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News Archive for Jul 2009
KP BLAMES POLITICAL FRIENDS OF PRABHAKARAN FOR NOT ACCEPTING HIS DEATH AND BLOOD RELATIVES FOR NOT RECEIVING HIS REMAINS The former arms procurer of the LTTE blamed Prabhakaran’s political friends Vaiko and Nedumaran for not accepting his death and Prabhakaran’s blood relatives for not coming forward to receive his mortal remains.  Speaking from an undisclosed country in Europe Selvarasa Pathmanathan alias KP blamed the Indian supporters of the late LTTE leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran like Vaiko and Nedumaran  for not accepting the reality of the former LTTE leader’s  death .  He also blamed the blood relatives of Prabhakaran for not coming forward to receive his mortal remains when he tried to obtain them.  KP, the... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 31/07/09)
TULF Leader Ananda Sangaree – Is he trying to fit in to Prabakaran’s shoes to implement 13A?
I had a very healthy appetite to read letters and articles written by the TULF Leader Mr. Ananda Sangaree and I never missed any of his writing, as his writing indicated that he is a moderate Tamil leader trying to settle the terror war created by Prabakaran, the Leader of the LTTE. He wrote many open letters to the former leader of the LTTE, advising him to give up his arms struggle and to settle the ethnic problem in a peaceful manner, using the Constitutional provisions of the Amendment 13. He also... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 31/07/09)
The Pinnawela Baby elephant ‘Abduction’
by Srilal Miththapala Due to my profound interest in elephants, and the numerous interactions I have had with many people during my ‘Elephant Talks’, and the book that I wrote about the elephants of the Uda Walawe National Park (Tranquil Footsteps), I have perhaps earned a reputation for being somewhat of an ‘Elephant Enthusiast.’ Consequently to the recent incident, where two juvenile elephants at Pinnawela were removed to be taken to the Dalada Maligawa, there has been a huge cry of protest from all and sundry. I have been inundated with telephone calls by many of my friends urging me... -Full Story- (The Island - 31/07/09)
Intl. Breastfeeding Week:Two babies denied mothers’ milk
President Mahinda Rajapaksa is reported to have acted like a caring father of three sons. He has, we are told, decided to return the two baby elephants, Raju and Sindhu, cruelly held by Diyaawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela on behalf of the Asgiriya and Malwatte temples to their grieving mothers. Today is the beginning of the International Breastfeeding Week and the Dalada Perahera is reaching its final stage. We must be ashamed as a nation that two elephant sucklings are still being denied mothers' milk in the vicinity of Sri Dalada Maligawa. Yesterday, addressing the media in Kandy, Minister of... -Full Story- (The Island - 31/07/09)
Tigers’ arsenal amazes Army
Seven 152 mm artillery pieces, 42 thermobaric weapons, 13,240 T-56 assault rifles, among many other arms seized
A part of LTTE arsenal displayed on the Vanni east front shortly before Prabhakaran’s death. Pic Dimuthu Premaratne Sri Lankan forces yesterday said that 24 four barrelled 14.5 mm anti-aircraft guns of Chinese origin (ZPU 4) had been among arms and ammunition worth millions of US dollars recovered by troops during Eelam War IV. They said that the mobile guns had been acquired along with a range of other armaments from China producing North Korean and Eritrean end-user-certificates. President Mahinda Rajapaksa recently said at a public meeting that he felt that the LTTE collected such a large stock of lethal... -Full Story- (The Island - 31/07/09)
More money offered for resettling Tamils in Lanka
New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is willing to give more funds, besides the $100m which India has already pledged, for resettlement of around 300,000 civilians displaced by the conflict in Sri Lanka, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said yesterday. When Manmohan Singh met Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit in Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt earlier this month, he reiterated India’s willingness to enable the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their homes, Krishna told parliament. Sri Lanka has assured India that the resettlement of Tamil civilians would be... -Full Story- (thepeninsulaqatar.com - 31/07/09)
Trincomalee Journal
Fishermen Scoop Up Sri Lanka’s Peace Dividend
TRINCOMALEE, Sri Lanka  It was just after dawn and the fish market beneath this port city’s clock tower was humming. Fishermen shouldering baskets laden with the night’s catch tipped their Spanish mackerel, tuna and prawns onto the slick concrete floor for buyers. Sweaty men with clipboards and wads of cash leaned in close to inspect with crinkled noses, squinting eyes and prodding fingers.... -Full Story- (nytimes.com - 31/07/09)
Top LTTE militant arrested in Vavuniya District
A top Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militant, who is believed to have fixed the bomb in a vehicle that exploded at Digampathana in October 16, 2006 killing more than 100 naval ratings, was arrested in Vavuniya on an unspecified date, reports Daily Mirror on July 31. Police said a special team from the Central Province had arrested the yet to be named militant when he was getting ready to escape from the area. He revealed that he had worked in a garage in Kilinochchi owned by Pottu Amman, the former LTTE intelligence wing chief, adding, he was the... -Full Story- (satp.org - 31/07/09)
Decision to give up armed struggle taken by Velupillai Prabhakaran, says newly appointed LTTE chief Kumaran Pathmanathan
The newly appointed Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Kumaran Pathmanathan alias KP claimed on July 30 that the outfit’s decision to give up armed struggle and take recourse to “political and diplomatic moves†was taken by its former chief Velupillai Prabhakaran along with other commanders at Mullivaikkal in the Mullaitivu District days before his death during Eelam War IV, reports The Hindu. In a statement posted on his website, KP, supposedly operating out of South-East Asia and wanted by the Interpol, dealt at length on his earlier statement about the LTTE’s decision to achieve the goal of Tamil... -Full Story- (satp.org - 31/07/09)
Sri Lanka’s Inflation Held Near Five-Year Low in July
Share | Email | Print | A A A By Anusha Ondaatjie July 31 (Bloomberg) -- Sri Lanka’s inflation held near a five-year low in July, giving the central bank more room to cut interest rates. Consumer prices in the capital, Colombo, rose 1.1 percent from a year earlier after gaining 0.9 percent in June, the statistics agency said on its Web site today. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka on July 13 kept interest rates unchanged, waiting to see if three reductions in borrowing costs this year are enough to stoke an economic revival after the end of almost... -Full Story- (bloomberg.com - 31/07/09)
Passing-out parade of the Sri Lankan commando unit
Members of the commando unit of the Sri Lanka Civil Defence Force demonstrate their skills during a passing-out parade in Galkiriyagama, in north central district of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, July 29, 2009. [... -Full Story- (chinadaily.com.cn - 31/07/09)
Middle east tourists to Sri Lanka surge by 85 per cent
Holidaymakers to Sri Lanka from the Middle East have surged 85 per cent following the end of the civil war between the government and Tamil Tiger rebels, which ended in May this year after 25 years. According to Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau's (SLTPB), travellers from Saudi Arabia and the UAE are leading the travel resurgence from the region. Qatar, Oman, Lebanon and Egypt also contributing significantly to the overall growth in tourist numbers. "The month of June has seen exceptional growth with travelers from Saudi Arabia and UAE leading the resurgence to post extraordinary growth during the month of... -Full Story- (Hindustan Times - 31/07/09)
S.Lanka shares rise on improved foreign buying
By Shihar Aneez COLOMBO, July 31 (Reuters) - Sri Lankan stocks .CSE rose on Friday as investor confidence picked up on improved net foreign buying after a $2.6 billion loan from IMF despite some top listed firms posting poor earnings. The all-share index closed 0.55 percent or 13.85 points up at 2,525.70. It hit a near 14-month closing high on Monday. "Retail investor trading picked up on select bluechips," said Harsha Fernando, CEO at SC Securities. "We believe the market to pick up further next week on increasing foreign buying." Foreign funds sold 35.7 million rupees of shares on Friday... -Full Story- (in.reuters.com - 31/07/09)
'Sri Lanka may use IMF funds to raise $500m'
COLOMBO (AFP) – Sri Lanka may tap international lenders for 500 million dollars to fund post-war rebuilding following an IMF bailout that has boosted investor confidence in its finances, the central bank said Friday. The International Monetary Fund last week approved a 2.6-billion-dollar loan to help Sri Lanka weather a severe balance-of-payments problem and the effects of the global economic downturn. "The IMF money will help us to access cheaper sources of funding lines," central bank governor Nivard Cabraal told AFP by telephone. "We may look to raise about 500 million dollars." The central bank hopes that the IMF injection,... -Full Story- (news.yahoo.com - 31/07/09)
