Sri Lanka police use tear gas to quell student demonstration

Sri Lankan police in the capital Colombo on Monday used water cannon and tear gas to quell a demonstration by university students highlighting student grievances.

Danushka Kumarasinghe, the spokesman for the students said that they were planning to hand over a communique outlining six grievances to the authorities. One of the demands was to restore drinking water supply to the university building. Protesting students claimed that four of them were injured while one of them was arrested by the police.

The students of the Rajarata University in the north central town of Anuradhapura arrived in the capital Colombo to walk to the offices of the University Grants Commission in Ward Place in Central Colombo.

Extracted from,
http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/6227444.html
Photo from,
http://www.lakbima.lk/img/1-2.jpg

LTTE Calls for Blood Donations in the Wanni

The defence ministry said yesterday (29) that the LTTE had ordered each family in the Wanni to donate two pints of blood to the outfit, following a recent air raid on their ‘Senkadeer’ Sea Tiger base in Alampil, Mullativu.

The ministry in a statement said that the LTTE’s intercepted radio communications revealed that the Sea Tiger base had been almost destroyed due to the air raids and that it rarely ordered every family to give blood on a single occasion and that this indicated a large number of casualties due to the air raid.

Read more,
http://www.army.lk/morenews.php?id=7107

Postal service paralyzed in Sri Lanka as postal workers report sick

A section of the Sri Lanka postal department workers stayed away from work from early morning today reporting sick leave. The operations of many post offices were paralyzed as a result of the trade union action.

A spokesperson of the Postal Service Union said that the postal workers around the country have joined this strike against privatization and alleged corruption in the postal department and the the aim of the trade union action is to urge the authorities to pay attention to the malpractices in the department.

The spokesman said the government had granted permission to private companies to deliver mail, in what amounted to a de facto privatization campaign. The government however has said it has no plans to privatize any state institution.

Read more,
http://www.colombopage.com/archive_07/July30134559SL.html

Missing homeguard returns but police doubt his tale

One of the homeguards from Tantirimale who went missing after they went to pick herbs from the Wilapattu reserve forest on Thursday, returned home yesterday and had related a tale of how the two homeguards were captured by the LTTE from whom he escaped later.

However Tantirimale police OIC Chief Inspector Dhammika Bandara Hapugoda said that the police had doubts about his statement and is further questioning him.

The two homeguards - 50 year old Chulapadma and 46 year old Jayaweera were residents of the Kosbewa hamlet in Tantirimale. Jayaweera returned home yesterday afternoon

According to police the two homeguards had gone to the forest to pick herbs while they were off duty and therefore did not carry any firearms. The two who went to the forest at round 5 p.m. on Thursday had not returned to their homes even by next morning and the family members had alerted the police.

Read more,
http://www.dailymirror.lk/2007/07/30/front/06.asp

Malwatte Mahanayake Thero snubs –storm is gathering for Ranil in his political horizon

Sri Lanka’s foremost Buddhist monk, the Head of the Malwatte Chapter of the Siamese Sect, regretted the recent statement made by Ranil Wickremesinghe, leader of the United National Party, calling Buddhist monks ‘a corrupt company or “Dussila Samagama” and said no service could be expected out of such leaders to the country, the religion and the Buddhist monks in the future.’

“Some leaders who do not know the value of Buddhist monks over a simple matter, publicly call Buddhist monks a “Dussila Samagama” and I regret such words being used against the Buddhist monks,” said the most Venerable Thibbotuwawe Sri Sumangala, head of the Malwatte Chapter of the Siyam Nikaya in an obvious reference to Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Read more,
http://www.asiantribune.com/index.php?q=node/6742

Live telecast of Kandy perahera to 17 countries

Sri Lanka’s biggest Cultural pageant, the World renowned Kandy Esela Perahera is to be telecast live in 17 countries through Satellite, Intel sat-60.

The Ministry of Tourism has taken this initiative in a bid to boost tourism and to portray the rich cultural heritage of Sri Lanka to the world.

The live telecast would be shown in Japan, Italy, Australia, Taiwan, Tailand, South Korea, India etc. In addition Ministry sources said that there was a possibility of live coverage being carried out in the UK and USA too.

Deputy Minister of Tourism Faizer Musthapa undertook a tour of Kandy recently to discuss many developments and ideas to promote foreign and domestic tourism in the hill capital where he met all relevant sectors and vowed to make Kandy a happening place during the festive season.

The Deputy Minister said that he intended to promote Kandy as a viable destination for both local and foreign tourists.

Read more,
http://www.dailynews.lk/2007/07/30/news21.asp

Ranil's last gamble: jumping from the frying pan into the fire

At the end of the day, there is no way in which anyone take away from Ranil Wickremesinghe his three major attributes:
1) his insensitive capacity to sell the nation to its enemies in the name of peace which he can't win with appeasement

2) his proven ability to run down his party until only he is left holding the fort and

3) his knack of picking the wrong political partners and issues in the mistaken belief of saving himself, irrespective of what happens to the UNP or the nation.

If you add up all three it amounts to committing political suicide. And he has done it so many times that he now stands out as the nearest thing to a dead man walking.

His failures are legion and in any other democracy he would have resigned and faded out of public life.

But he clings on to the wobbly presidential chair of the UNP promising to take over power tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow which never comes. These promises are essentially to prevent his backbenchers from crossing over. But his frontbenchers and backbenchers have seen through him and they have deserted him. The last remaining talent is K. N. Choksy and he too has decided to leave him sooner or later.

On top of all this comes the news that Tilak Karunaratne, the UNP Treasurer, has resigned citing Wickremesinghe's latest gaffes of belittling Thoppigala and attacking Buddhist monks. The outstanding quality of any leader is to solve problems.

Read more,
http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2007/07/29/fea03.asp

ECB officials satisfied with security arrangements

An England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) delegation comprising England cricket director John Carr and security manager Reg Dickson are presently in Sri Lanka making a security assessment ahead of England's tour of Sri Lanka, which starts in the final week of September.

Sri Lanka Cricket tour organizing committee chairman Shibley Vilcassim said the delegation had expressed great satisfaction over the security arrangements made for the tour. "We had a meeting at the SLC headquarters on Friday where they met representatives of the bomb squad, Sri Lanka Army, Ministry Security Division (MSD) and SSPs of all regional police stations where the matches are to be played."

