country’s widest network available to provide a user-friendly TV service with competitively priced packages.

The multimedia service will provide TV, video on demand and many other facilities via the broadband connections in the beginning, said the SLT spokesman.

Extracted from,
http://www.colombopage.com/archive_07/June11140730SL.html

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Attempt to Blast the Transformer Fails

An attempt has been taken by LTTE terrorists toblast a high voltage transformer at KURUNIYAWATTA, WELLAMPITIYA in COLOMBO today (12) around 7.10 a.m.

The explosion has not damaged the transformer or any other property or any person.

WELLAMPITIYA Police are conducting inquires.

Investigations have revealed that the explosion was caused by explosives weighing 500 g which had been designed as a time bomb.

Extracted from,
http://www.rnhit.com/mcns/fullnews.php?id=6196

Read more,
http://www.news.lk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2625&Itemid=44

Monday, June 11, 2007

LTTE was created by India

Two former commanders of the Army and Air Force last week came down hard on India over comments made by the Indian National Security Adviser that Sri Lanka should not seek weapons from Pakistan or China.

Former Army Chief Hamilton Wanasinghe said India should not tell Sri Lanka from where it should purchase military hardware or not. It is Sri Lanka's choice, so the request is 'unfair'," General Wanasinghe who commanded the Army from 1988 to 1991 told the Daily Mirror.

Praising Pakistan and China for their continued support to Sri Lanka, the former Army Chief also said we had to depend on Pakistan and China at critical points of time in the past. "We can't antagonize those two countries, as they were there when we needed them."

Accusing neighbouring India of creating Sri Lanka's conflict, the former Army Commander said India was partly responsible for creating the problem for us. "The LTTE was created by India. That's the truth."

Meanwhile, former Air Force Chief Air Vice Marshal Harry Gunatilake said Sri Lanka had the freedom to go to any country to purchase weapons.

Extracted from,
http://nation.ittefaq.com/artman/publish/article_36720.shtml

Asia lifts the second edition of the Afro-Asia Cup

The Asian captain won the toss and elected to bat first.

But things didn’t go right for the Asians at first. Africa was obviously on top of the game as Asia kept loosing wickets at regular intervals.

The scoreboard read 5/72 when the Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene and Indian Wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni came to the team’s rescue. Elegant centuries from both batsmen ensured another successive 300+ total for them.

The two right-handers rebuilt the innings in a record breaking 218-run stand for the sixth wicket. Jayawardene recorded his 10th century in a 106-ball- 107 hitting 9 fours and two sixes while Dhoni was much quicker with 15 fours and 5 sixes in his unbeaten 97-ball-138, his third ODI century.

Read more,
http://lankacricket.wordpress.com/2007/06/10/
asia-lifts-the-second-edition-of-the-afro-asia-cup/

Sri Lanka PM expresses regret

Sri Lanka Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake on Sunday expressed `regret' over Thursday's eviction of 376 "jobless Tamils" living temporarily in lodges in Colombo and suburbs to their places of permanent residence in the north and east.

Addressing a news conference here, Mr. Wickramanayake said his Government accepted "responsibility" for what happened and said such incidents would not recur. However, he was not ready at this juncture to pin the blame on anyone.

On Friday, President Mahinda Rajapaksa called for an immediate report from Inspector-General of Police Victor Perera on the `manner' of eviction, amid reports that the Tamils were put to great hardship and inconvenience.

Sri Lankan Operator Announced Network Expansion Plans

Sri Lanka's Dialog Telekom has signed an investment agreement with the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BoI) to invest a further US$300 million in the country's Telecommunications and Media sectors within the next 2 years.

The investment will be targeted at large scale expansion of services across all regions of Sri Lanka. Associated infrastructure investments would include expansion of the company's GSM and 3G mobile networks, introduction of Value Added Services and the establishment of Broadband transmission networks across the island based on Fibre Optic and Microwave transmission technologies.

The Company will also make substantial investments in the provision of International Bandwidth to Sri Lanka's ICT sector via the SeMeWe4 submarine cable.

Read more,
http://www.cellular-news.com/story/24271.php

Sunday, June 10, 2007

Sri Lanka Premier says another truck with 1,000 kilos of explosives is out there

Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Rathnasiri Wickramanayaka today said that LTTE had sent another truck with over 1,000 kilograms of explosives, a week after police found a truck with over 1,000 kilograms of C-4 explosives packed inside 42 boxes.

