Sri Lanka Latest News

Friday, May 25, 2007

over 40 LTTE cadres killed during last 72 hours

The LTTE terrorists continue to suffer heavy loses as the security forces at Northern, Eastern and Wanni fronts are further consolidating their defences using novel anti-terror tactics.

According to the latest information received by the radio monitoring elements of the security forces at least 40 LTTE cadres, including 7 very senior cadres were killed during last 72 hours.

According to the latest information the self styled "Colonel" Nagulan, the person in charge of LTTE's Charles Anthony band; "Major" Maniwannan Master, the LTTE's intelligence coordinator for Batticaloa and; LTTE female cadre Mala, a senior member of LTTE's Sothiya band were also among the dead LTTE cadres.

Two photographs taken of themselves with terror chief V. Prbakaran were also found with two dead LTTE cadres. The bodies were later handed over to the ICRC.

Meanwhile, naval officials rejected the LTTE's claim that 35 naval personnel were killed during the battle as weird exaggeration.

According to the naval sources only four naval personnel were killed and four others were injured.

‘Lanka’ Sunday edition temporarily suspends publication

The ‘Lanka’ newspaper Sunday edition has been temporarily suspended publication due to a financial crisis beyond its control, co-editors of the paper Tissa Nihal Wickramasinghe and Dharma Sri Kariyawasam announced in a joint statement issued yesterday.

The statement added that the financial crisis which occurred due to lack of large-scale capital investment adequate advertising and a printing press of its own aggravated due to the inflationary situation which occured in the country during the past few months.

However, since necessary steps were being taken to overcome this situation, the management has decided to resume publication of the paper soon.

LTTE had come so close to the Indian border to attack the Sri Lankan Navy

The Indian Navy has strengthened patrolling along the International Maritime Border Line in order to prevent any "spill-over impact" in the aftermath of LTTE's attack on a Sri Lankan naval base at Delft Island.

"The Navy has already moved its war ships towards the northern direction of the IMBL off Rameswaram coast," a top official of the IB told PTI.

The Delft Island is the nearest inhabited island from Rameswaram coast and just a quarter nautical mile from the border.

"A ship is moving from south towards north and we are closely watching the developments. Patrolling has been strengthened to prevent any spill-over impact (of yesterday's incident)," he said.

It was for the first time that LTTE had come so close to the Indian border to attack the Sri Lankan Navy, he said.

parliament in uproar over security situation

Sri Lanka's parliament was in uproar on Thursday as the main opposition demanded a debate on the island's security situation.

Parliamentary officials said the session was adjourned twice in the pre lunch period as the main opposition United National Party (UNP) asked that parliament have a debate on what they termed the country's grave security situation.

Ramalingam Chandrasekeran, the deputy chairman of committees (the third highest position in parliament) who was presiding parliament adjourned the sessions when the UNP and the government MPs started shouting.

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe argued that holding a debate on the situation was an urgent matter.

But the Chief Government Whip Jeyaraj Fernandopulle argued that such a debate cannot be granted as the house was discussing another adjournment issue.

Trade between Pakistan, Sri Lanka to touch 1 bn dollar in next 5 years: High Commissioner for Pakistan

Bilateral trade between Pakistan and Sri Lanka is rapidly growing and will reach one billion dollar mark in the next five years, High commissioner for Pakistan to Sri Lanka Shahzad A. Chaudhry said.

Speaking at a programme organized by the National Chamber of Exporters in Colombo the other day, he said there is a sharp increase in bilateral trade after signing of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries in 2005.

According to a message received here, he said trade, which was around 35 million dollars before signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), now crossed 200 million dollar mark.

FM on a visit to Iran tomorrow

Minister of Foreign Affairs Rohitha Bogollagama and Minister of Petroleum and Petroleum Resources Development A.H.M. Fowzie, will undertake a two-day official visit to Iran from tomorrow (25th).

During this visit the two Ministers will call on Iranian President Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and will also meet his Iranian counterpart Mr. Manouchehr Mottaki.

Minister Bogollagama will be inaugurating the Sri Lanka Iran - Business Council on Sunday 27th May 2007 at the Sri Lankan Embassy in Tehran. The objective of the Sri Lanka - Iran Business Council is to attract prospective investors to promote tea and other products as well as tourism in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka, as a country in the Indian Ocean and Iran, in the Persian Gulf region are conducive for improvement of bilateral relations and co-operation in the economic field and other areas of bilateral interest.

Read more,
http://www.lankamission.org/other%20pages/News/2007/May/2007-05-24
FM%20on%20a%20visit%20to%20Iran%20tomorrow.htm

Thursday, May 24, 2007

LTTE terrorist attack at Army bus - Colombo

Suspected LTTE suicide bomber has rammed a bus carrying army personnel on the first cross street in Colombo fort around 9:00 a.m today, Thursday the 24th of May.

According to the available information the suicide bomber had come from an explosive laden mortar bike.

Hospital sources said five injured have so far been admitted to the national hospital in Colombo.

Extracted from,
http://defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20070524_01

http://www.lankaenews.com/Sinhala/news.php?id=2378

http://www.rnhit.com/mcns/fullnews.php?id=5899

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/SP92602.htm

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

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.

Read more,
http://www.news.lk/index.php?option=com_content&task=
view&id=2452&Itemid=44

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.

Read more,
http://content-sl.cricinfo.com/waridcricketseries/
content/current/story/295453.html

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.

Read more,
http://www.indlawnews.com/C1113547A0D10397DCBDE4CDDA249D81

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

ICC reprimands Mohammad Asif for "aggressive reaction"

The International Cricket Council (ICC) today reprimanded Pakistani fast bowler Mohammad Asif for reacting aggressively on getting a wicket during the second one-dayer against Sri Lanka here on Sunday.

ICC Match Referee Javagal Srinath found Asif guilty of breaching Rule C1 of the ICC Code which states: "Players and/or Team Officials shall at all times conduct play within the spirit of the game", during Pakistan's 98-run win against Lanka at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.

Asif reacted aggressively when he dismissed Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene.

Read more,
http://www.dailyindia.com/show/143295.php/
ICC-reprimands-Mohammad-Asif-for-aggressive-reaction

LTTE training complex destroyed; Blackout in Wanni

SLAF MiG and K'Fir fighter jets pounded with precision air strikes at a pre-identified LTTE training complex south of Mankulama, 25 miles north west of Vavuniya, on Tuesday the 22nd of May.

The air sorties were carried out in the early hours at 6.45a.m. According to aerial reconnaissance images the LTTE training complex was destroyed into rubbles following the air bombardment. The SLAF fighter jets made successive sorties dropping heavy payloads into the terrorist training complex, which was later surrounded with clouds of debris, the defence officials confirmed.

Meanwhile, reliable sources said that the training complex was believed to be a regular visiting site of the LTTE Police Chief Nadeshan. It is not yet confirmed whether Nadeshan was present at the site, though some high profile terrorists were said to sustain severe injuries, the sources further added.

The total terrorist casualty figures were not yet available the military sources said.