The delegation also visited the match venues and hotels where the England team will be staying. The matches are scheduled to be played in Colombo (SSC and R. Premadasa Stadium), Dambulla, Kandy and Galle.

Read more,
http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/content/current/story/304166.html

No Clemency From Family in Rizana Case

A top level Sri Lankan delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Hussein Bhaila leaves the Kingdom today after meeting with several Saudi officials to seek clemency for a young Sri Lankan woman who was found guilty of murdering an infant child, opening the way for her to be publicly beheaded.

The woman, who was 17 at the time she came to the Kingdom to work in 2005 as a housemaid for a Saudi family near Riyadh, claims the four-month-old baby she was told to care for accidentally choked to death. The death occurred on the maid’s second week on the job.

Rizana Nafeek was found guilty of murder rather than accidental death on June 16 by a panel of three judges. Earlier this month the Sri Lankan mission in Saudi Arabia succeeded in filing a last-minute appeal, which has temporarily put execution off the table pending the outcome of the Cassation Court trial.

Read more,
http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1§ion=0&article
=99059&d=29&m=7&y=2007&pix=kingdom.jpg&category=Kingdom

Navy destroys two LTTE boats and kills 6 sea tigers - Wedithalathive

Two LTTE boats have been destroyed and six sea tigers were killed by the Naval patrol craft in 10Nm west of Wedithalathive at 4:30 p.m. today, July 28.

According to the available information these two LTTE boats were disguised among the cluster of Indian fishing boats and have moved away from the cluster and headed towards west of Wedithalathive as the naval patrol craft reaching towards the cluster of fishing boats.

LTTE cadres onboard have fired Rocket Propeller Grenades (RPG) and using small arms at the naval patrol craft and both LTTE boats were completely destroyed and sunk due to the retaliation, naval sources said.

Naval sources further said that four LTTE cadres were onboard in one boat while two were in the other and all six LTTE cadres were killed due to the retaliation.

Extracted from,
http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20070728_06

Tilak K. steps down

UNP Treasurer Tilak Karunaratne yesterday resigned from all posts he held in the party protesting against alleged remarks made by the party leadership regarding the JHU monks and the Thoppigala military victory.

Mr. Karunaratne, a one time JHU strongman, sent his resignation to party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe announcing his resignation from the post of treasurer and from the Working Committee, Administrative Committee, Management Committee and the Religious Affairs Committee.It was also reported that he had problems with the party leadership regarding the appointment of organizers to Bandaragama and Panadura electorates, and the recent tie-up with the SLFP (Mahajana) wing.

Mr. Wickremesinghe’s last minute bid to prevent Mr. Karunaratne from resigning from the party failed despite a meeting between the two last evening.

Sources also said Mr.Karunaratne was to leave the country last night on a short holiday. Unconfirmed reports said Mr. Wickremesinghe had not yet accepted his resignation.

Read more,
http://www.dailymirror.lk/2007/07/28/front/1.asp

Anti-ceasefire application: Leave granted

The Supreme Court yesterday granted special leave for the applications filed by JHU, JVP and the Sinhala Maha Sabawa against the Court of Appeal order that rejected issuing notices on former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, then Cabinet Ministers and LTTE leader Prabhakaran in connection with writ application filed challenging the signing of the Ceasefire Agreement between Ranil Wickremesinghe and LTTE.

The Supreme Court Bench comprised Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva (PC), Supreme Court Justice Andrew M. Somawansa and Supreme Court Justice Jagath Balapatabendi.

JHU, JVP and the Sinhala Maha Sabawa filed a writ application before the Court of Appeal on March 4, 2002 challenging the signing of the Ceasefire Agreement between Wickremesinghe and the LTTE.

Read more,
http://www.dailynews.lk/2007/07/28/news23.asp

Time bomb diffused which has been timed to set off within 10 minutes at Delkanda

Police found a claymore type bomb which has been timed to set off within 10 minutes at Delkanda "Pola" (market) at 1.30 this afternoon. The police made this discovery when a vigilant civilian gave information to the Mirihana Police on the presence of a suspected parcel at the Market. The Army bomb disposal team has rushed to the location and diffused the bomb averting a major bloodbath.

According to the available information the bomb is weighing 8Kgs and has been made using C4 high explosives. Police said that the LTTE terrorists have planted the bomb targeting the innocent civilians.

Meanwhile, President Mahinda Rajapaksa is also scheduled arrive the area to participate for the public meeting of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party.

Extracted from,
http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20070722_03

Terrorist fantasy of Eelam shattered into smithereens with the liberation of the entire East by the forces – President Rajapaksa

President Mahinda Rajapaksa the liberation of the entire east from the clutches of the terrorists and announced that east would be developed under a the ‘Nagenahira Navodaya’ programme.

"It is the debunking of the myth of such an area of control, and the shattering into smithereens of the crowning terrorist fantasy of Eelam that our brave soldiers who captured Thoppigala have announced loud and clear to the entire world," he said.

President vowed to defend the independence gained by the people in the East after the province was liberated by the valiant soldiers from the cruel grip of terrorists.

Addressing the ‘Nagenahira Navodaya’ ceremony at the Independence Square this morning, he said that his government would never betray the victory achieved with much sacrifices not only by the armed forces but also the ordinary people who had face hardships in order to safeguard the rights of the people in the east.

Read more,
http://www.news.lk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2949&Itemid=44

LTTE has huge profits: report

The London-based Jane’s Intelligence Review says the LTTE has not only created one of the “most sophisticated insurgencies in the world” but also has an annual “profit margin” of $200 to $300 m illion.

A report released on Wednesday says the Tigers have succeeded in establishing one of the sophisticated insurgency networks, largely due to a complex global network of financial resources and weapons that are integral to prolonging its campaign for a separate Tamil state.

In a rare report on the LTTE’s financial operations, Jane’s reports that with financial and procurement structures well organised and strategically positioned around the globe, the group has a profit margin that would be the envy of any multinational corporation.

The report details two overarching financial and procurement bodies that provide the main source of LTTE money, manpower and weapons: the Aiyanna Group and the Office of Overseas Purchases (nicknamed the KP Department).

Read more,
http://www.hindu.com/2007/07/19/stories/2007071956371400.htm

President calls on Iran to join Govt’s efforts to develop East

Following the liberation and comprehensive victory in the East over the LTTE, President Mahinda Rajapaksa called on Iran to join his Government’s efforts of developing it.