“We are searching for another lorry, which can cause a major damage,” the Premier said without giving nay details.

The Police on June 01 arrested a truck with 1,052 kilograms of C-4 explosives carefully hidden in the truck under a pile of coconuts at a Police checkpoint in Kurunegala District.

"The explosives in that truck were enough to blow up half of Colombo," the PM said.

Extracted from,
http://www.colombopage.com/archive_07/June10141038JV.html

Saturday, June 9, 2007

Army closing in to Thoppigala captures four LTTE camps- East

SL army troops during last 24 hours overran four LTTE camps in Pankudaweli North, and Naarakmulla South, Military sources said.

Military Spokesman Brigadier Prasad Smarasinghe said, that four LTTE camps at, Ibbanvila, Akkarathivu, Mawadi-ode, and Veppanveli have been captured by SL Army troops.

"Over 30 LTTE cadres were killed during the battle, and the troops have found eight dead bodies so far", Brigadier Smarasinghe said. He added that if the situation permits bodies would be handed over to the ICRC this evening.

Military sources form the east said, three of the LTTE cadres committed suicide when the army charged ahead. Same sources said many more LTTE bodies have been seen lying in the ground but yet to be collected.

Friday, June 8, 2007

Sri Lanka raps police chief, invites Tamils back

Sri Lanka’s president Friday criticised his police chief for evicting hundreds of minority Tamils from the capital and ordered them to be brought back immediately, an official said.

President Mahinda Rajapakse demanded an explanation from police Inspector General Victor Perera for forcing Tamils out of their sleep and bussing them 260 kilometres (160 miles) north of Colombo to a detention centre.

‘The president has called for an explanation from the IGP,’ an official at the president’s office said. ‘He has also ordered measures to redress the injustices during yesterday’s police action.’

The presidential orders went out after the Supreme Court halted the evictions and the United States, akey ally of the government, led international condemnation of Thursday’s events.

Dead Bodies Found

The Wennappuwa police recovered 09 decomposed dead bodies near the DUMMALADENIYA Bridge in a thicket near LUNUWILA Road, WENNAPPUWA today (08) around 4.30 p.m.

WENNAPPUWA Police are conducting injuries.

Extracted from,
http://www.rnhit.com/mcns/fullnews.php?id=6159

India 'very friendly country', says Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake has described India as a "very friendly country" and said his government will never do anything that harms longstanding bilateral ties.

"India is our very friendly country. India is a country that has given us everything what we asked," he told parliament on Wednesday after an opposition MP accused the government of damaging relations with New Delhi.

"The government strongly maintains the close relationship between the two countries. We can never forget the assistance given to us by India," the state-run Daily News quoted the prime minister as saying. He added that the government had not taken any measure to weaken the friendly relationships with India and other neighbouring countries.

Read more,
http://www.headlinesindia.com/archive_html/07June2007_44506.html

No halting military operations until LTTE is wiped out; PM declares

Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake ruled out the possibility of halting military operations against the LTTE until it is completely wiped out from the country.

Mr. Wickramanayake made this point at the inauguration of the work at Hambantota port yesterday. “We will maintain our right to carry out offensive measures against the LTTE when ever they strike even if we go for talks,” he pointed out.

The Prime Minister explained that the military struggle is not directed towards the Tamil people but against the LTTE who are trampling them by suppressing their rights. He said the government had given complete freedom to the forces and military experts to carry out the military operations. “We politicians do not interfere with the military operations and strategies,” the prime minister added indicating that there is no politics involved.

Read more,
http://www.dailymirror.lk/2007/06/08/news/01.asp

China, India eyeing Sri Lanka's phosphate deposit: Minister

China and India has expressed interest in Sri Lanka's rock phosphate deposits from which the government itself cannot make high grade fertilizer, a government minister told an economic forum in Colombo.

Sri Lanka's phosphate deposit in the north central region of Eppawela, has been a political hot potato for years, and attempts to develop it with a Western mining firm ran into stiff opposition.

"I have visited several Indian plants which have technology to add value to the rock phosphate, and China is also interested," Industrial Development Minister Kumar Welgama told an economic forum organized by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.