Sri Lankan terrorism suspects urged to give up hunger strike
COLOMBO, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Some 200 terrorism suspects were urged by the Sri Lankan authorities on Friday to give up a hunger strike in the Colombo remand prison. "I have appealed them to give up the fast as I have scheduled a meeting with the defense secretary for Aug. 10 to discuss the matter," V. Puthrasigamony, the deputy minister of justice told reporters. Puthrasigamony said he would visit them next week. The fasting inmates demand quickened action against them as the proceedings have been slow. They were arrested by the police's terrorism investigation division for links with acts of... -Full Story- (Xinhua - 31/07/09)
Elephant row erupts in Sri Lanka
Animal rights activists have filed a petition in Sri Lanka's Supreme Court to reverse the removal of two baby elephants from an elephant orphanage. The Sathwa Mithrayo rights group wants the court to revoke a government decision to hand the animals over to an important Buddhist temple. The government says there is a shortage of elephants for religious processions. Environmentalists say that the elephants were taken from their mother while they were still suckling. "The mothers' udders have swollen because they're unable to give milk. It's not only the calves but even the mothers that are suffering," environmental lawyer Jagath... -Full Story- (BBC - 31/07/09)
Row over elephant calves’ separation from their mothers
The Sri Lankan government’s gift of two baby elephants to a Buddhist temple has sparked protests from animal lovers who demanded yesterday that the calves be reunited with their mothers. Officials ordered last week that the youngsters be separated from their mothers at the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage in central Sri Lanka and sent them to the nearby Temple of the Tooth. The two-and-half-year-old elephants were still suckling when they were taken away, environmental lawyer Jagath Gunawardena told AFP. “The mothers’ udders have swollen because they’re unable to give milk. It’s not only the babies but even the mothers that are... -Full Story- (Gulf Times - 31/07/09)
Sri Lanka closes down peace secretariat
Irish Sun Colombo, July 31 (Xinhua) The Sri Lankan government has closed down a peace secretariat that was set up to facilitate reconciliation talks with the Tamil Tiger rebels, an official said Friday. The government had taken the decision to close down the secretariat by July end, Rajiva Wijesinghe, head of the office, told reporters. He added that from now on the relevant government ministries would take forward the functions of the secretariat. The peace secretariat was set up in 2003 to handle the Norwegian backed peace process between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).... -Full Story- (story.irishsun.com - 31/07/09)
13th amendment will not appease the North and the East
The 13th Amendment has been in existence for over 20 years and it has brought no relief to Sri Lanka. Nobody has a word of praise for it except the few politicians who have obtained office under its dispensation and enjoy the perks associated with such office. None see it as a possible cure for the problems affecting the country. The deficiencies are overwhelming; the expenses are devastating; benefits are not forthcoming. One thing is for sure, it yields power and position to elected politicians to the detriment of the electors. Besides... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 30/07/09)
FUNDS – Will it land on Economic Bermuda Triangle again?……..Hope not.
 Waste – Corruption – Malpractice Repetition of above will prove once more amount is only mere figures when they land on hands of political swindlers. Over the years Sri Lanka as being developed or under developed country fell on mercy lap of developed rich world and enjoyed periodic loans & aids enough and more. We became badly behaved economic patient in South East Asia leaving most of the other similar states far behind in terms of the biggest fund receiver. Unarguably decade of conflict may be the culprit of economic stagnation but the triangle of waste, corruption... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 30/07/09)
EMBASSY OF SRI LANKA HOSTS “DELIGHTFUL EVENING OF SRI LANKAN CULTURE†WITH INTERNATIONAL CLUB OF DC
Members of the International Club of DC were hosted by Ambassador Jaliya Wickramasuriya and Mrs. Wickramasuriya at their elegant Embassy Row Residence on Saturday, July 25, 2009. The well attended event was filled with enthusiasts from a range of countries, who were treated to sights, sounds and tastes of Sri Lanka. Guests were able to witness the beauty of Sri Lanka on a large projection screen while live traditional Sri Lankan music was performed by a group of talented Sri Lankans from the Greater Washington D.C. area. A group of young... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 30/07/09)
Devolution necessary to uplift economy
Irangika RANGE in Batticaloa
Devolution of power was necessary for the uplift of the economy among all groups of people and the government was totally committed to provide infrastructure and other facilities like education and health to the people of all provinces, said Senior Presidential Advisor and Parliamentarian Basil Rajapaksa addressing the function to launch the first rail-bus service between Batticaloa and Trincomalee at Batticaloa yesterday.... -Full Story- (Daily News - 30/07/09)
13th Amendment will be implemented in full: Dr. Kohona
Interview with Palitha Kohona INTERVIEW The resolution by the UN Council for Human Rights (UNCHR) generated a great deal of dissatisfaction. As regards the neighbourhood, you have received support from Pakistan, India and China. How do you view this Asian backing of Sri Lanka at the Council? It was not only support from Asia, which has only five votes in the Council. We got 29 votes, due to support from Latin America and other quarters. The message is clear: no individual country can be hounded. We must remember that the UNCHR was established to cooperatively develop a culture of human... -Full Story- (himalmag.com - 30/07/09)
Information office of the Sri Lankan High Commission in London to fall to the hands of an illiterate
The Sri Lankan High Commission in London is to be invaded by individuals with little or no knowledge of diplomatic relations. An active member of Sri Lankans Against Terrorism (SLAT) also known as Sri Lankan Against Career Diplomats, Anura Medagedara is to be appointed as the press officer of the Sri Lankan High Commission in London following the completion of the contract of the current officer Walter Jayawardena. Medagedara it is learnt is currently engaged in publicizing the matter by informing his confidants of his meeting with the Foreign Minister in Colombo recently and the Minister’s subsequent approval of this... -Full Story- (lankanewsweb.com - 30/07/09)
Britain- all the Superpowers You do have blood on your hands wherever you went
The IMF voting on 24 th June 2009 granted the loan applied for by Sri Lanka. However this incident was marred by Western Superpowers- the USA, Britain and France abstaining from voting. It is well known that these Superpowers led by France and Britain were persuading the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to stop battling the terrorists. The Superpowers wanted to see that terrorism was not wiped out! The terrorist LTTE had earned for itself the title of being the most ruthless terrorist out fit in the world and... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 29/07/09)
BAHRAIN TO PUMP IN HUGE DOSES OF INVESTMENTS TO SRI LANKA BOTH BY STATE AND PRIVATE SECTORS
(Photos by Sudath Silva) Bahrain, has agreed with Sri Lanka to pump in huge amount of investments into the South Asian country to boost up its economy by launching economic and trade ventures by government and private sectors alike. The Prime Minister of Bahrain who was on a three day state visit to the Indian Ocean island told President Mahinda Rajapaksa that he would encourage Baharaini businessmen to launch ventures in Sri Lanka mainly in jewellery, gems, textiles, ceramics and agricultural domains.†During the Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa Bin... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 29/07/09)
Dump the 13th amendment, the product of an illegal and immoral agreement
The tremendous contribution made by DJ in defending Sri Lanka has to be acknowledged and several have already done so. There is a flaw in the logic of those who support the 13th amendment. DJ and Prof Witharana have flawed thinking, as they assume that the world consist of ideal humans. It is important to be ale to train the brain to think critically, analyse situations looking at evidence, rather than hang on to beliefs and dogmas. The 13th amendment was forced on us by India, that invaded Sri Lanka,  to satisfy Indian needs, after an illegal... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 29/07/09)
His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain assures support to “rebuild†Sri Lanka.