President Rajapaksa made this request to the President of the ‘World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thoughts’ His Emminence Ayathullah Sheikh Muhammed Ali Al, when he met him at Temple Trees last Monday.

Ayatollah Sheikh Mohammad Ali Al Taskhiri sought closer understanding between Iran and Sri Lanka in the advances they have made in the field of economic development, social, educational and cultural spheres.

President Rajapaksa conveyed to the religious delegation that his Government had embarked on a massive development programme in the Eastern Province, with the participation of both the Government and the private sectors. He called upon the Iranian government to invest in those development projects.

“If I have oil like you, I can achieve great success in all spheres in the lives of our people”, President Rajapaksa added.

Read more,
http://www.dailynews.lk/2007/07/19/news20.asp

Row over “secret deal” with US

The Government’s refusal to table several annexures of the Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA) with the United States Of America, drew flak from the main opposition UNP and the JVP in Parliament yesterday.

The JVP which raised the matter urged House Leader Nimal Siripala De Silva to table a comprehensive copy of the agreement without concealing facts from the people.

JVP Parliamentary Group Leader Wimal Weerawansa said Minister De Silva tabled only a part of the agreement when the matter was debated in the House earlier Mr. Weerawansa said that the Government avoided its responsibility by not tabling the relevant annexures containing crucial information.

“We requested the Government to reveal all the information in the ACSA to the House. But, the Government avoided the matter giving elusive answers to our questions,” he said.

Read more,
http://www.dailymirror.lk/2007/07/19/front/1.asp

Army finds LTTE Multi-Barrel at Thoppigala

Troops conducting search operations in the Thoppigala jungle have found a Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) of the LTTE terrorists in the Omunugala area a short while ago, today ( July 18).

The MBRL is one of the important items of heavy armour of the LTTE terrorists, and had been used against both troops and civilians.

According to Defence sources in the East, the troops had dug up the MBRL which was found dumped at a location close Omunugala, West of Narakamula. This is part of the heavy armour the LTTE had abandoned when it fled the Thoppigala jungle as troops moved in for the final assault on Baron's Cap.

The LTTE terrorists had damaged some of heavy armour and vehicles they left behind as they fled Thoppigala. It is believed that some more heavy guns of the terrorists could be lying hidden in the jungle terrain of Thoppigala. More search operations will be under way to recover these.

Read more,
http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20070718_06
and
http://www.asiantribune.com/index.php?q=node/6576

JHU to demand Rs. 2.5 bn from Ranil

The Jathika Hela Urumaya is planning to claim Rs. 2.5 billion as damages from Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe for what the party saw as defamation of its five Parliament members.

Dismissing Mr. Wickremesinghe’s recent accusation that JHU leaders had sold their luxury vehicle permits to outsiders, the party’s Legal Advisor Udaya Gammanpila said MPs could not sell vehicle permits given to them for five years.

He said none of the JHU members used the luxury vehicles imported. Thus, JHU Leader Ven. Ellawala Medhananda Thera, Ven. Omalpe Sobhita Thera, Ven. Kotapola Amarakitti Thera, Ven. Aturaliye Ratana Thera and Minister Champika Ranawaka would send letters of demand claiming Rs 500 million each.

Read more,
http://www.dailymirror.lk/2007/07/18/front/07.asp

AFP DISTORTS: IT'S THE COMMANDO FLAG, NOT THE TIGER FLAG

On 16th July 2007 the AFP on its website news report has made a serious distortion in its caption given to the photograph, appearing with the news of the capture of Thoppigala.

The caption, in question, mentioned that the troops are holding the LTTE Flag, along with the National Flag. Whereas the troops are proudly hoisting the National Flag and the Sri Lanka army Commando Regiment Flag, (not the LTTE Flag.)

This is a clear case deliberate distortion of facts, done with a view to tarnish the image of Sri Lanka Army and to belittle the significance of the capture of Thoppigala, which is the culmination of the humanitarian mission of the liberation of the Eastern Province from the clutches of Tiger terrorism.

Photo and news extracted from,
http://www.nationalsecurity.lk/fullnews.php?id=6637

Sri Lanka plans national celebration to honour soldiers who liberated the Eastern Province

The national felicitation ceremony to pay tribute to the soldiers who liberated the Eastern Province from the LTTE will be held on Thursday (July 19) at the Freedom Square in Colombo under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Minister of Public Administration and Home Affairs Karu Jayasuriya said at a press conference held today to announce the celebrations that this was the first time in the three decade war that the entire Eastern Province was liberated. He further said that the President would reveal plans to develop the Eastern Province in his address to the nation.

The Minister appealed to the public to hoist a national flag at each household to salute the heroic soldiers who liberated the Eastern Province.

Extracted from,
http://www.colombopage.com/archive_07/July16125416SL.html

LTTE guns down Eastern Province Chief Secretary - Trincomalee

The Chief Secretary to the Eastern Province, Mr Herath Abeyweera, was gunned down by an LTTE terrorist this evening, - Monday July 16.

According to available information, the LTTE gunman fired at the Chief Secretary while he was in his office located at the Inner Harbour Road in Trincomalee at 6.00 p.m.

Sources said that the LTTE gunman has forcibly entered into the chief secretary's office and shot him point-blank killing him on the spot.

Photo:
http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20070716_03
Read more,
http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20070716_03

UNP to lose elephant symbol?

UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday hinted the possibility of forming a broad political alliance not only with the SLFP Mahajana Wing but also with other parties as well and contesting future elections under a common symbol while forgoing the Elephant symbol for the first time.

The matter was discussed at the party’s Political Affairs Committee (PAC) meeting held at Mr. Wickremesinghe’s Cambridge Terrace official residence.

Party seniors like Chief Opposition Whip Joseph Michael Perera and General Secretary Tissa Attanayake opposed the idea to change the symbol which the party had used since its inception.

They stood by their opinion that the party should never lose its traditional identity by adopting a different symbol.

Read more,
http://www.dailymirror.lk/2007/07/17/front/04.asp

Sri Lanka warns Indian fishermen

The Sri Lankan government has warned Indian fishermen from crossing the international maritime border line. Media reports quoting officials said the warning, which would be effective from Monday, had been sent to the Indian High Commission in Colombo.

The fishermen, who cross international maritime border and enter Sri Lankan area would be arrested and their boats seized, Sri Lanka warned.