Welgama said the government itself was planning an 800 million rupee fertilizer plant that would make Single Super Phosphate (SSP) which was a low grade fertilizer.

Sri Lanka Cricket interviews possible coaches for the national team

John Wright was a possible candidate at first, but he ruled himself out as he was to take up coaching at the Australia’s Centre for Excellence in Brisbane. Now that he has pulled out of that appointment too, things might or might not change.

Other interested candidates included Jamie Siddons, Dave Houghton, Greg Shipperd, Terry Oliver, Trevor Bayliss and Graham Ford.

Siddons is assistant coach of the Australian team and a senior coach at the Center for Excellence in Brisbane. Houghton, the former Zimbabwe captain, is presently coaching Derbyshire. Shipperd is the coach of Victoria while Oliver had success coaching Queensland.

Baylisss made his mark as head coach of New South Wales and Ford who coaches Kent was a former coach of South Africa.

Over 4,000 English Cricket Fans To Arrive In Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Cricket CEO Dulip Mendis said to media that 4,000 English tourists have already confirmed their visit to Sri Lanka to watch the one day and test series between England team and the home squad.

Sri Lanka expects a boost for the island's tourist industry that is severely affected by the travel warnings issued by the Western European countries due to the civil unrest in the country.

England one day team will arrive in Sri Lanka on 25th September and play five ODI matches in Dambulla and Colombo in October.

Dialog becomes Sri Lanka’s biggest investor

Sri Lanka’s most profitable, largest capitalised company and industry leader Dialog Telekom yesterday added another enviable achievement under its belt by becoming the single largest investment project in the country.

This distinction came by when the Dialog Telekom announced the signing of a landmark investment agreement with the Board of Investment (BOI) to invest a further US$ 300 million or Rs. 33 billion in telecom and media sectors in the next two years.

The latest commitment brought the total investment by Dialog in Sri Lanka to a staggering US$ 800 million or over Rs. 90 billion.Tan Sri Dato’ Ir Muhammad Radzi bin Haji Mansor Chairman of Dialog Telekom Ltd said that Sri Lanka is one of “our most compelling success stories outside Malaysia.

Read more,
http://www.dailymirror.lk/2007/06/08/ft/21.asp

Thursday, June 7, 2007

An Emeritus Professor of Computer Science, V.K. Samaranayake passes away

A well known Emeritus Professor of Computer Science, V.K. Samaranayake has passed away on the night of 6th June 2007 in Stockholm, Sweden.

Prof. V.K. Samaranayake, was the founder Director, University of Colombo School of Computing (UCSC) of the University of Colombo, and Chairman of Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) of Sri Lanka,

Late Prof. V.K. Samaranayake was a Fellow of the Harvard Information Infrastructure Project and the National Center for Digital Government of the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. He is also a Post Graduate holder of the University of Kalaniya.

Photo,
http://www.news.lk/images/stories/Multimedia_Gallery/Photo_Gallery/prof_sam.jpg

Govt. hopes Japan will ban LTTE

The Government hopes the latest visit by Japanese peace envoy Yasushi Akashi will result in the listing of the LTTE or the freezing of its funds in Japan, defence spokesman and Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said.

Minister Rambukwella said Japan had deferred listing the rebels in August last year after the LTTE had given an assurance it would cease violence and resume peace negotiations.

However as the rebels had failed to live up to that expectation the Government felt Japan should put pressure by listing the LTTE, he said. “We hope that after Mr. Akashi goes back he will know the ground situation better and this will result in Japan banning the LTTE,” Minister Rambukwella told the media yesterday. On Tuesday Mr. Akashi had discussions with Government peace secretariat head Palitha Kohona on the peace process.

Read more,
http://www.dailymirror.lk/2007/06/07/front/6.asp

Wednesday, June 6, 2007

LTTE terrorists explode an IED targeting Colombo bound train- Batticaloa

The LTTE terrorists have exploded an Improvised Explosive Device(IED) targeting the Colombo bound train at Punani in Batticaloa around 7.15 this morning.

According to the available reports the explosive device was placed on the rail track. The train has been derailed and few of the cabins have been damaged due to the incident. Four of the passengers have suffered injuries due to the derailing.

