Sri Lanka opposition targets to defeat the budget at third reading

Sri Lanka major opposition United National Party (UNP) sources say that the party will attempt to defeat the budget at the vote of the third reading which is scheduled to be held on December 14.

UNP MP Lakshman Kiriella issuing a statement accused the government of spending a massive amount of money and threatening some MPs to win the budget at the second reading.

The government won the budget with a majority of 16 votes yesterday. All the government coalition parties voted in support of the budget while UNP, People’s Liberation Front (JVP), Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and Western People’s Front (WPF) voted against it. MPs Wijedasa Rajapakse, Nandana Gunathilaka and two TNA MPs abstained from voting.

Extracted from,
http://www.colombopage.com/archive_07/November20114525SL.html

TNCC demands stern action against LTTE supporters

Taking a cue from the critical remarks by the AICC over a poem by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi eulogising slain senior LTTE leader S P Tamil Selvan, the TNCC on Monday demanded stern action by the state government against the supporters of the banned outfit.

TNCC president M Krishnaswamy, attending office for the first time after he was attacked by unidentified persons near Mathukalathur in Ramanathapuram district on October 29, told reporters today that the activities of LTTE supporters should not be tolerated.

He said the "elements", praising the slain LTTE political wing secretary Tamilselvan, should be dealt with firmly.

The AICC in a resolution had said that sentiments were bound to get hurt by such eulogies.

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http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200711191542.htm

Presidential Commission to probe Athukorale's death

Chief Government whip Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle told Parliament yesterday that President Mahinda Rajapaksa has decided to appoint a special Presidential Commission to investigate the sudden death of former UNP General Secretary and Ratnapura District MP Gamini Athukorale.

President Rajapaksa has made this decision paying special attention towards the statement made by Ratnapura District UNP MP Thalatha Athukorale regarding the pledges made on Presidential Commission to probe the sudden death of Gamini Athukorale.

Minister Fernandopulle told Parliament that President has conveyed his decision to the Government Parliament Group Meeting.

Read more,
http://www.dailynews.lk/2007/11/20/pol04.asp

Lankan banks to track pornography payments

Worried over the spread of Internet child pornography through paid websites, leading banks in Sri Lanka have decided to track down payments made for viewing such sites.

The programme, launched today to coincide with Universal Children's Day is aimed at eradicating the menace of child pornography, an official said.

Speaking at the gathering, the central bank governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal expressed concern over the menace.

"The Internet has done a lot of good things for the banking sector and it will continue to provide us with greater opportunities in the future but, we also find that the Internet provides us with bad features as well," the Daily Mirror reported quoting Cabraal.

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http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/articles.asp

Atapattu announces his retirement

Marvan Atapattu, one of Sri Lanka's finest batsmen, has finished his eventful tour of Australia by ending his international career. Atapattu announced his retirement in a letter to Duleep Mendis, the Sri Lanka Cricket chief executive, before lunch on the final day of the second Test in Hobart.

He was due to face a hearing on his return to Sri Lanka for his outburst during the opening match in Brisbane when he said the Sri Lankan selectors were "muppets headed by a joker". Despite the complaints about the administration, he retained the support of his team-mates and signed off with a satisfying 80 as he gave Sri Lanka a chance of saving the second Test.

The decision is not a surprise as there have been reports he will lead Delhi Jets in the Indian Cricket League and he is also considering playing for the St George club in Sydney grade cricket.

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http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/ausvsl/content/current/story/321194.html