Hindraf faces ban: has 'links with India's RSS, Lanka's LTTE'

The Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), a Malaysian rights group, has "links" with India's "militant organisation" Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) and Sri Lanka's Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a Malaysian minister has alleged.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohamed Nazri Aziz said "the groups are Sri Lanka's LTTE and the RSS, a militant organisation in India", The Star newspaper said Saturday.

Nazri said this was from statements of Hindraf leaders "who went overseas to garner support that they would meet LTTE leaders".

The supposed links with the LTTE, declared a terrorist group in the US, Britain,India and other countries, could lead to a ban on Hindraf, which spearheaded a massive protest by ethnic Indians last Sunday, a media report said Saturday quoting Attorney General (AG) Abdul Gani Patail.

However, Hindraf leader P. Uthayakumar has denied that his organization has established any contact with the LTTE and has termed the government charge "baseless" and part of a campaign.

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http://www.indianmuslims.info/news/2007/dec/08/

Sri Lankan president to visit Japan

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa will pay a three-day official visit to Japan on the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda from Dec. 9 to 11, the Daily News reported Saturday.

The visit will widen existing bilateral relations between the two countries in the economic, political, social, cultural and religious fields, said the government's official newspaper.

Rajapaksa will hold bilateral talks with Fukuda and other Japanese leaders during his visit, the newspaper added.

The Japanese government appointed Yasushi Akashi as a special peace envoy in November 2002 to facilitate the peace process between the Sri Lankan government and Tamil Tiger rebels.

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http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-12/08/content_7218331.htm

Sri Lanka's Micro Cars to export SUVs to India

Sri Lankan car company Micro Cars Ltd will export locally assembled South Korean Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) SsangYong Kyron to India from next year.

"There is a demand for quality SUVs in India," Micro Cars Managing Director Lawrence Perera told reporters here.

The company has already sent test vehicles to India and received "very good" response, he said, adding Micro Cars would export its locally assembled Kyron SUVs to India from next year.

The company is manufacturing two SUV type vehicles with the price staring from 7.5 million Sri lankan Rupees (around 68,000 dollars).

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http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Auto/

Kumble confident that Murali will get 1000 wickets

India's captain and most successful bowler Anil Kumble is confident that Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan would be able to claim 1000 Test scalps in his career.

Just a few days ago, Murali became the world's highest wicket-taker.

"I spoke to Murali yesterday. And I told him he would get to 1000 Test wickets. He is a good bowler. It's a big achievement," Kumble said at the customary media conference after the second Test between India and Pakistan ended in a draw.

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http://www.cricketzone.com/news/news_face_to_face/2007-12-05-1940.html

Murali visits Lankan President

Legendary off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan had a special day when he took his parents along for a meeting with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse's at his residence here.

The President congratulated Muralitharan for claiming the world record for the highest number of Test wickets and presented him with a car donated by Sri Lanka Cricket.

Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake, Parliamentary Speaker WJM Lokubandara and Sports Minister Gamini Lokuge were also present on the occasion on Friday.

The members of the visiting England cricket team were also present.

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http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/007200712081834.htm