Media Center for national Security (MCNS) said that, three of the injured have been taken to the Polonnaruwa hospital and the other has been taken to Valachchenai hospital.

Extracted from,
http://defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20070606_01

India asked to desist from returning to bad neighbor policy

India told to desist from interfering in the internal affairs of Sri Lanka. It should not return to bad neighbor policy urged Somawansa Amarasinghe, Leader of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna. “The only country to have intruded on our sovereignty in the postcolonial period is India,” he has alleged...

...On behalf of the political bureau of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna its leader Somawansa Amarasinghe has conveyed to the High Commissioner for India in Sri Lanka that, “The foreign policy of the JVP is very simple.

It will side with any country, whatever their other ideological views, which support Sri Lanka to regain full sovereignty. The only country to have intruded on our sovereignty in the postcolonial period is India.”

Read more,
http://www.asiantribune.com/index.php?q=node/6035

Sri Lankan star helps Asia to victory

Sri Lanka's Tillakaratne Dilshan hit 47 not out from 36 balls to guide an Asia XI to a six-wicket win over an Africa XI in a Twenty20 game.

The Asia bowlers pegged an inexperienced Africa XI to 109 for eight despite 52 from South Africa opener Loots Bosman.

Asia XI reached 110 for four in the 16th over with Dilshan hitting six fours and a six. The first of a three-game one-day series between the two continental teams will be played in Bangalore on Wednesday with the last two fixtures to be held in Chennai at the weekend.

Extracted from,
http://www.rthk.org.hk/rthk/news/
englishnews/20070606/news_20070606_56_406014.htm

Tuesday, June 5, 2007

Army took over two bodies, other bodies were returned to the ICRC

The army took over the bodies of two soldiers from the ICRC around 12.45p.m. at the OMANTHAI entry/exit point today (05). The bodies were identified as of two soldiers out of the missing in action following clashes with the LTTE along the VAVUNIYA forward defence lines last Saturday (02).

The LTTE had handed over 13 bodies to the ICRC claiming them to be of Army soldiers. The Army took over two bodies after identification and confirmation that they were of two army soldiers missing since the attack. The other bodies were returned to the ICRC as they were not of Army personnel.

http://www.rnhit.com/mcns/fullnews.php?id=6101

Monday, June 4, 2007

Japanese peace envoy to visit Sri Lanka tomorrow

Japan’s special peace envoy, Yasushi Akashi, will arrive here tomorrow on a four-day visit in an attempt to push forward the stalled peace process in the island nation.

A Japanese embassy said in a statement that Akashi was planning to discuss with the government and the parties concerned the current situation of the peace process and its future.

During the visit, Akashi is expected to meet President Mahinda Rajapaksa and several other senior government officials.

Extracted from,
http://www.colombopage.com/archive_07/June4131637JV.html

President orders full-scale inquiry

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has ordered a full-scale and immediate inquiry into the deaths of two Red Cross volunteers whose bodies had been recovered from Kiriella with gun shot wounds.

Presidential Secretariat sources said that although an attempt has been made to make the Government responsible for the alleged abduction and the killing of the two Red Cross volunteers, the sources was emphatic that the Government was not involved in the incident at all.

It was also clearly evident that there was no involvement on the part of the police or security personnel into the alleged abduction and killing of the two volunteers, sources added.

90% of abducted had returned: Rajapaksa

Accusing interested parties of exploiting abductions to tarnish the image of his government, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has said that according to the Mahanama Tillekeratne Commission on Abductions, in 90% of cases brought before it, the person allegedly "abducted" had returned.

At a meeting in Colombo on Friday, with the relatives of those "abducted" Rajapaksa said that as per the Commission, the persons who had disappeared were either domestic servants who had wanted to escape; lovers who had eloped; or men and women who had left their spouses after a domestic dispute.

"Due to a large number of complaints of abductions being made for narrow political reasons, police investigations into the genuine complaints about abductions had been hindered," the President said.

Atapattu may be recalled for Bangladesh series

Marvan Atapattu is likely to play his first Test for Sri Lanka in nearly 18 months later this month when Bangladesh arrive for a series of three Tests and three ODIs. Atapattu has been a near-permanent presence in most squads but has played little part in Sri Lanka’s recent resurgence.