In the meanwhile, the Indian Navy is in a process of installing seven state-of-the-art radars along Tamil Nadu’s eastern coast to monitor movement of boats and to prevent Indian fishermen crossing into Sri Lankan territory.

Media reports quoting Commander of the Indian Naval Detachment, Rathode Mukherjee

said the radars bought from the UK were capable of detecting even a small rowing boat in the sea.

Extracted from,
http://www.app.com.pk/en/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12753&Itemid=2

Delay in issuing visas to Sri Lankan team to enter Saudi a puzzle

Saudi Arabian Embassy in Sri Lanka has so far not issued the necessary visa's for the Sri Lankan team, including the Deputy Foreign Minister, to enter Saudi Arabia and make representations on behalf of the 19-year -old Sri Lankan House maid, Rizana Nafeek, sentenced to beheading.

The visa applications were made a week ago and the delay is yet to be explained. The father and mother of the condemned teenage housemaid is expected to travel to Saudi Arabia to appeal in person for clemency from Mr & Mrs Naif Jiziyan Khalaf Al Otaibi, the father and mother of the deceased 4-month-old boy who was alleged to have been killed by the Sri Lanka Housemaid.

The Sri Lankan team due to leave for Saudi Arabia is led by Deputy Foreign Minister Hussein Bhaila. Others in the team are Ibrahim Sahib Ansar, director general of Middle East and North African Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Moulavi M.B.M. Zarook, representative of the Jamiyathul Ulema (Council of Islamic Theologians), Rizana's father, Mohammed Nafeek and mother Razeena.

Read more,
http://www.asiantribune.com/index.php?q=node/6554

Saving Rizana Nafeek doubtful!

The government delegation to visit Saudi Arabia to save Rizana Nafeek, the Sri Lankan girl sentenced to death for the murder of a four-month-old baby has postponed their visit.

Minister Hussain Baila, the leader of the delegation, said they had to postpone the visit due to the refusal of visas by Saudi Arabian Embassy in Sri Lanka. He further said he and the other members of the delegation were waiting to fly to Saudi Arabia as soon as they receive visas to visit that country.

The four months old baby girl had died due to sickness. However, at the time of her death she had been under the care of Rizana Nafeek. As she had been threatened by the parents of the child she had admitted that the child had died due to her negligence.

Read more,
http://www.lankatruth.com/full_story/2007/July/15/20070715_04.htm

Photos,
Rizana's House and Rizana's Family
http://saverizana.blogspot.com/2007/07/save-rizana.html

LTTE terrorists abuse Madhu no war zone; 10 soldiers killed, 34 injured

Heavy fighting erupted in the Wanni front as the LTTE terrorists fired heavy mortars at SL army soldiers at Priyathampanai on the Vavuniya- Mannar road, early this morning (14, July).

According to the defence sources, the terrorists have lunched this cowardly attack abusing the "no-war-zone" agreed by the security forces for the Madhu church area. The no war zone was declared on a request made by the Bishop of Mannar, in view of pilgrims' season of the sacred site. Ten soldiers were killed and 34 others suffered injuries in the incident.

The security forces were compelled to retaliate to the attack and destroyed some of the terror mortar locations completely. It is believed that the retaliatory attacks have caused heave casualties to the LTTE. Defence sources said that clashes had continued from dawn to dusk.

Meanwhile, intelligence sources reveal that LTTE terrorists have positioned their heavy guns in close proximity to the sacred Madhu shrine. A command centre equipped with a communication tower has been observed at a location not more than 200m from the church premises, the sources further added. Defence analysts suggest that terrorists would launch attacks at the security forces taking cover from the church, just as they had done using the government hospital during the Vakarai battle.

Read more,
http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20070715_01

London permits pro-LTTE group rally at Trafalgar Square

The Greater London Authority (GLA) has granted permission to an alleged pro-LTTE organisation, the British Tamil Councillors and Associates, to hold a rally in Trafalgar Square to protest against human rights violations against Tamils in Sri Lanka.

The rally was scheduled to take place last afternoon, amidst much protest by mainly Sri Lankans living in the UK who have pointed out that the GLA’s decision to grant authorisation to a pro-LTTE organisation to hold a rally in London was against the law as the LTTE was a banned organistaion in UK.

“The GLA is granting permission to the rally and is making it a condition in its permissions to the organisers that there will be no promotion of the LTTE on stage (including banners) or through the rally programme and that the focus of the rally is a peaceful protest regarding human rights issues in Sri Lanka,” the authority’s Public Liaison Unit stated.

Read more,
http://www.nation.lk/2007/07/15/news10.htm

Laxman Kiriella loses his cool and insults a lady reporter

United National Party’s Laxman Kiriella who lost his cool at a party press conference insultingly told a lady reporter of the Colombo press that by holding a piece of paper and a pen one could not become a journalist.

He became seemingly upset when the young reporter of the fair sex asked him a question about his leader’s contentious statement on the Army victory at Thoppigala that has created a hornet’s nest even among his own party supporters.

Kiriella , a lawyer like his own leader quite average even in his own field , started patronizingly giving a lecture to the reporter on good journalism. He has had no formal training in journalism....

....The former UNP Minister Kiriella, who has not studied journalism or practiced it at any time in a recognizable way advised the reporter that she must know the acreage of Thoppigala jungle, the number of trees there (as if he knows), the number of square kilometers etc. before asking questions about his leader‘s unpatriotic and inborn hatred of his people. Needless to say people undoubtedly were amazed by these new Kiriella theories of journalism.

Read more,
http://www.asiantribune.com/index.php?q=node/6528

Murali reaches 700 Test wickets

SRI Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan has become the second bowler after Australia's Shane Warne to capture 700 Test wickets.

The off spinner reached the landmark when he had Bangladesh's last man Syed Rasel caught in the deep by Farveez Maharoof on the fourth day of the third and final Test at the Asgiriya stadium in Kandy.

The dismissal signalled Sri Lanka's victory by an innings and 193 runs to give the host a 3-0 sweep of the series.

Muralitharan finished with six wickets in each innings to claim 10 wickets or more in a Test for the 20th time.

Muralitharan, 35, is now just nine wickets away from surpassing the retired Warne's world record tally of 708.

Read more,
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,,22075530-23210,00.html

Sri Lanka complete sweep of Bangladesh series

Muttiah Muralitharan ended the match with his 700th wicket as Sri Lanka defeated Bangladesh by an innings and 193 runs in the final Test in Kandy on Saturday to win the series 3-0.

