Minister Douglas Devananda's Special Statement at Parliament

Police cracks down on LTTE supporters

The Tamil Nadu police have taken a stern view of LTTE sympathisers in the state. They have warned supporters against showing solidarity of any kind with the rebel outfit, even issuing an advertisement in the papers warning against holding rallies, condolence meetings or any other action that would appear to support the LTTE.

After top LTTE leader Thamilselvan was killed by Sri Lankan military earlier this month, the state saw rallies on the streets with MDMK leader Vaiko leading the demonstration to pay homage to the deceased leader. Though Vaiko and Nedumaran were arrested, this did not stop Tamil nationalists.

Large hoardings sprang up on roadsides to mourn the death of LTTE's top negotiator, while prayers and condolence meetings were held at street corners.

Such support for a LTTE man has made the Tamil Nadu police sit up. They have now put out an advertisement directing the pubilc to stop showing solidarity with the LTEE.

According to the notice, any action supporting banned organisations - by individuals or organisations - will be punished. The advertisement says rallies, condolence meetings or any other action supporting banned organisations by individuals or organisations will be punishable under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.

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http://www.timesnow.tv/NewsDtls.aspx?NewsID=4603

Hijacking 'Human rights' to trample others' rights

The tragedy of human rights today is that there is an army of professionals in NGOs and academia labouring to manufacture arguments in defence of terrorism, elevating it to a level higher than that of its victims.

Veteran Journalist and Asian Tribune Editorial Adviser H.L.D. Mahindapala made this observation yesterday (Nov. 29) delivering the D.A. Rajapaksa Commemorative Oration at the BMICH, Colombo today (Nov. 29).

He said:

"Every exploding point on the globe has become the happy hunting ground of these hired professionals in NGOs and academia who are skilled in blurring the lines of human rights. Armed with theories of human rights these professionals trot the globe professing to be holier-than-the state. But their morality is wearing thin because they are seen increasingly as hired agents serving political goals of the power-brokers in the West " .....

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http://www.asiantribune.com/index.php?q=node/8494

Iran supplies 70 percent of Sri Lanka's oil requirements

Talking about the achievements gained during Sri Lanka's president's visit to Tehran, the Finance Ministry Secretary Dr. PB Jayasundera stated that Iran is to supply 70 percent of his country's oil requirements.

Speaking to Sri Lanka's national newspaper, P B Jayasundera said that during the president's visit to Tehran they could secure 7-month credit facilities to import oil from Iran.

These credit facilities make it possible for Sri Lanka to pay the costs of the imported oil not immediately after receiving it.

He also asserted that following the negotiations between the two presidents, the high tariffs imposed on importing Sri Lanka's tea to Iran were lifted.

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http://www.isna.ir/Main/NewsView.aspx?ID=News-1043376&Lang=E

Murali better than Warne says KP

Kevin Pietersen has admitted that Muttiah Muralitharan is a harder bowler to bat against than the great Shane Warne.

The England batsman has had battles against both Muralitharan and Warne, but as he gears up to face the Sri Lankan spin wizard in the first Test in Kandy starting on Saturday, Pietersen said Muralitharan is tougher challenge because of his ability to spin the ball both ways.

"I know the way Shane tries to get you out and the way Muralitharan tries to get you out," said Pietersen.

"The difference is Muralitharan spins the ball both ways and is harder to pick; he is a lot harder challenge because of the way he spins it both ways with a pretty similar action.

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http://www.inthenews.co.uk/news/autocodes/countries/sri-lanka/

A cannibalistic fascist cannot be allowed to destroy Tamil people’s democratic rights! – Douglas Devananda

A fascist who only knows the taste of human flesh couldn’t be allowed to destroy the democratic rights of Tamil people says Minister of Social Services and Social Welfare and Leader of EPDP Dougles Devananda. Minister Devananda said this making a special statement on the attempt on his life by a tiger terrorist human bomb at his office at Narahenpita yesterday (28th). Minister Devananda was participating at the committee stage of the budget debate.

Full text of Minister Devananda’s statement:

Prabakaran, who alleged that he would usher in liberation for Tamil people, assassinated many democratic leaders of Tamil people. Were Tamils liberated? I am not scared of Velupillai Prabakaran’s threats, growls or attacks. I am dedicated for the democratic rights of the Tamil people. I shall never flee from democracy fearing a tiger who only desires human flesh. I will never allow a terrorist to destroy the democratic rights of the Tamil people...

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http://www.lankatruth.com/full_story/2007/Nov/29/20071129_04.htm

Malaysian Indians look at LTTE

Angry ethnic Indians who marched in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday to protest race-based discrimination in Malaysia carried portraits of Mahatma Gandhi as a symbol of their non-violent struggle.

“But if their genuine grievances continue to be ignored, (Sri Lankan Tamil Tigers leader) Velupillai Prabakaran could soon replace Gandhi as their inspiration,” warns P. Ramasamy, former professor of history at University Kebangsaan Malaysia.

