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.

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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).

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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.

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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.

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