Bangladesh, trailing by 369 runs on the first innings, were dismissed for 176 in their second innings just before tea on the fourth day at the Asgiriya Stadium.

Muralitharan, who claimed six wickets in each innings, is now just nine scalps away from surpassing retired Australian Shane Warne's world record of 708 wickets.

The off-spinner had last man Syed Rasel caught by Farveez Maharoof in the deep to become only the second bowler after Warne to take 700 wickets.

Sri Lanka, who won all three Tests by innings margins, will now meet the tourists in a three-match one-day series starting in Colombo on July 20.

Extracted from,
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/07/14/1978713.htm

Four LTTE terrorists to be sent for trial in Colombo - Maldives

Four Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres who are currently in a Maldivian jail, caught while smuggling weapons to Sri Lanka in a hijacked Indian trawler will be sent to Sri Lanka to stand trial as terrorists soon.

Maldivian Foreign Minister Dr. Shaheed has announced that he would not stand in the way of transferring the LTTE cadres jailed for smuggling guns through Maldivian waters, also to stand trial in Colombo on additional charges of terrorism under Sri Lanka law.

The Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Male Mohamed Farooq has confirmed to a Maldivian news agency that he has had successful talks with the Maldivian Foreign Minister about the transfer of the prisoners and the Maldivian Foreign Minister has indicated that he would not stand in the way of a transfer of the terrorists to face a trial in Colombo.

Both men have played down the concerns of some pro-Tiger NGO's that the LTTE prisoners would be at the risk of their lives in a Sri Lankan jail.

The international gun running fiasco occurred when the LTTE terrorists, hijacked an Indian trawler with 12 crew members, on March 29, while the DMK party was blaming that on Sri Lanka.

Read more,
http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20070714_02

Bogollagama to bring sacred hair relic to Lanka

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama yesterday said he would bring the Lord Buddha’s scared hair relic offered by the Chittagong Buddhist Viharaya to Sri Lanka next Thursday, while Asgiriya Chapter Mahanayake Most Venerable Udugama Sri Buddharakkita Thera would also be part of the Sri Lankan delegation to visit Bangladesh to accept the historic relic.

The sacred hair relic has been offered to the Madampe Senanayake Aramaya by the Chittagong Buddhist Viharaya on a request made by its Chief Patron Keerthi Senanayake.

Addressing a news conference in Colombo, the Minister said the sacred relic would officially be handed over to him by his counterpart in Bangladesh. The sacred hair relic will be brought to the country on July 19 to coincide with the government’s plan to celebrate the Thoppigala victory in the East. The celebration was earlier scheduled for July 16 but later postponed by three days.

Read more,
http://www.dailymirror.lk/2007/07/14/front/03.asp

Initial Legal Fees Paid for Filing Sri Lankan Maid Appeal

As the July 16 deadline to file an appeal in the case of Rizana Nafeek, the 19- year-old Sri Lankan maid accused of strangling a four-month-old Saudi boy, draws near, the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has come forward and deposited an initial sum of SR50,000 to begin the appeals process.

The AHRC is a nongovernmental human rights organization that has been working on behalf of the young woman. The deposit was made yesterday to the firm of Kateb Fahad Al-Shammari, Attorneys at Law, in Riyadh.

“We hope that this can be the beginning of the process that allows the law firm to now proceed in filing papers before the deadline,” said Basil Fernandez, executive director of the AHRC. He added that the AHRC was doing this on behalf of various groups and individuals that have taken an active interest in the case.

Fernandez also told Arab News that this was only the first of three SR50,000 payments to be made.

Read more,
http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article
=98425&d=13&m=7&y=2007&pix=kingdom.jpg&category=Kingdom

Ranil's Thoppigala statement sweet music to Prabhakaran - UNP (D-Group)

UNP Democratic Group member R. A. D. Sirisena said Ranil Wickremesinghe's statement yesterday on the capture of the LTTE stronghold Thoppigala by the Security Forces was a statement that should have ideally emanated from Velupillai Prabhakaran.

He apologised on behalf of the UNP Democratic group for the statement of the UNP Leader underestimating the achievement by the Security Forces at a press briefing held at Seth Sevana, Kirulapone yesterday.

He said that some frustrated politicians are trying to make a living by making vociferous noises about abductions but after the Government intervened to probe the matter their shouting has stopped following the disclosure that these were fabricated stories. Similarly, the story about selling 60,000 acres of land to foreigners from Wellassa is also a fabrication, he said.

Read more,
http://www.dailynews.lk/2007/07/13/pol02.asp

Govt. to develop entire East

The government yesterday said its main focus after capturing Thoppigala was to develop the entire eastern region while stressing there was no immediate move to resume peace talks.Addressing the media in Colombo Cabinet Spokesman Anura Priyadharashana Yapa said the government was in a strong position now with the LTTE losing Thoppigala – considered to be its backbone.

He said the government would pump in a large amount of money to implement major development projects that had already started in the East.

“We want to develop the East in a big way. That is why we liberated the people from Tiger clutches,” the Minister said.

Read more,
http://www.dailymirror.lk/2007/07/13/front/07.asp

Etihad plane lands in Sri Lanka after bomb scare

An Etihad Airways plane en route from Indonesia to the United Arab Emirates made an emergency landing in Sri Lanka Wednesday following a bomb scare, an airport official said.

Flight EY-471 from Jakarta to Abu Dhabi was diverted to Colombo and checked by police commandos and bomb disposal units, the official said, adding that no bomb was found.

It was not immediately clear how the alarm had been raised.

An Etihad official at the airport said the plane had been given the all clear to resume its journey.

Extracted from,
http://www.lankabusinessonline.com
/fullstory.php?newsID=1898350148&no_view=1&SEARCH_TERM=7

President Pays Tribute to the Valiant Forces

His Excellency the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed forces Mahinda Rajapaksa today (11) paid tribute to the all members of the SL Security forces who liberated Thoppigala area from the terror clutches.

Statement by President Mahinda Rajapaksa on the capture of Thoppigala, the LTTE's last stronghold in the East:

"I join the people in offering tribute and all good wishes to the members of the Armed Forces, Police and Special Task Force who, through their participation in the humanitarian exercise to free the people of the East from the clutches of terrorism, captured the last stronghold of the terrorists located at Thoppigala.