He was part of the World Cup squad but failed to get a game in the Caribbean. That may be about to change now, with Ashantha De Mel, chief selector, backing Atapattu’s return. “Marvan Atapattu will definitely be considered for the Test and the one day series against Bangladesh,” said De Mel.

“I think Marvan is too good a player to be left out considering his experience and ability. We will initially look at him for the Tests and, depending on his form, will consider him for the one-day games too. He was left out of the matches against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi, but we have decided to reconsider him,” he added.

Sunday, June 3, 2007

Fighting in Vavuniya; fatal casualties to LTTE

Fresh clashes between the security forces and the LTTE broke out last night (02) at 9 p.m, in the Mullikulama, Kalmadu area in the Vavuniya District with both sides exchanging heavy artillery barrages.

The military troops launched a decisive retaliatory attack, engaging heavy artillery and mortars at identified LTTE gun positions north west of Vavuniya, initial reports said.

LTTE flanks were repulsed due to the heavy military thrust, where it is believed that a large number of terrorists are entrapped in Mullikulama area. Meanwhile, it is said that the troops are trying to cutoff the escape routes.

According to military officials the army troops have 'sledge hammered' the main terrorist offensive line, leaving large number of LTTE bodies scattered in the area. LTTE casualties are believed, to be high with soaring death figures, according to intercepted enemy communications.

CFA should be amended to bring peace - Devananda

The leader of the Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP) and Minister of Social Services and Social Welfare Kathriravelu Nithyananda Douglas Devananda, MP says that the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) which gave undue advantages to the LTTE should be amended to bring back peace.

In an interview with the Sunday observer he said that the CFA, was signed to make the guns silent...

Q: Can you explain the real situation in the North and East ? Do the civilians have access to humanitarian services ?

A: The Government is trying its level best to provide the basic things such as food and other essential items to the people. But, unfortunately the LTTE has blocked all these services from reaching the people. Because of the LTTE threats, there are so many logistical problems faced by the Government. The LTTE has obstructed each and every step that the Government has taken to improve the living condition in the North and East.

Recently the LTTE has threatened the private traders not to sell goods......

Tigers slipped into Switzerland through the back door

Investigations reveal that Switzerland is being taken for a ride by Tigers cadres who are posing as victims of Tiger terror.

This is the latest people-smuggling racket operated by the Tigers. Already there are 40,000 Tamils settled down in Switzerland. They are a part of the Tamil diaspora that funds Tiger terror operations in Sri Lanka.

Tiger operations which include abduction of Tamil teenagers, murders, kidnappings and running heavily guarded concentration camps in Vanni.

At Swiss embassy in Colombo, they posed as Tamils running away from the Tigers. Once they collected the necessary visa and land in Switzerland they join the Tiger outfits in their respective cantons.

Construction work on Rs. 3.6 b Hambantota port soon

Construction work on the Rs. 3.6. billion Hambantota port with financial assistance from the Chinese government will commence within two months, the project engineer, Janaka Kurukulasuriya told the media.

The Chinese government has agreed to provide funds at the request of President Mahinda Rajapaksa during his recent visit to China, he said.

The construction work has been jointly undertaken by the China Harbour Engineering Company and Sino Hydro Corporation.These companies have agreed to complete work on this port in three stages, he said.

Saturday, June 2, 2007

Sri Lanka bans heavy vehicles traveling southward from the northern Vavuniya town

Following the seizure of a truck carrying over 1,000 kg of C-4 explosives Sri Lanka has temporarily banned heavy vehicles traveling from Northern Province Vavuniya to the southern areas of the country.

Vavuniya Senior Superintendent of Police Sisira Mendis said that the decision was taken due to security reasons.

Any heavy vehicle which wants to travel to south will have to obtain a special permit to proceed beyond the Irattaperiyakulam checkpoint south of Vavuniya. However, the new law is not applied for light vehicles and the buses.

The Police yesterday arrested a truck with 1,052 kilograms of C-4 explosives carefully hidden in the truck under a pile of coconuts at the Palugashandiya checkpoint. Palugashandiya is located in the Kotawehera Police division, six miles northwest of Nikaweratiya.