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama during a courtesy call on His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain on 28th July 2009 stated that the Government of Sri Lanka was appreciative of the support rendered by the Kingdom of Bahrain which proved to be ‘a good friend’ during Sri Lanka’s fight against terrorism.  Responding, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain congratulated the Government of Sri Lanka for eliminating terrorism and assured the support of the Kingdom of Bahrain to “help rebuild†Sri Lanka. He... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 29/07/09)
CAN WE GET OUR COUNTRY BACK?
 So President Rajapaksha was ceremonially opening a state of the art Archeological museum on the 5th century AD Lion Rock Sigiriya. It is indeed fascinating to go back in the long memory lane back by 1600 years and visualize what life in ancient Lanka would have looked like during this era. To say the least there were even gold earrings added with precious stones and life size female models' pictures decorating the kings daily pathway within his palace bounds. Sounds so much like the modern day world feasts that we are all accustomed to 1600 years... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 29/07/09)
SIGIRIYA LIKE HISTORICAL MONUMENTS GIVE POWER AND COURAGE TO BUILD THIS NATION NOW SAYS PRESIDENT OPENING MUSEUM
President Mahinda Rajapaksa said, important monuments like the Lion Rock Sigiriya, of the 5th century AD that belonged to the magnificent Anuradhapura era gives the nation immense power and courage to build our nation now. He was speaking after declaring open an ultra modern archeological museum built with Japanese assistance at Sigiriya to depict the historical era reigned by the God King Kashyapa and to house fascinating artifacts found during decades of excavations at the site. Former Prime Minister of Japan and the President of Sri Lanka Japan Friendship Association, Yasuo Fukuda joined the opening ceremony... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 28/07/09)
Sri Lanka & IMF Loan
July 27, 2009 Honourable Stephen Timms, MP Financial Secretary to the Treasury House of Commons Westminster London, UK By e-mail Dear Stephen Timms: The world in 1955 was a pretty good place I thought.   A courageous one at that when the defiant black lady Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat in the front of the bus for a white  passenger for which she got arrested in Baltimore, and that is when whites started to notice the blacks as equals.   Fifty-four years later we... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 28/07/09)
IMF Loan Approval Is A Nod Of Assent And A Show Of Confidence Towards The Government.
July28th 2009 The previous editorial was captioned "Message To All Harbingers Of Doom And Ill Wishers Of Sri Lanka~ BACK OFF!" While reiterating this suggestion it has to be noted with much enthusiasm that on an even note all the calls for a waiving of the IMF Loan to Sri Lanka have been politely overlooked by the US and the IMF in granting the loan which is indicative of the realities upon which the loan was approved for which much gratitude and appreciation are in order. Incentive enough to direct the Government on the right path regardless... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 28/07/09)
Lankaweb article on 'Black July' - Needs Addendum
Dear Editor,  This lengthy article (ref. below) that appeared in 'Lankaweb' of July 26th, along with many others that were published on the same topic, have missed out on a crucial factor which appeared only as a 'blip' in the massive outpourings that occurred from the begining of this year on the Sri Lankan conflict .  Some may not have noticed it and others may have trivialized it. I do not have the time or the inclination to go into all the evidence that could be dug up from our notoriously short, short term memory, but here it is:- THE SO-CALLED 'BLACK JULY'... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 28/07/09)
In Defence of Dayan Jayatilleke.
