Marking 20 years anniversary of the Aranthalawa assassination

The twenty year commemoration of the Aranthalawa assassination of 31Buddhist monks is falling on the 02nd June 2007. The tragic occurrence will be commemorated with a series of special programmes.

Addressing a media briefing on the Commemoration Programme, the Advisor of the Aranthalawa Commemoration Fund, Ven. Dr. Kiridiwala Somarathana Thera, stated that the programme ‘Aranthalawen Mihinthalawata’ will be conducted under the guidance of the Public Trustee Department.

According to Somarathana Thera, the aim of these programmes is to educate the global community of the brutality of the war created by the self- centered Tiger terrorists while eliminating them and implementing peace and calamity for all the ethnic and religious groups in Sri Lanka.

20 years ago, on 02nd June 1987, 31 Buddhist monks were assassinated by the LTTE.

31 children will be ordained at the Sri Vidyananda Viharaya in Ampara, on 02nd June 2007 to commemorate the assassination.

Also addressing the occasion, Ven. Iginiyagala Sagara thera stated that terrorism should be rejected because it’s motives is not for being a liberator to anyone but to gain profit to themselves.

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Devolution of Power should be done at provincial level- UNP democratic group

The leader of the UNP democratic group Minister Karu Jayasooriya today announced the group's proposals to the national problem.

Speaking at a media briefing in Colombo, Minister Jayasooriya said that his group is in the view that the devolution of power should be best done at provincial level as stated in the 13th amendment to the constitution.

The minister also noted that the proposals have already been handed over to the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) Chairman Professor Thissa Vitharana.

Meanwhile, Minster Rajitha Senarathne told that the group had to submit separate proposals from UNP as the party does not allow democracy. He further explained that the UNP's leader Ranil Wickramasinghe will design the proposals to represent his personal view rather than the party's view.

Minister Jayasooriya, pointed out that the aim of the group's proposal is to enable the any SL citizen to live any part of the country free from fear and discrimination. He reiterated that his group, while condemning terrorism and communalism, will continue to support the government in its war against terrorism.

Extracted from,
http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20070522_06

SLT shares: Govt rejects allegations

Leader of the House, Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva totally rejected the accusation levelled against the Government with regard to the selling of Sri Lanka Telecom shares vested within NTT company of Japan to Malaysian based Global Telecom Holdings.

He also stated that Government will come out with a comprehensive reply regarding these allegations during the full day debate on the Telecom issue.

The Leader of the House agreed with JVP MP Wimal Weerawansa’s request to have a full day debate.

Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said JVP Parliamentary Group Leader Wimal Weerawansa can bring the matter before the commission to Investigate Bribery if he has reliable evidence to prove someone from the Government engaged in an undue transaction to give approval to sell the shares to the Malaysian company.

Expressing views Posts and Telecommunications Minister Rauff Hakeem said no final decision has been taken with regard to the sale of NTT shares to Global Telecommunications Holdings of Malaysia.

http://www.dailynews.lk/2007/05/23/pol01.asp

Sri Lanka gift Moody goodbye win

Dilhara Fernando, an accurate set of throws and the omnipresent panic button accompanying the Pakistan team earned Sri Lanka a well-deserved victory in the final match of the ODI series in Abu Dhabi and avoid a series whitewash.

Fernando captured three wickets, including two-in-two, and Tillakaratne Dilshan inflicted two direct hits as Pakistan lost their way after a relatively decent start. Shoaib Malik showed the responsibility of a captain, but was left stranded on 79 as, bar Rao Iftikhar Anjum, no one provided any resistance....

The victory sealed a perfect send off to Tom Moody, Sri Lanka's out-going coach, and also marks the end of a hectic schedule for Sri Lanka who barely had any rest after their hugely successful World Cup campaign. However, based on the display of energy and commitment shown in the field tonight, Moody leaves behind a team well equipped to take on mighty challenges in the future even without the services of their star performers.

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Setusamudram project: SC refuses stay

The Supreme Court has refused to grant interim stay against the implementation of Setusamudram shipping canal project which will distroy the barrier called Ramsetu, believed to have been constructed by Lord Rama and his vanar sena to cross the sea from Rameshwaram to Sri Lanka which was ruled by the demon king Ravana.

A vacation bench comprising Justices Arijit Pasayat and D K Jain, however, fixed May 28 for hearing of the writ petition filed by Dandi Swami Vidyananda Bharti and others.

The petitioners contended before the court that the Ramsetu situated in southeast of Rameshwaram near Pamban which connects Talaimanar coast of Sri Lanka commands great respect among the majority of the population of the country.

According to the Hindu mythology the setu was built by Lord Rama to free his wife Sita from the captivity of the demon king Ravana who had abducted her.

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