India agrees to coordinated patrolling of the palk straits

Indian Defence Minister AK Anthony today (2 June 2007) assured Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, that the Indian Government was agreeable to conduct coordinated patrols of the maritime boundary between India and Sri Lanka in the Palk Straits.

Modalities for this deployment will be worked out between the two sides. In March 2007, in a letter addressed to the Prime Minister of India, President Mahinda Rajapaksa had proposed such a mechanism in order to prevent attacks on fisherman by the LTTE in the area and the transporting of material supplies to the LTTE.

The matter was also taken up during Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa's visit to New Delhi last week.

India can force Lanka to buy its garbage: media

The Sri Lankan media has lambasted India's National Security Advisor MK Narayanan for saying that Sri Lanka should not buy arms from China or Pakistan and that it should come to India for its military requirements even though New Delhi will not supply offensive weapons.

Daily Mirror carried a cartoon by Gihan Chickera on Saturday, which showed Narayanan standing near an overflowing garbage bin with the caption saying: "India can force Sri Lanka to buy its garbage."

In its editorial The Island daily said that Narayanan's statement that India was a "big power" which could not allow China and Pakistan to enter its sphere of influence showed "arrogance, callousness and coercion that characterised the Nazi regime of Hitler."

On Narayanan's saying that India would not supply offensive weapons to Sri Lanka, the editorial asked: "Is he of the opinion that terrorism could be countered with broomsticks and brickbats?"...

..Daily Mirror said in its editorial that India's bid to play "policeman" of the region was "objectionable" and hoped that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, known for his commitment to democracy and respect for the independence of nations "will not permit India to commit itself to the adoption of the attitude advocated by Narayanan."

No room for LTTE in Singapore

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama was assured yesterday by the Singapore Government that it will work closely with the Sri Lankan authorities to curb any possible use of Singaporean territory by the LTTE for its operations.

The Minister received this assurance when he met with the Singaporean Foreign Minister George Yeo and Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean in separate meetings yesterday. The Minister was accompanied by Foreign Secretary Dr. Palitha Kohona.

Bogollagama and the Foreign Secretary are in Singapore to attend the Sixth Annual Asian Security Summit - the Shangri-La Dialogue, which commenced its sessions yesterday night in Singapore.

The Shangri-La Dialogue is a forum organised by the International Institute of Strategic Studies (IUISS) and brings together 25 official government delegations led mainly by Defence Ministers, Foreign Ministers, Chiefs of Defence Staff and other senior officials, who will deliberate on security-related issues with legislators, experts, academics and business people from Asia-Pacific region and key outside powers.

President makes surprise visit to Katunayake air base

President Mahinda Rajapaksa made a surprise visit to the Katunayake Air Base adjoining the Bandaranaike International Airport on Thursday night, to inspect the security situation and radar systems there, sources said.

“The President and senior defence officials visited the Air Force base and held talks with senior officers there about the current situation in the backdrop of the LTTE’s air attack a few weeks ago,” a senior defence ministry official said.

The President later inspected how the radar system of the air port was working and instructed the officials to maintain security at the highest level at the country’s only international airport.

India has not right to determine whom we buy arms from- JHU

JHU national organizer Udaya Gammanpila says India has no right to dictate Sri Lanka where to purchase arms from as Sri Lanka is a sovereign state.

He made this statement reacting on a statement made by Indian National Advisor M.K. Narayanan asking the government not to purchase arms from Pakistan of China.

"We actually don't believe a country like India made such a statement. But if they did, this is direct intervention to Sri Lanka's Sovereignty. As an independent country we have the right to purchase arms from where ever we want," he said.

Read more,
http://www.lankaenews.com/English/news.php?id=4211

Police seize biggest explosive stock in Kurunegala

Police seized 940 kg of C 4 explosives from a lorry at the Palugas handiya (junction) road block at Kotawehera, Nikaweratiya, Kurunegala around 3.30 p.m. today (01). The explosives had been stocked in 47 boxes each carrying 20 kg, the Police said.

Latest information reveals that the explosives had been carefully concealed underneath a stockpile of coconuts.

The Police also arrested the driver and his assistant believed to be from the Chavakachcheri area in the North.

Today's seizure is reportedly the biggest explosives haul recovered in Sri Lanka.