Of course Dayan Jayatileke needs no one to defend him.  Least of all me, as I do not know Dayan Jayatilleke, I have seen him only in media images and heard him on video clips. But I have read some of his articles on various subjects appearing in the websites.  I like his style of writing. I like his intelligent approach to the subjects he treats, and his great scholarship. That is the only closeness I have to Dayan Jayatilleke.  I was keenly following the terrorism in Sri Lanka, for about 14 years until its end in... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 28/07/09)
LTTE mastermind in A’pura Air Base attack arrested
The mastermind behind the attack on Anuradhapura Air Force Base has been arrested by the officers of the Central Province Intelligence Unit on information given by the LTTE suspects in custody. Rasalingam Thaboruban, 26, of Kankasanthurai was among the displaced civilians in the Mannar district when the arrest was made by a special team of officials attached to the Central Province Intelligence Unit. An LTTE suicide squad launched an attack on the Anuradhapura Air Force Base on January 27, 2007 at about 3.20 a.m. while the LTTE light aircraft were carrying out air sorties targeting the Air Base. This attack... -Full Story- (Daily News - 28/07/09)
There's Sri Lankan blood on the Liberals' hands
Re: Stop Searching For Scapegoats In Sri Lanka, Bob Rae, July 25. Bob Rae is correct in stating that recent Liberal governments of Canada were not responsible for the origins and causes of the war in Sri Lanka. As stated by Mr. Rae, during the period of the Liberal governments of Mr. Chretien and Mr. Martin, Canada ratified the Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism and adopted legislation to target terrorist support at home. Also a series of laws were adopted to reinforce Canada's international obligations to protect against terrorist funding and target those supporting foreign terrorist... -Full Story- (nationalpost.com - 28/07/09)
Face -to-face with a human bomb
Ruwan Weerakoon, National Post Published: Tuesday, July 28, 2009 Related Topics Rajadurai Ganesh Velupillai Prabhakaran Suicide Attacks Terrorism Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam Story Tools - + Change font size Print this story E-Mail this story Share This Story Facebook Digg Stumble Upon More Story tools presented by Earlier this year, I found myself seated face-to-face with a would-be suicide bomber, the most dreaded weapon in the arsenal of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) -- better known as the Tamil Tigers. Until their battlefield defeat earlier this year, the LTTE dreamed that their long campaign of terrorism would... -Full Story- (nationalpost.com - 28/07/09)
Police arrests suspected LTTE cadre and his father in Colombo
Daily Mirror reports that a suspected cadre of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) who had escaped from an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Vavuniya District and his father who had brought him to capital Colombo were arrested by the Colombo Central Division Police while they were hiding in a lodge in the city. The father of the suspect is a Sinhalese and is married to a Tamil. The father had been brought up by a Tamil businessman in Nochchiyagama, to whom he had been given over by his parents when he was a small child, a Police... -Full Story- (satp.org - 28/07/09)
SRI LANKA: US wants focus on early returns
COLOMBO, 28 July 2009 (IRIN) - The return home of almost 300,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Sri Lanka must now be the priority for the government and humanitarian agencies assisting them, says a top US official. “The government of the United States believes the focus now must be on the prompt return of the displaced in safety and dignity, and we want to support and accelerate this process,†Eric Schwartz, US Assistant Secretary of State for Refugees, said at the conclusion of a three-day visit to Sri Lanka on 27 July.... -Full Story- (irinnews.org - 28/07/09)
India encircled by China’s string of pearls?
Posted by: Raashi Bhatia Tags: 1, Asia, China, diplomatic relationships, Hambantota, India, military influence, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, string of pearls Many in India believe that Beijing is building special relationships with India’s old foe Pakistan and Sri Lanka and is extending its reach down the Indian Ocean. China’s ‘String of Pearls’ strategy seems to be surrounding India and has given food for thought to many in New Delhi for quite some time now. At the G8 summit in L’Aquila recently, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made a bid in front of the international community to include India in the United... -Full Story- (blogs.reuters.com - 28/07/09)
Top LTTE intelligence man arrested
Colombo, July 28: A top LTTE intelligence operator was nabbed by the authorities on Tuesday from the national capital along with high explosives, months after the group was annihilated by Sri Lankan Army. Pakyaraja Pradeep, a prominent LTTE cadre, was arrested by the Terrorist Investigation Department (TID) and when overpowered was carrying cyanide capsules. The intelligence officials are questioning the man whether he was in the capital to carry out any suicide attack. When caught, Pradeep was found to be carrying 7.5 kg of square bombs containing high explosives which could be detonated by remote control or a mobile phone,... -Full Story- (asianage.com - 28/07/09)
IMF loan strains Lanka-Britain relations
Last week, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved the $ 2.6 billion loan to Sri Lanka amid opposition from several countries including the US and Britain voicing concerns over human rights abuses. Britain abstained from voting on the loan. British financial secretary to the treasury Stephen Timms said it was “not the right time for the program.†A day before the loan was approved the New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) criticised the IMF for readying to hand it out. “To approve a loan, especially $600 million more than the government even asked for, while they have hundreds of thousands... -Full Story- (Hindustan Times - 28/07/09)
INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND SAYS THE LOAN IS A DIRECT ENDORSEMENT RECOGNIZING SRI LANKA’S ECONOMIC POLICIES
International Monetary Fund’s Mission Chief for Sri Lanka in Washington, Brian Aitken accepted the statement of the Sri Lanka Central Bank that the recent approval of USD 2.6 billion is a direct endorsement recognizing the Sri Lanka government’s economic policies by the international lending institution.  Aitken said in Washington, “the IMF Board would not have endorsed this program if we did not feel like the government has the desire and the capacity to implement it.†In a telephone conference call interview by the IMF’s own public relations person Ms. Yoshiko Kamata, Aitken further said, “The government’s... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 28/07/09)
US ANNOUNCES US $ 8 MILLION TO RESETTLE IDP S IN SRI LANKA
The United States announced it would grant US $ 8 million to help hasten the internally displaced persons now living in government camps.  The US Assistant Secretary of state for refugees, Eric P. Schwartz who visited the Manik Farm , in Vavuniya made the announcement and said that the US was granting this money for the recovery and resettlement for nearly 280,000 people in the camps.  The IDP’s are from the former Tamil Tiger held areas who were allegedly used as human shield and fled to the Sri Lanka government held areas when the LTTE fell... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 27/07/09)
SRI LANKA ACCEPTS CHAIRMANSHIP OF G-15
Sri Lanka has accepted the Chairmanship of the Group of Fifteen, a coalition of 18 developing countries established to develop what Member countries perceived as the considerable potential for greater and mutually beneficial cooperation among developing countries, especially in the areas of investment, trade and technology. Sri Lanka was invited by her predecessor, the Islamic Republic of Iran, to take over the helm at a critical time in the global economic and financial environment. As the Chair of the G15, Sri Lanka will continue to strengthen... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 27/07/09)
Lanka’s key arms supplier, Tigers’ principal provider of weapons
by Shamindra FerdinandoChina, one of Sri Lanka’s major suppliers of armaments had been the LTTE’s principal provider of weapons which enabled the group to wage war on the lines of a conventional Army. The Chinese firm, Norinco had sold millions of USD worth of armaments, ranging from T-56 assault rifles to 14.5 mm air defence guns on North Korean and Eritrean end-user certificates-the documents needed to purchase armaments legally. The LTTE had obtained them through bribery, a Sri Lankan official told The Island adding that Chinese officials couldn’t have been unaware of the arrangement. The Chinese arsenal included artillery pieces... -Full Story- (The Island - 27/07/09)
Indian RAW Agents attempted to meet KP at undisclosed location
 It is being alleged from Intelligence sources that India's dreaded Intelligence agency Research & Analysis Wing (RAW) agents have made several attempts to meet up with the newly self-proclaimed Tamil Tiger chief Pathmanaban popularly known as “KPâ€ÂÂÂ. Several LTTE agents from Canada have flown over to South-Asia recently to meet up with the new Tiger chief and sources informed that the Indian’s dreaded RAW too were keen to open up a dialogue with him.  Intel sources also informed us that the RAW were in discussions with several ex-Tamil militant groups and their leaders and have... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 27/07/09)
CPA and other NGOs had no interest in next of kin of deceased â€â€ÂÂ- Commission ReportCPA and other NGOs had no interest in next of kin of deceased â€â€ÂÂ- Commission Report
CONSPIRACY BY COUNSEL TO DISCREDIT THE COMMISSION - The justice Udalagama Presidential Commission (COI) report on human rights violations, in its recently released report, states that NGOs such as the Centre for Policy Alternatives and INFORM etc., “were more interested in satisfying their paymasters’’, the foreign INGO ACF (....whose employees, 17 aid workers were shot and killed, which was one subject of the commission investigation....) “than securing compensation for the victims.’’ The commission report cites in detail the subterfuge of the NGOs such as the Centre for Policy Alternatives, which in furtherance of their “well... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 27/07/09)
Central bank makes IMF deal public
The Sri Lankan government's economic reforms programme including targets as a precursor to the IMF loan has been made public by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. Please click this link to get the letter of Intent  http://www.cbsl.gov.lk/pics_n_docs/latest_news/loi_25072009.pdf The executive board of the International Monetary Fund in Washington DC approved the 2.9 billion loan negotiated between Sri Lanka and IMF, it was announced last night. On the eve of the meeting the online edition of the London Times predicted that there is strong likelihood that Sri Lanka would not receive the loan. Belying the Times campaign, it was announced... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 27/07/09)
Return crying babies to weeping mothers!