I remember with honour all heroes of war and members of the families of those who sacrificed their lives or were wounded in this exercise carried out on behalf of the country and nation.

May you be Blessed by the Triple Gem!

Extracted from,
http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20070711_06

Ranil Belittles Security Force's victory in Thoppigala

In the midst of roaring laughter of his supporters the Leader of the Opposition and the United National Party Ranil Wickremesinghe belittled the government's claim of a great military victory at Thoppigala and said it was nothing big to crow about.

"What's all this fuss about Thoppigala. It's nothing to crow about," he told a public gathering in Galle. The meeting was broadcast by the Independent Television Network run by the state with other interviews condemning his statement.

But in a different interview Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam ( LTTE) military spokesman Rasiah Ilantheriyan admitted that the LTTE has received a defeat.

Ilantheriyan in an interview with Roland Burke of the BBC when asked whether the LTTE has received a defeat said that , "In a way yes. From a point of view it is a defeat." since the government forces have gained a greater control of the Eastern Province.

Ranil Wickremesinghe in contrast said Thoppigala is only a big jungle bigger than the Colombo District. He asked "how many times we captured that area."

Read more,
http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20070712_01

NGO life jackets found on LTTE boats

Social Services and Social Welfare Minister Lionel Premasiri has instructed relevant authorities to investigate the incident where eight life jackets belonging to an NGO were found on LTTE boats seized by the Navy recently, a Social Services and Social Welfare Ministry spokesman said.

He said that when questioned, the NGO informed the Minister that the life jackets were given during the tsunami disaster responding to a request made by the Fisheries and Water Resources Department and the NGO will shortly produce the name list of recipients.

The organisation has also informed the Deputy Minister that they regret that the humanitarian aid given to civilians did not reach them and is now being used for terrorist activities.

Deputy Minister Premasiri will follow the investigation closely, he added.

Extracted from,
http://www.dailynews.lk/2007/07/12/news26.asp

LTTE looses Baron's cap; Troops reach Thoppigala

Commandos and soldiers of the SL Army have reached the Baron's Cap (Thoppigala) few hours ago, said Defence sources in the East. With this victory, troops have captured the "nerve centre" of the LTTE terrorists' in their last stronghold in the Eastern province.

Meanwhile, the troops have also gained the full control over Narakamula, and Tharavikulama areas where, the LTTE leadership had its' Eastern headquarters and other fortifications.

The victorious soldiers are presently clearing enemy "pockets" scattered in the dense jungle and are pursuing the LTTE cadres who are on the run.

Extracted from,
http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20070711_03

Ambassador Brattskar to visit Kilinochchi tomorrow

Norwegian Ambassador Hans Brattskar is to visit Kilinochchi tomorrow (11), to which the Sri Lankan Government has given its consent.

Peace Secretariat chief Professor Rajiva Wijesinghe speaking to the Government official website said that the Peace Secretariat received the request from Ambassador Brattskar yesterday afternoon (09).

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Defence Ministry approved the request and the Operations Unit of the Peace Secretariat will be arranging the logistics,” Professor Wijesinghe added.

To ensure the security of the Diplomats it was brought in to an understanding that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs need to be informed and approval taken for such visits, aftermath the LTTE mortar attack targeting a group of Diplomats on an assessment visit of the rebuilding eastern sector, during late February this year at Batticaloa.

Ambassador Brattskar is expected to be holding discussions with the LTTE political section during his visit.

extracted from,
http://www.news.lk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2866&Itemid=44

After Two Years, Lankan Officials Move in Rizana Case

A high-level Sri Lankan delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Hussein Bhaila will arrive here soon to make a personal appeal for clemency to the parents of an infant that died under the care of a Sri Lankan woman who came to Saudi Arabia after turning 17, allegedly with documents forged by the employment recruiter that gave a false date of birth.

“As a democratic country, we respect the laws of the host country,” Bhaila told Arab News. “However, we want to make a personal appeal to the parents to consider a pardon for this girl who had committed the murder when she was a minor.”

In May 2005, Rizana Nafeek was assigned to take care of a Saudi family’s infant child. After two weeks on the job, the child died under her care. The parents said that Rizana strangled the child to death.

Sri Lankan officials said that Rizana initially confessed to the crime while in custody, but that during the trial she explained that the confession — which was allegedly made shortly after her arrest at a police station with no translators (Rizana doesn’t speak Arabic) — was made under pressure of the moment.

Read more,
http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1&section=
0&article=98340&d=10&m=7&y=2007&pix=kingdom.jpg&category=Kingdom

Sydney man arrested in Tamil terror probe

A Sydney man is facing extradition to Melbourne after being charged with terrorism offences relating to alleged funding of the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka.

The 41-year-old man, arrested this morning, is the third Australian of Tamil origins to be charged with both being a member of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and giving the groups funds.

Extracted from,
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=277667&rss=yes

Sri Lanka Telecom call charges reduced

Sri Lanka Supreme Court today approved a proposal submitted by the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (TRC) to reduce the fixed charge of the Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) telephones.

The TRC proposal was allowed when a petition filed by the Lanka Consumers Association was taken for consideration today.

As a result, the fixed charge of the domestic telephone will be decreased from current Rs. 495 to Rs. 350 and the business telephone fixed charge will trim down to Rs. 950 from current Rs. 1250. SLT said that the reduction is 8.7%. The relevant billing is valid from January 01st this year.

Telephone call charges are also to be reduced accordingly.

Extracted from,
http://www.colombopage.com/archive_07/July9165820SL.html

Sea battle kills LTTE Intelligence leader and 9 others

The navy intercepted fleeing LTTE cadres killing a senior Sea Tiger Intelligence leader and nine others in a fierce fight which erupted in the seas off Pulmodai, defence sources said.

According to defence sources, LTTE communications intercepts revealed that senior sea Tiger Intelligence leader Neelan bearing LTTE ID card no: 0018 and nine other Sea Tigers were killed on Saturday in the sea battle between the Navy and the LTTE in Trincomalee.

Navy personnel operating north of Trincomalee on Saturday confronted a group of LTTE cadres suspected to be fleeing Thoppigala.

Read more,
http://www.news.lk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2856&Itemid=44

Troops capture Tora Bora camp

Advancing government troops yesterday captured LTTE’s strategically important ‘Tora Bora’ camp of the Four-six base in Narakamulla west, a few miles away from Thoppigala, while the LTTE’s Eastern Mortar Leader was killed during the latest clashes in the area, a military official said.