C-4 or Composition C -4 is a common type of plastic explosive used by the LTTE in bomb attacks in Sri Lanka. It can be easily molded into any shape or stuffed into gaps in buildings, equipment or machinery.

The LTTE had used 50 kg of C-4 explosives in the Central Bank attack which killed 55 people and injured over 1000.

Security Forces believe that the massive stock of C-4 explosives would have been transported to Colombo by the LTTE for a major attack. Due to a thorough security check by the police at the Palugas handiya road block another possible terrorist attack was prevented.

Extracted from,
http://www.rnhit.com/mcns/fullnews.php?id=6034

I am ready to resume talks with LTTE: Rajapaksa

The Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa today said he is ready to resume peace talks with Tamil Tiger rebels even as heavy fighting raged in the island's embattled north-east.

Rajapaksa will enter into negotiations with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) provided the guerrillas agree to resume from where they left off in October 2006, his spokesman Chandrapala Liyanage said.

"I am ready to talk even today in the present circumstances," the President was quoted as saying. "I am a total democrat and I believe in a peaceful negotiated settlement."

Rajapaksa said controversial proposals unveiled by his party earlier last month were not the final solution to the drawn out ethnic conflict and expressed his willingness to go along with a consensus in the country.

Sri Lanka media rights body slam opposition leader over attempts to intimidate media

The Free Media Movement has slammed the opposition United National Party over its continued attempts to intimidate newspaper editors using parliamentary privilege.

A call by Sri Lanka's opposition leader to summon newspaper editors to parliament which drew fire from the Free Media Movement was followed by another statement from the UNP the FMM said.

"FMM is of the view that the UNP’s position is only tenable through a perverse distortion of logic, democratic norms and modern international best practice and law relating to freedom of expression, parliamentary privilege and contempt," the rights body said in a statement.

Friday, June 1, 2007

Sri Lanka is not a colony of England, America or any other country! – President Mahinda Rajapakse

“Sri Lanka is not a colony of England, America or any other country" said President Mahinda Rajapakse speaking to ‘AlJazeera’ and accused those who criticise his policies of interfering in Sri Lanka's internal affairs.

The President was critical of Europe, and the US, both of which have talked of cutting off aid. He accused European leaders in particular of callously stopping humanitarian aid for tsunami victims.

He also said there was no religious or ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka and the international community is completely wrong in accusing his army of human rights violations.

Don’t seek weapons from Pakistan, China: India

India yesterday said Sri Lanka should turn to it for its arms requirements and not seek weapons from Pakistan or China, a news agency reported.

The Chennaionline quoted India’s National Security Advisor M K Narayanan as saying so following a meeting with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.

"We are a big power in the region. We don't want the Sri Lankan government to go to Pakistan or China. Whatever may be its requirement, the Sri Lankan government should come to us. However, India will not provide weapons with offensive capabilities to Sri Lanka," he said.

Justifying why India provided radars to the Sri Lankan government, Mr. Narayan said, "Radars are seen as a defensive capability. Hence, we have provided the Sri Lankan government with them."

read more,
http://www.dailymirror.lk/2007/06/01/front/01.asp

Cuba-Sri Lanka to Expand Cooperation in the Coconut Industry

Sri Lanka's Minister of the Coconut Industry, Salinda Dissanayake, arrived in the eastern Cuban province of Guantanamo on Wednesday to establish closer links between Cuba and his country.

On Thursday, the minister and his delegation will visit plantations, Malay ovens and coconut oil factories in the municipality of Baracoa -- the main producer of coconuts in Cuba. Also scheduled are talks with local producers and managers in that sector.

Dissanayake, who is accompanied by Sri Lanka's ambassador to Cuba, Kirthi Sigera, was given detailed information on the coconut industry in Cuba upon his arrival in Guantanamo.

Athawetunewewa Village Indiscriminately Targeted By LTTE Mortar Fire

On thursday (31) Morninig, LTTE terrorists indiscriminately targeted ATHAWETUNUWEWA village area, WELIOYA, twice with mortar fire injuring Two females living in the area.

Four soldiers who were on duty in the village at the same time were also seriously injured.

One soldier succumbed to his injuries on his way to hospital while three were admitted to the ANURADHAPURA hospital.

Extracted from,
http://www.rnhit.com/mcns/fullnews.php?id=6018