In an interview to DNA from Singapore, Ramasamy, who was appointed by the LTTE to its Constitutional Affairs Committee in 2003, connected the dots that link the Tamil diaspora in Malaysia (which accounts for most of the Indian population there) to the Tamil Eelam movement in Sri Lanka.

The chilling picture that emerges is one that holds serious foreign policy implications for India, quite similar to what it faced in Sri Lanka in the early 1980s.

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http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1136140

16 civilians killed over 35 injured - Nugegoda

LTTE terrorists carried out a cowardly bomb attack targeting innocent civilians in the densely populated Nugegoda town around 5.50p.m, this evening (November 28).

The explosion took place in front of the 'NOLIMIT' building complex on S.D.S Jayasinghe Mawatha, at Nugegoda junction.

According to available information, the bomb was inside an unattended parcel which was found at the counter of the shopping complex.

Several civilians have suffered serious injuries and admitted to Kalubowila hospital and National Hospital Colombo. According to the Kalubowila hospital sources 16 people have been killed and over 37 injured in the explosion. Three victims including one schoolgirl in critical condition have been transferred to National Hospital Colombo.

Latest hospital reports state, 07 females and 09 males to be among the 16 civilians killed.

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http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20071128_09
Photo,
http://www.lankatruth.com/full_story/2007/Nov/28/20071128_04.htm

Suicide Bomb Blast in Nugegoda Town

LTTE terrorists have carried out a cowardly suicide bomb attack targeting innocent civilians in Nugegoda this evening (November 28 ).

According to the available information the bomb has been exploded at the Nugegoda Junction around 6 p.m. and a bus has caught fire after the attack.

Extracted from,
http://www.defence.lk/

Air Force war planes attack LTTE radio station - Kilinochchi

Sri Lanka Air Force fighter jets bombed LTTE's clandestine radio station at Kilinochchi this evening (November 27), Air Force sources said.

The targeted location has been identified as the place where LTTE produces its propaganda products aimed at luring Tamil youth to join the terror outfit and also at tarnishing the good image of Sri Lanka.

Fighter pilots have confirmed that the radio station was completely destroyed, the sources further said.

The targeted radio station was to air the annual speech of terror chief V. Prabhakaran this evening.

Extracted from,
http://defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20071127_11

Sri Lanka vows to kill Tamil Tiger leader

Sri Lanka's government has marked the birthday of Tamil Tiger leader Velupillai Prabhakaran with a vow to kill him.

The island's powerful defence secretary, Gotabhaya Rajapakse, said Colombo now had the upper hand in the long-running conflict, with the elusive guerrilla chief limited in both his movements and ability to score strategic victories.

Earlier this month the political head of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), S.P. Thamilselvan, was killed in what the government said was a precision air strike on the north and not a mere lucky hit.

"The killing of Thamilselvan sent a very powerful message: they know we have good intelligence on their movements," Rajapakse told AFP in an interview Monday at the heavily-fortified defence ministry in Colombo.

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http://www.afp.com/english/news/stories/071127014209.pwzwzbh1.html

Sri Lankan president: We support Iran's peaceful nuclear program

Visiting Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapakse, in a meeting with Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki here Monday, said his country supports Iran's inalienable right to use nuclear energy.

According to Foreign Ministry Media Department report on Monday, in the meeting, Mottaki presented a report on the latest situation of Iran's peaceful nuclear program, active cooperation with International Atomic Energy Agency( IAEA) and (IAEA Chief) ElBaradei's report to the IAEA Governing Council.

Referring to the level of bilateral ties, Mottaki said, "Iran is interested to expand ties with Sri Lanka in all fields and the visit is a new chapter in mutual relations."

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http://www2.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-236/0711262832212908.htm

Manmohan Singh expected to visit Sri Lanka in Feb

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is likely to be the chief guest at the 60th anniversary celebrations of Sri Lanka's independence in February next year.

"The Sri Lankan government had extended an invitation to the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and he has accepted it," a senior Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry official said.

"He will visit Sri Lanka on 4th of February," the official said.

The official, however, said it was not yet finalised whether Singh's visit will be for one day or two days.

Earlier in the day, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama told Parliament that Singh will be the chief guest at the 60th anniversary celebrations on February 4.

Extracted from,
http://www.ptinews.com/pti%5Cptisite.nsf/0/CE7EEA3AFEE2A9F5652573A00041CE58?OpenDocument

Koertzen out of Lankan series

Umpire Rudi Koertzen, who angered Sri Lankans this month by wrongly giving Kumar Sangakkara out on 192 in the second Test against Australia, has been withdrawn from the series against England.

South African Koertzen, 58, was due to stand in the series between Sri Lanka and England starting in Kandy on Saturday, but officials said the International Cricket Council had replaced him.

"The ICC has taken Koertzen off the roster for the series," Sri Lanka Cricket media manager Samantha Algama said.

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http://www.theage.com.au/news/cricket/koertzen-out-of-lankan-series/