He said the Tigers were now confined to about 50 to 60 square kilometers.

Meanwhile, the Air Force bombed three LTTE targets in the Thoppigala area yesterday afternoon.

A senior military official in the area said the ‘Tora Bora’ camp was one of the main Tiger training bases in the region.

“Commandos seized the strategically important training base, which had been in existence for several years training a large number of cadres,” the official said. The camp was captured after nearly 15 years.

Read more,
http://www.dailymirror.lk/2007/07/10/front/01.asp

Minor Sri Lankan Muslim Girl was sentenced to death by three Saudi judges on a confession under duress

Miss Rizana Nafeek , a 17 year old Muslim house maid from Sri Lanka has been sentenced to death by a Saudi Arabian court of three judges on a confession obtained under duress by the Saudi Arabian police, the girl has complained.

The poor Muslim girl had been sent to Saudi Arabia misstating her age by a crooked job agency that added six years to her age to make her a house maid to do household chores and her master wanted her to baby sit their four months old infant in addition to the other endless work, for which task she had been never trained, it has been also revealed.

The infant died while the teenager was bottle feeding the baby and the police coerced Nafeek to give a confession that she killed the baby, under which the three Saudi judges sentenced her to death, she has revealed, to Sri Lankan embassy officials.

Read more,
http://www.asiantribune.com/index.php?q=node/6463

MTNL close to acquiring Lanka outfit

MTNL is close to buying Sri Lankan fixed-line operator Suntel and has sent a high-level delegation to start technical assessment of the company.

The delegation has left for Sri Lanka to hold discussions with Suntel on technical assessment, which is a pre-requisite to formalise the deal, company sources said.

The delegation will be in the country for four days to conduct due diligence along with Suntel officials, they said. MTNL is believed to have emerged as the highest bidder for Suntel with a bid of between $160 million and $180 million.

If the deal goes through, this will be the NYSE-listed company’s first acquisition. It will also give MTNL a foothold in Sri Lanka’s fast-growing telecom market.

Read more,
http://telegraphindia.com/1070709/asp/business/story_8033082.asp

International community 'silent' over LTTE's killings

The People's Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE) has blamed the international community for indirectly encouraging the LTTE to create a culture of human violations in the country by maintaining a 'silence' over the killings and abductions by terrorists.

The Leader of the PLOTE Dharmalingam Sithadthan told the 'Sunday Observer' that today the whole world is talking about human rights violations in Sri Lanka and at the beginning of the ceasefire agreement (CFA) and after the LTTE killed hundreds of people but not a single voice was raised by the international community or INGOs against them.

"A large number of people, including the cadres belonging to other groups who did not support the LTTE were killed and kidnapped but not a single voice was raised by them. Now they have made a big issue out of it", he said.

Sithadthan also said that 'white van' kidnappings had still not been proved and lots of underworld elements were in operation in the country.

Read more,
http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2007/07/08/sec01.asp

JVP rejects Mangala’s invitation

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) had flatly refused an invitation extended to them by the Mangala Samaraweera led Sri Lanka Freedom Party (Mahajana Wing) to participate at the forthcoming rally on July 26 against the government saying that such a move would only benefit the main opposition United National Party (UNP).

“The UNP is very much responsible for the state that the country is in today. The government’s behaviour should change and a correct leadership should be provided.

But the UNP cannot provide that leadership,” JVP general secretary Tilvin Silva told former Ministers Samaraweera and Sripathi Sooriyarachchi during a meeting on Wednesday at the JVP head office.

He further said that the decision by the two ex-ministers to leave the government was the correct move, but now by uniting with the UNP, their decision has been undermined.

Read more,
http://www.nation.lk/2007/07/08/news13.htm

Sri Lankan president vows to help British fight against terrorism

Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapaksa has written to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown expressing solidarity and vowing to fight terrorism, reports said Friday.

'I write to express my solidarity with you, your government and the people of Britain at this critical time when your country faces an unprecedented threat of terrorism,' President Rajapaksa said in his message.

'I am glad and relieved that the British police were able to thwart the recent inter-linked terrorist threats in Britain preventing a situation of great tragedy, and wish them similar success in the future,' the letter said.

Read more,
http://news.monstersandcritics.com/southasia/news/article_1326879.php/
Sri_Lankan_president_vows_to_help_British_fight_against_terrorism

Terrorism makes negotiations difficult - Rohitha Bogollagama

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama took office after his predecessor was assassinated by suspected Tamil Tigers in 2005. During his visit to Nepal this week, he made a pilgrimage to Lumbini and spoke to Nepali Times on Tuesday after meeting Prime Minister Girija Koirala.

.....What is the status of the Sri Lankan peace process, and how confident are you that things will be back on track?
We are a very resilient country despite all the internal and external shocks. The peace process is nothing new, we have been in this process since the 1982 Thimphu talks and the 1987 Indo-Lanka accord. The government has addressed the need for constitutional reforms and today we are looking for a process of counter-terrorism for lasting and sustained peace. As long as there is terrorism, negotiations are difficult.

But weren’t these concerns a part of the 2002 agreement? What went wrong?
That was a technical agreement, the focus was to put a stop to violence and convert that into a peace process. But when you try to do that, it has to be designed in such a way that it can bring parity to both sides, so one party is not put in an advantageous position. That is what went wrong. The LTTE was able to arm itself, openly oust the law enforcement bodies, and consolidate its position....

Read full interview here,
http://www.nepalitimes.com/issue/356/Interview/13720

Air Force Jets strike at Terror Targets- Mannar and Thoppigala

SL Air Force fighter jets carried out three air raids targeting LTTE positions at Thoppigala and an LTTE camp at Palampiddi in Mannar this morning (06). According to the Media Centre for National Security (MCNS), the air raids were conducted at 6:15 a.m. at Mannar and 6:20 a.m. at Thoppigala respectively. The pilots have confirmed that the targets had been achieved successfully.

Meanwhile, the troops who have commenced the last phase of the humanitarian mission to liberate Eastern province from the terror clutches moved further in to the LTTE dominated ground at Narakamulla yesterday (05). Defence sources said, that the air raids are being conducted to assist the ground advance by destroying remaining terror positions.

Extracted from,
http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20070706_01

Bank accounts of LTTE London leader frozen

A British Court yesterday froze all bank accounts of London LTTE king pin Shanthan alias Krishnatha Kumar and of his wife.