The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated –– Mahatma Gandhi A shocking 'abduction' was reported from Pinnawala on Saturday. The army and the police were deployed to tear two tiny baby elephants from their protesting mothers at the behest of Minister of Sports and Recreation Gamini Lokuge, who granted Diyawadane Nilame Nilanga Dela's wish that the little jumbos be donated to the Asgiriya and Malwatte Temples. The aggrieved mothers furiously resisted the heartless bipeds' effort to remove their precious sucklings that needed their warmth, love and protection. The... -Full Story- (The Island - 27/07/09)
Baby tuskers separated from mothers injure themselves
by Ifham Nizam One of the two baby tuskers forcibly taken out of the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage from their mothers has broken a tusk and the other is also injured. Sources said yesterday that when the baby elephants were taken into Diyawadana Nilame Niranjan Dela Bandara's residence they were kept in a garage, where one of them charged at the motor cycle and destroyed it. Meanwhile, a senior official at the Department of Wildlife yesterday said they had not authorised the removal of the two elephants from the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. Environment Lawyer Jagath Gunawardena said elephants legally came under... -Full Story- (The Island - 27/07/09)
Baby elephants spark fighting in Sri Lanka -the chief custodian of the Temple of the Tooth Pradeep Nilanga Dela blamed for cruelty to animals
COLOMBO, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Two baby elephants under five years old were taken away from their mothers, sparking anger in a world-renown elephant orphanage in central Sri Lanka, a local English newspaper said on Monday. The Island said the two baby tuskers were forcibly separated from their mothers by the Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela, the chief custodian of the Temple of the Tooth, on Saturday night at the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, about 80 km northeast of the capital Colombo. Despite protests by some officials at the elephant orphanage, after hours of battle, the Diyawadana Nilame who was supported... -Full Story- (Xinhua - 27/07/09)
U.S. hails efforts for war displaced
B. Muralidhar Reddy COLOMBO: Welcoming Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s unequivocal commitment to the resettlement process of the nearly 3 lakh war displaced, visiting Assistant Secretary, Bureau for Population, Refugees and Migration of the U.S. State Department Eric Schwartz, pledged U.S. support to the process. Mr. Schwartz, who is the first high level official from the Obama Administration to visit Sri Lanka, on Monday held discussions here with Mr. Rajapaksa and Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama. The Assistant Secretary describing his visit to the welfare villages in Vavuniya observed that the government had taken significant and substantial steps to improve the... -Full Story- (The Hindu - 27/07/09)
A Large Stock of Arms and Ammo found - Mullaitivu
Sri Lanka troops engaged in clearing operations uncovered stockpiles of arms and ammo from the northern area during clearing operations conducted yesterday (26 July). According to defence sources, the Task Force 8 of Puthukudyiruppu East uncovered one SMG weapon with a, one Micro Pistol and 250 9mm rounds, three T56 weapons, nine radio communication set , five mortar bombs, 40 hand grenades, 10 detonator codes and 20 Silva Compasses. Further, troops conducting clearing operations in Puthukuyiruppu west uncovered a large stock of weapon accessories , including of T56 rifles , MPMG and LMG weapons, 60, 81 and 82 mm Mortars,... -Full Story- (defence.lk - 27/07/09)
US concerned over Sri Lankan camps
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – The United States on Monday expressed concern over hundreds of thousands of Sri Lankans displaced by war who are currently confined to military-run camps and pledged funds to help their resettlement. Eric P. Schwartz, the U.S assistant secretary of state for refugees, on Monday announced $8 million to help hasten the resettlement and recovery process of some 280,000 people living in camps. The displaced are ethnic Tamils who fled their homes at the height of a civil war between government forces and Tamil Tiger separatists, which ended in May after 25 years. Schwartz spoke to reporters... -Full Story- (news.yahoo.com - 27/07/09)
“Sri Lanka keen on investments from India in key sectorsâ€ÂÂÂ
Special Correspondent CHENNAI: Sri Lanka is looking at investments from India into key sectors to help hasten the ambitious rebuilding programme initiated by the Government, said P.M.Amza, Deputy High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in South India on Monday. Addressing a felicitation function hosted by the Andhra Chamber of Commerce to mark the conclusion of his three-year tenure in Chennai, Mr.Amza said that the Sri Lankan Government had identified investment areas such as infrastructure, agriculture, tourism and fisheries. Mr.Amza said of the two Special Economic Zones planned to be established, the site for the SEZ at Trinconmalee had already been identified... -Full Story- (The Hindu - 27/07/09)
PRESIDENT RAJAPAKSA DECLARES OPEN NEW KATUGASTOTA BRIDGE ON A9 HIGHWAY LINKING KANDY AND JAFFNA
President Mahinda Rajapaksa declared open a four lane new bridge spanning across River Mahaveli at Katugastota on the A9 Highway connecting the ancient capital with the Northern city of Jaffna. The 525 million bridge was built with funds granted as aid by Kuwait which gave 70 per cent of the expenditure. The balance was footed by the Sri Lanka government. One of the most beautiful bridges in Sri Lanka, the four lane 20 meters wide bridge is 130.15 meters long and stands on concrete columns. The bridge not only connects Kandy with Jaffna via... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 26/07/09)
GEORGE MASTER’S DAUGHTER GAYATHRI SAYS “ To say that Tamils are being persecuted in Sri Lanka is bunkum",
The comments made by George Master’s daughter Gayathri Jude of her experience about meeting the law enforcement authorities (LEA) and their response is an open book for those LTTE apologists in the Tamil Diaspora who continues to disseminate false propaganda in  the western countries against Sri Lankan Government, its armed forces and law enforcement authorities (LEA). She says “to say that Tamils are being persecuted in Sri Lanka is bunkumâ€ÂÂÂ.This is her experience as reported in The Island.  Quoteâ€ÂÂÂSo, I returned to Sri Lanka with a great degree of fear", she noted. "On arrival, I called the... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 26/07/09)
SEVENTY PERCENT OF MEMBER NATIONS OF IMF SUPPORT SRI LANKA TO RECOVER FROM THE WAR RAVAGES AND DEVELOP
Britain together with her allies, USA, Germany, Argentine and France declined to vote for the loan for Sri Lanka when it was taken up at the executive Board meeting of the International Monetary Fund yesterday. Many believe, the attitude of Britain and her allies was a reflection similar somewhat to their attitude to the Commonwealth nation when Sri Lanka’s former imperial ruler ganged up with her European or white allies at the human rights council at the United Nations in Geneva, few months ago unsuccessfully. But 70 percent, which consists of the rest of the member... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 26/07/09)
Open Letter to HE Dr Dayan Jayatillake, Sri Lanka Ambassador in Geneva
HE Dr Dayan jayatillake,  Could you please answer to the following questions   (1) While you are serving as a Diplomat of Sri Lanka Government, have you communicated with RAW or any other foreign intelligence organisation, by telephone, emails or by any other means?  (2) While you are serving as a Diplomat of Sri Lanka Government, have you communicated with your former master, former Chielf Minister of East, Wartharaj Perumal, telephone, emails or by any other means?  (2) Were you flown by an Indian military plane and made a Minister... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 26/07/09)
Southern Express Highway
Dear Sir, Please allow me to express my views on the above mentioned project. We read about the debacle in the construction of seventy odd bridges in Matara expressway project in the media these days. According to these reports one of the bridges which were constructed recently has collapsed killing a bystander, as aresult the authorities have decided to demolish all the bridges and reconstruct them. This is the only expressway project being implemented in our country at a great cost to our people. It is the responsibly of those in power to make sure that... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 26/07/09)
