SRI LANKAN MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO CONSPIRACY TO PROVIDE MATERIAL SUPPORT TO A FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATION AND ATTEMPTED EXPORT OF ARMS

Thirunavukarasu Varatharasa, age 37, a citizen of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization and attempted exportation of arms and munitions, announced U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein.

U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein said, “Mr. Varatharasa is the last defendant to be convicted in this plot to attempt to obtain military weapons in violation of American law. We are committed to using all available legal tools to prevent terrorism.”

“Today’s case reflects ICE’s commitment to keeping U.S. weapons and technology out of the hands of terrorists,” said Julie Myers, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Assistant Secretary. “Every day our Arms and Strategic Technology Investigations are targeting profiteers who jeopardize national and international security by selling critical weapons and technologies. Those engaged in these illicit activities share a significant burden of responsibility for the instability and violence that can come from the sale of these items.”

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http://media-newswire.com/release_1049516.html

Moody leaves Sri Lanka to coach Western Australia

Tom Moody has quit as coach of Sri Lanka's cricket squad to take over at Western Australia next season, the WA Cricket Association said here Monday...

In Colombo, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirmed that Moody was leaving at the end of his contract this month, for "personal and family commitments".

"Sri Lanka Cricket regrets that Tom Moody has to leave our services and (we) respect his decision," SLC said in a statement.

Moody was quoted in the cricket board release saying that parting company was a "difficult decision given the strong relationships built between Sri Lanka Cricket and myself."

"However, I would be more than happy to assist in whichever way I possibly can for the continuous success of Sri Lanka Cricket."

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http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/fullstory.php?newsID=
738638895&no_view=1&SEARCH_TERM=34

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The buddhist monk killed by LTTE -Government

The Chief Monk of the Thabbatharama Vihare has been shot dead yesterday morning by two unidentified LTTE gunmen.

Venerable Hadungamuwe Nandarathna Thero of Mahadivulwewa, in Morawewa, approximately 40kilometers north east of Anuradhapura, was the Head Priest of the 'Sri Pabbattharamaya' Buddhist temple in Mahadivulwewa.

Eyewitnesses in the area have stated that two LTTE gunmen who came on two motor cycles had shot dead the Monk. The motive of the killing was not known.

The monk, who spoke fluent Tamil could deliver sermons in that language. He was very popular among the Tamil community in the area.

This is yet another incident where LTTE carried out their brutal mission targeting the clergy. Earlier, the LTTE terrorists brutally killed the Head priest of the Pulliar Hindu Temple at Sandiveli in Batticaloa, on 07th February.

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http://www.news.lk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2359&Itemid=44

http://www.hindu.com/2007/05/14/stories/2007051403131400.htm

http://www.asiantribune.com/index.php?q=node/5707

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Indian Navy Increases Surveillance of Palk Straits; To Deploy Extra UAVs

In the wake of "spillover of ongoing skirmishes between the Sri Lankan Navy and the Sea Tigers of the LTTE into Indian waters," the Indian Navy has increased surveillance in the Palk Strait, a top Naval official said today.

Vice-Admiral Raman Prem Suthan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, told reporters here that the number of Naval ships patrolling the area had been increased from two to four while an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was also keeping vigil. "Two more UAVs will be pressed into service soon," he said.

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http://www.india-defence.com/reports-3190

Rally round Defence Secretary - MNA

The Secretary-General of the Muslim National Alliance (MNA) Nazeer Ahmed castigated the action of the United National Party (UNP) leader as being terribly unpatriotic when he criticised Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa’s performance of duties.

“At a time like this all true patriotic Sri Lankans must rally round the Defence Secretary and give him all the moral support to save the country from anarchy,” he said.

Issuing a media statement, he said that at a time where all forces must support the government one cannot appreciate the action of the UNP and making complaints to foreign heads.

“I find it hard to fathom this campaign of the opposition leader when the country is on fire and UNP leader’s action is very much like Nero fiddling while Rome was burning,” he added.

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http://www.dailynews.lk/2007/05/14/news26.asp