The Westminster Court which ruled on the matter also ordered that indictment against Shanthan be served before July 30. Since hard core criminals of the calibre of Shanthan are not produced before British law courts in person, video footage of the suspect was screened at the Westminster Court before the ruling was made.

A plea by a law firm that the suspect be granted bail was also rejected by Court.

Britain's Anti- Terrorism Unit had filed 28 charges against Shanthan including extortion, operation of business enterprises, printing press and oil storages with ill-gotten wealth.

Those employed at these enterprises were exclusively LTTE members, it was revealed.

The money earned by these business ventures as at July 2 is a staggering 4 billion sterling pounds.

The money thus earned had been utilised to purchase weapons to attack the Lankan Navy from China and Israel and outfits such as PPK.

Read more,
http://www.dailynews.lk/2007/07/06/sec02.asp

Sri Lanka getting ready to hold local government elections in the newly liberated East

Sri Lanka Cabinet of Ministers today decided to nullify the previously called nominations for several local government bodies in the Eastern Province.

The decision coincided with the government’s expressed intention to hold democratic elections in the Eastern province after the whole terrain would be freed from the hold of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

Accordingly, the nominations received for the 2006 local government elections in one urban council and eight Pradeshiya Sabhas in the Eastern province will be nullified. Janaka Bandara Tennakoon, Minister of Local Government and Provincial Councils submitted the cabinet paper in this regard.

Read more,
http://www.colombopage.com/archive_07/July5180618SL.html

Mihin Travel 40% below other airlines

Chief Government Whip Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle yesterday told Parliament the establishment of Mihin Air by the Government has enabled Sri Lankans to travel to several countries at 40 per cent below the air fares charged by other airline services.

"At present, Mihin Air has commenced its operations to several destinations from Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA). Therefore as Sri Lankans, we should be proud and happy about the establishment of this airline serviced by the Government," the Minister said.

Responding to an oral question raised by JVP MP Anura Dissanayake whether the Government has transformed money belonging to Lankaputhra Development Bank to Mihin Air, Fernandopulle said Mihin Air is the only airline owned by the Government.

Mihin Air has started flight operations to Dubai, India, the Maldives and Bangkok compared with other airline services charges of Mihin Air is 40 per cent less than the other airline services, the Minister said.

Read more,
http://www.dailynews.lk/2007/07/06/news03.asp

No peace initiative, says Colombo

Sri Lanka on Wednesday refuted reports in a section of the press that it had launched “fresh initiatives” for peace and declared that the military offensive against the threat posed by the Tamil Tigers would continue.

Defence spokesman and Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told a news conference here that there was no truth in the reports that the Government had asked Norway to reach out to the LTTE leadership in Kilinochchi to explore the possibility of peace.

Four days ago, most of the local newspapers carried reports suggesting that on the eve of the Sri Lanka Co-Chairs meeting in Oslo on June 26, President Mahinda Rajapaksa conveyed a message to Norwegian Special Envoy John Hanssen Bauer that his Government was ready for talks with the Tigers.

Read more,
http://www.hindu.com/2007/07/05/stories/2007070551401400.htm

Sri Lanka has proved to the world that LTTE can be defeated

Sri Lanka has proved to the world that LTTE can be defeated and they are not a force that they claim to be.

The Sri Lankans knew this from the beginning but it was the International community and the supporters of terrorists who were boasting of a formidable LTTE.

Now that Sri Lankan Defense Forces have completely freed the east from the LTTE, it is making the LTTE and its stooges very uneasy. They have started to attack the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) and its military in various fronts.

The bogus human right violation charges are one aspect of it.

Read more,
http://www.lankaweb.com/news/items07/020707-7.html

Risk of Government deciding to quit the war - Wimal Weerawansha

Wimal Weerawansa, General Secretary of the Patriotic National Movement, addressing a media conference today, at Colombo, said that there a risk that the government taking a decision to stop military operations.

In the east the security forces have successfully achieved victories, and the areas held by Wanni Tigers are now cleared, which has made imperialists upset, he explained.

Owing to this the so called Co-Chairs urged the government to let John Hanssen Bauer the special envoy of Royal Norwegian Government to go to Kilinochchi. The government's decision to allow him reaching Kilinochchi has emerged greater suspicions, Mr. Weerawansha said.

Extracted from,
http://www.lankatruth.com/full_story/2007/July/02/20070702_8.htm

Buddhist TV channel a celebration of India-Lanka ties

The satellite TV channel The Buddhist, inaugurated by the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Colombo on Friday, would be a celebration of the ancient cultural and religious ties between Sri Lanka and India, a top Sri Lankan official said.

"The coming into existence of this channel on the 2315th anniversary of the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka from India, is symbolic of the inalienable and irreversible ties between the peoples of the two countries," the Secretary to the President, Lalith Weeratunga told Hindustan Times.

It was Prince Mahinda, son Emperor Ashoka of India, who brought Buddhism to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BC.

Read more,
http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=

Major funding blow for LTTE

Canada, which has increasingly become a fertile ground for supplying funds for the LTTE has announced new laws to combat money laundering and financing terrorist activities.

“Canada’s government will be relentless in its efforts to prevent money laundering and terrorist” funding, said Jim Flaherty, the country’s Finance Minister announcing the new regulations to fight terrorism.

The LTTE, an organization that flourished under the former Liberal government of Canada is a proscribed terrorist organization under the new conservative government but the LTTE is allegedly funding and engaging in money laundering for Sri Lanka‘s terrorism, operating under varied front organizations.

The new regulations are expected to combat, the LTTE, Al-Queda and other terrorist organizations banned under Canadian law.

Read more,
http://www.nation.lk/2007/07/01/news10.htm

Bandaranaike wants to see women in peacekeeping role

The former President of Sri Lanka, Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, on June 26 called for women to play an active role in crisis management and peacekeeping around the globe.

Speaking before the European Parliament’s Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality in Brussels, Bandaranaike proposed to the European Union to consider sending women when the European bloc undertakes peace missions.

“Women have a completely different perspective on conflict resolution. Women by the very nature of historic role have special aptitude for alleviating conflict,” she argued.

“Today one of the most important subjects is conflict and conflict resolution. Women have not had a role in conflict resolution, not even in the West,” she asserted.

Read more,
http://www.neurope.eu/view_news.php?id=75616