PRESIDENT SAYS SRI LANKA DEFEATED ALL CONSPIRATORS AGAINST THE NATION WHEN SHE OBTAINED THE IMF LOAN
President Mahinda Rajapaksa said it was a great victory for Sri Lanka to obtain the IMF loan passing the executive board hurdle defeating all conspirators against the loan within and without Sri Lanka. President Rajapaksa said “When we applied for an IMF loan certain Sri Lankan leaders brought pressure to stop it. They are not personally hitting me by delaying the IMF loan but were trying to hit the working classes of Sri Lanka by attempting to deprive the loan to the nation,†addressing a huge gathering of government servants from Badulla District at the Official... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 25/07/09)
Your Statement on Sri Lanka's Black July
To Jack Layton, MP (NDP member for Toronto-Danforth) Leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP) House of Commons, Ottawa Dear Jack: I appreciate your courtesy to send me your Statement on Sri Lanka’s Black July of 23 July 2009. It was another amazing expression of your innate lack of understanding of Sri Lankan affairs. If the intention was to claw the Tamil votes of the GTA from the Liberals, then I wish you luck. I think this might as well do it to a point. Permit me to deal... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 25/07/09)
CONVERSION AND IT’S DANGERS TO INDIVIDUALS AND THE COUNTRY
Conversion to another Religion is being spoken of lightly by many people today without any real understanding of its dangers. What is conversion? According to the Wikepedia “Religious Conversion is the adoption of a new religious identity, or a change from one religious identity to another. Conversion implies a new reference point for one's self identity. It is a matter of belief and social structureâ€â€ÂÂof both faith and affiliation. This typically entails the sincere avowal of a new belief system, but may also present itself in other ways, such as adoption into an identity group or... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 25/07/09)
LARGEST ISLAMIC CONVENTION IN GREAT BRITAIN
The 43rd Annual Convention of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat UK began last Friday at the vast Oaklands Farm site in Alton known as ‘Hadeeqatul Mahdi’. The event opened with the Friday Sermon delivered by His Holiness, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad the world Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. In his address he spoke of the need for all Ahmadis to work towards improving the impression of Islam within the media and society at large. He said ‘so called’ Muslims had hijacked the name of Islam for... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 25/07/09)
Paradise of green
Time and distance seem to have no meaning in this part of the world. Only when guide Nisaka says “only one hour left,†we think of time. We have heard that several times on our drive from Kandy, the cultural capital of Sri Lanka to Nuwara Eliya, the spectacular tea country, stopping several times to either sip some divine tea at a tea-factory or gorge on the luscious piles of Ramboutan and Mangusteen on the roadsides.... -Full Story- (ExpressBuzz - 25/07/09)
Kochi-Colombo ferry link to resume soon
B. Muralidhar Reddy COLOMBO: India and Sri Lanka would be resuming ferry connectivity between Kochi and Colombo ‘shortly,’ it was announced here at the conclusion of the Second Meeting of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Ministers for Transport. A statement by the Indian High Commission said here that the ferry service would be one of the key links in strengthening trade, social and cultural interaction among the peoples of the SAARC Member-States and to this end, air connectivity between New Delhi & Male would be operationalised as well. R.P.N. Singh, Union Minister of State for Road, Transport... -Full Story- (The Hindu - 25/07/09)
A majority with an inferiority complex?
It was Samuel Taylor Coleridge who said that "Every reform, however necessary, will by weak minds be carried to an excess, that itself will need reforming"; this would be a visionary statement for Sri Lanka post- Prabhakaran with key words being ‘weak minds’ and ‘excess’.  The Sri Lankan military created world history by comprehensively defeating the world’s ‘most ruthless terrorist organisation’ (so baptised by the US State Department) and cleared the way for the country’s development. The manner in which the most treasured sons and daughters of Mother Lanka fought for her self-respect and swept clean... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 24/07/09)
Britain Opposed the IMF Loan to Sri Lanka!
It is reported today that Britain is taking up the position at the IMF Board Meeting that Sri Lanka should not be given the loan of US $ 1.9 billion on the grounds that Sri Lanka has violated Human Rights in holding close upon 300,000 people- Tamils in Camps in the Northern Province. This mass of people were with the LTTE and were actually liberated from the grip of that terrorist organization. The Sri Lankan Government has undertaken to re-settle these people once investigations have been concluded... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 24/07/09)
Sri Lanka Gets $2.6 Billion Loan From IMF to Aid its Economy
By Timothy R. Homan and Shobhana Chandra July 25 (Bloomberg) -- The International Monetary Fund, which has mounted rescues from Iceland to Ukraine in the past year, said it approved a $2.6 billion loan to Sri Lanka. The Washington-based lender’s executive board voted today on the 20-month arrangement aimed at helping the island nation rebuild its economy after the end of a 26-year civil war and replenish its international reserves. About $322 million will be made available immediately, the IMF said in a statement today. “This money is mainly for reserves and balance-of- payments,†Jaliya Wickramasuriya, the country’s ambassador to... -Full Story- (bloomberg.com - 24/07/09)
PRESIDENT RAJAPAKSA SAYS THE VOTERS OF BADULLA SHOULD SHOW THE WORLD THAT THEY ENDORSE ELIMINATION OF TERRORISM
Photos by Sudath Silva President Mahinda Rajapaksa said in Kandy addressing four thousand former opposition UNP members and leaders from Badulla District, who are voting in a Provincial Council election on August 8 that the voters should show the world in an unwavering and determined manner that they endorse the policies of this government in eliminating terrorism from the country.  The former opposition members applied to become members of the governing coalition led by President Rajapaksa and travelled from Badulla to Kandy where the President was staying in his official residence to hand over party... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 24/07/09)
IN AN UNPRECEDENTED ANTI-SRI LANKAN MOVE BRITAIN IS GOING TO BLOCKADE THE IMF LOAN
Britain’s Foreign Secretary David Miliband who travelled to Sri Lanka to save Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam leader Velupillai Prabhakaran wilL also take the unprecedented move of doing everything to block the IMF loan to Sri Lanka , according to a news story appearing in the Times online. The Reuter correspondent who wrote the news story using British government sources said the reasons for trying to blockade the loan are Sri Lanka’s inability to do the impossible: Keeping the army without reducing it and keeping the IDP’s in camps because the demining operations at the civilian... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 24/07/09)
Britain to oppose IMF loan to Sri Lanka over plight of Tamil refugees
Britain was poised tonight to take an unprecedented stand against a US $2.5 billion loan being extended by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to Sri Lanka because of fears over the humanitarian situation in the county. A British Government source said that that it was “not the right time to go forward†with the loan, because Sri Lanka is forcibly detaining nearly 300,000 mostly Tamil refugees in internment camps and spending a large proportion of its wealth on its military - even though the country’s bloody 26-year civil war ended in May. The source said: “The current situation on the... -Full Story- (timesonline.co.uk - 24/07/09)
Sri Lanka Guardian’s shameful “exclusive reportâ€ÂÂÂ, is to hit Karuna below the belt.
