Sri Lankan opposition leader obstructed from attending parliament

Sri Lanka's main opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe told parliament here Thursday that he was obstructed from attending parliament by a noisy demonstration.

Wickremesinghe made the announcement as the island's parliament resumed its sittings Thursday after its recess since early May.

Speaker W. J. M. Lokubanadara said that an investigation will be made into the incident.

A group of government supporters held a noisy demonstration accusing the main opposition leader of acting against the government.

He was branded a supporter of the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) who seek a separate homeland for the minority Tamil community in the island's Northern and Eastern Provinces.

Wickremesinghe alleged that his way into parliament was blocked by the pro-government demonstrators.

Extracted from,
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-06/05/content_8318060.htm

Lanka benefitted by Israeli assistance - Minister Warnapala

Israeli assistance has helped Sri Lanka immensely in its efforts to safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity, said Higher Education Minister Wiswa Warnapala.

The Minister expressed these sentiments when he met Israel Ambassador Mark Sofer at the Higher Education Ministry yesterday.

Israel has come to our assistance several times during the last two decades in times of crisis. Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka paid an official visit to Israel and held extensive talks with Israeli President, Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister’s proposal on “Business and investment opportunities in Sri Lanka was well received by the business circles in Israel at a well attended seminar organised by the Israel-Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce and the Israel-Asia chamber of Commerce, based in Tel Aviv.

“During this visit an agreement of cooperation in the field of culture, education and science was signed between Israel and Sri Lanka.

This cooperation between the two countries should be extended to other fields including trade, commerce and investments Minister Professor Wiswa Warnapala, said.

Minister Warnapala said Israel is one of the first countries that came to our assistance in the aftermath of tsunami.

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http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/06/03/news29.asp