There are certain accepted norms that should not be over stepped in civilized societies, in speech, word, or action. It is  to maintain a decorum in respect of a person’s intimate and personal relationships. That should be more so in written or electronic  media. These accepted norms are not followed by some for gain, some seeking a cheap popularity to attract readers, or  internet surfers. In the west there are  tabloid news papers specializing in scandals of celebrities , sex and pornography.  It is the arousing of base instincts of people to be curious to know what... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 24/07/09)
ANOTHER WOMAN VICTIM ATTACKED BY THE SERIAL RAPIST KILLER WHO MURDERED MICHELLE SAMARAWEERA IS FOUND
New Scotland Yard , who are investigating into the murder and rape of the Sri Lankan woman Michelle Samaraweera (35) said in the course of their investigation about the serial rapist killer who attacked her an additional woman victim has also been found.  “Police investigating the murder of Michelle Samaraweera and the two DNA-linked sexual assaults have now officially linked a third rape case to the investigationâ€ÂÂÂ, the police said.  The body of Michelle Samaraweera, believed to have been raped and brutally murdered at the dead of night after visiting a grocery stores was found... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 24/07/09)
Northeast India : Where protector turns killer
The police highhandedness in India is not a new phenomenon. And the scaredness towards the ‘men in uniform’ is omnipresent in the society from rural to urban, low to high class and the poor to rich one. Because, it is well accepted in the Indian society, the police can be nobody’s trusted friends. A recent awful incident, taking place in Northeast India-where two motor vehicle workers were shot dead by the personal security officer (PSO) of an Assam police superintendent (CID) for no justified reason- has proved once again that those men under the cover of uniform... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 24/07/09)
Sweden to close down embassy in Sri Lanka
COLOMBO: The Swedish Government has decided to close its embassy in Colombo as part of its cost cutting measures. These measures are a necessary part of balancing the ministry for foreign affairs budget and adapting it to its allocated appropriations, the Swedish foreign ministry said in a statement. The closure of the embassy in Colombo is to be completed by 31 March 2010 ‘at the latest’, the statement said. The consulates-General in Kaliningrad (Russia), Canton (China), Los Angeles and New York are also being closed, it said. “In connection with the Government's review of development cooperation in 2007 a decision... -Full Story- (thehindubusinessline.com - 24/07/09)
India, Lanka to ink MoU on power transmission
NEW DELHI: India has proposed to sign a MoU with Sri Lanka for conducting a feasibility study for establishing a power transmission system of 1000 MW capacity using overhead and sub-marine cables between two nations. “The system will have two High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) terminal stations at both sides of the link,†Mr Sushil Kumar Shinde, Power Minister said in a written reply in Lok Sabha today. As per the pre-feasibility report, the total estimated cost of the scheme is around Rs 2,300 crore, the minister said adding the length of the HVDC line would be approximately 350-400 kms.... -Full Story- (thehindubusinessline.com - 24/07/09)
IMF loan shows increased confidence: Colombo
B. Muralidhar Reddy COLOMBO: The Sri Lankan government on Friday said the end of the war against the LTTE has increased the confidence of the international community which is reflected by the decision of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to grant a $2.5-billion loan facility. A statement on the Presidential Secretariat website said the Asian Development Bank (ADB) also planned to increase its lending by 50 per cent to help rebuild it after ending its 26-year conflict. The Manila-based lender plans to raise Sri Lanka’s annual allocation to $300 million in 2010 from $200 million, to fund road, power and... -Full Story- (The Hindu - 24/07/09)
Sri Lanka’s Wickramasuriya Says $2.5 Billion IMF Loan Approved
July 24 (Bloomberg) -- The International Monetary Fund approved a loan of about $2.5 billion to Sri Lanka, said Jaliya Wickramasuriya, the country’s ambassador to the U.S., in an interview today in Washington.... -Full Story- (bloomberg.com - 24/07/09)
Sri Lanka's Successful War on Terror Irks West Double Standards Evident in the West's Attitude to Sri Lanka
http://www.suite101.com/profile.cfm/sanjiva One of the few nations in modern times to militarily defeat a terrorist Movement, Sri Lanka now faces criticism by self-appointed guardians of Human Rights in the West. From the viewpoint of Western, based organizations like New York based Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, Sri Lanka’s recently concluded war on terror - against the terrorist group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam or LTTE - should have been fought like a cricket match on the playing fields of Eton. " The Sri Lankan government" claim Kenneth Roth, Executive director of Human Rights Watch and Yvonne... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 23/07/09)
CHANNEL 4 INTERVIEW IN UK OF KP WAS FULL OF CONTRADICTIONS AND THE INTERVIEWER DID NOT WANT TO ASK EMBARRASSING QUESTIONS
Kumaran Pathmanathan who helped the world’s most ruthless terrorist group, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to build their military might and their vicious suicide bomber network made self contradictory statements in an interview with London’s Channel 4 Television news.  The man accepted as a the leader of a section of some expatriate members of the banned terrorist organization told the news program that since the international community wanted them to do so they have decided to achieve a separate country by dividing Sri Lanka by peaceful means when he was interviewed at an undisclosed... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 23/07/09)
EROS accused British TV channel over glorifying terrorism
 Nesan Shankar Raji, Senior leader and spokesperson of Eelam Revolutionary Organisation (EROS) and their political wing which is actively involve in democratic political main stream in East and North of Sri Lanka, Eelavar Democratic Front (EDF) issued a statesment on newly appointetd LTTE leader Kumaran Pathmanathan allias KP's TV interview on UK Channel 4 news. It was broadcasted on 22nd July 2009 at 7.00pm and EROS is furious about many misleading claimes made by KP in the interview. It was recorded in a hidden place out side Sri Lanka.EROS has already complained to the TV... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 23/07/09)
No to India -Sri Lanka, bridge proposal
I am referring to the proposal for the India - Sri Lanka Bridge ref: http://www.amarasara.info/hotnews/20090719-02.htm  Amal Kumarage, chairman of the island’s National Transport Commission, said the bridge will help Sri Lanka regain its regional identity and be part of a continent. Threats have been made by South Indian politicians that they will use the Indian Army to create an Ealaam. In the past, the sea between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka provided some degree of protection from Tamil Invaders. Even with the sea as a barrier, Tamil war lords invaded Sri Lanka and destroyed our irrigation system... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 23/07/09)
G. L. PEIRIS SAYS THE IMF LOAN SRI LANKA IS GETTING IS THE BIGGEST EVER IN ITS HISTORY
Professor G.L. Peiris, the Sri Lankan cabinet minister who actively campaigned in Washington DC to obtain the IMF loan said yesterday in Colombo the US $2.5 billion loan Sri Lanka is getting is the biggest ever loan the island nation has ever got in its history.  “We are getting the loan in eight instalments and the first instalment will start tomorrow and end with the instalment on March 15 2011,†Peiris said addressing a press conference in Colombo.  He categorically said no condition of the loan agreement contravenes any policy contained in the Mahinda Chinthanaya, the... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 23/07/09)
ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK INCREASES ITS LOAN TO SRI LANKA BY FIFTY PERCENT NEXT YEAR FOR REBUILDING
To rebuild the ruined economy of Sri Lanka by the 26-year old war with the Tamil Tigers Asian Development Bank (ADB) has decided to increase its loan for 2010 by 50 percent , the bank sources said. Accordingly Sri Lanka’s annual allocation of US $200 million has been increased to US $ 300 million, the same sources revealed. The bank’s lead economist for South Asia, Narhari Rao who is in Colombo these days said, the loan will fund roads, power, water and sanitation projects in the North and the East among other projects. The favorable increase... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 23/07/09)
SRI LANKANS IN GREATER WASHINGTON AREA CONTRIBUTE FOR API WENUWEN API FUND
Members of the Sri Lankan community in the Washington, D.C. area raised thousands of dollars Saturday for a housing program that will help members of Sri Lanka’s armed forces buy homes. The July 18 event occurred simultaneously at the homes of Ambassador Jaliya Wickramasuriya and five diplomats assigned to the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington, D.C. The diplomats invited local Sri Lankans to their homes to enjoy traditional food and learn about the Ministry of Defense’s Api Wenuwen Api Ranaviru Housing Project Fund. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka’s Secretary of Defence, spoke... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 23/07/09)
Russia contributes US$500,000 for UNHCR humanitarian programmes in Sri Lanka
The government of the Russian Federation has generously contributed US$500,000 to the budget of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to be earmarked for UNHCR programmes in Sri Lanka aimed at addressing the current humanitarian needs in the country, and has expressed its hope that the funds would benefit Sri Lanka and its people.  The funds are part of Russia's annual voluntary contribution to the budget of the Office of the UNHCR.  This was communicated to H.E. Dr. Dayan... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 23/07/09)
Foreign Buddhist delegation met president.
(Pix Sudath silva) Most Ven. Sudham Sudhammo Thero, the executive assistant abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya, Thailand and the President of the Buddhist Federation of Australia, and his delegation visited Temple Trees on 22nd of July. Buddhist delegation thanked President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the meeting for giving opportunity to researches Utilize Ola-leave manuscripts around the country in searching original teachings of the Buddha, as well as protect Dhamma in preserving teaching of Buddha in digital form which will last longer than in Ola-leave manuscripts. Ven. Rambukwelle Dhammarakkitha, Ven. Vatinapaha Somarathana and the Minister Laxman Yapa Abegunawardana... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 23/07/09)
THE PARTIAL JUSTICE
The Mumbai Attacks have turned the Indo-Pak relationship to such a blind alley where there is neither a ray of hope nor a gleam of optimism. We may call it a dead -lock. The question arises; who is getting the benefit of this dead-lock; Pakistan or India? Whosoever is the beneficiary of these attacks is the actual master mind behind the game. Since just after these attacks, Pakistan has been facing a lot of turmoil; all guns targeting Pakistan. The Indian officials, the Indian army, the Indian politicians and the Indian media, all started blaming Pakistan and... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 23/07/09)
Shame On You Danish Kaneria!
July 22nd 2009 Perhaps Pakistan legspinner Danish Kaneria who has been found guilty of breaching the ICC Code of Conduct on day two of the ongoing Test at the SSC Stadium in Colombo needs to be taught a thing or two about personal conduct while playing the Gentlemen's Game so as not to behave like a slumdog who has taken to the game for the first time and appears to be exactly what the title emphasizes barking around in limbo and seems to have missed his cue in trying to deal with... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 23/07/09)
Harvard professor demands apology
Katie Zezima and Abby Goodnough BOSTON: Disorderly conduct charges against the Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr. have been dropped, but Mr. Gates said he wanted a personal apology from the Cambridge police officer who arrested him last week on the front porch of his home. Mr. Gates, a leading authority on African-American history, said he thought it was because he is African that the officer, Sgt. James Crowley, had not at first believed he lived in the upscale home. “I would like a one-on-one with Officer Crowley,†he said in an interview, “and I’d like him to apologise. But... -Full Story- (The Hindu - 23/07/09)
SRI LANKAN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS VISIT SRI LANKAN EMBASSY
A group of 30 Sri Lankan high school students visited the Embassy of Sri Lanka last week. They met with the Embassy staff and posed questions about issues such as the recent victory over the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, internally displaced persons and Sri Lanka’s relations with the United States. Ambassador Jaliya Wickramasuriya informed the student how the Embassy works and what his duties are in Washington. He also added that the Embassy staff has frequently met with members of Congress and Senior officials from the U.S. Government Departments and Institutions. He... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 23/07/09)
Police acted stupidly: Obama
Helene Cooper WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama bluntly accused the police of acting “stupidly†by arresting Mr. Gates last week. Mr. Obama stopped short of accusing the police department of racial profiling, as Mr. Gates has done. But during a prime-time White House news conference that was otherwise largely devoted to health care, Mr. Obama weighed in full bore on the Gates case and suggested that the police should never have arrested him.... -Full Story- (The Hindu - 23/07/09)
Army troops continues clearing operations, large haul of LTTE war materials found
Troops of 57 Division, Task Force 3 (TF-3), TF-4, TF-5 and TF-8 have uncovered large haul of LTTE military items while conducing clearing operations in recently liberated areas yesterday, 22 July, military report said. According to the report, 57 Division recovered following war materials from Dharmapuram area.... -Full Story- (defence.lk - 23/07/09)
Sweden to close embassy, four consulates
STOCKHOLM, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Sweden said Thursday that it plans to close its embassy in Colombo and consulates-general in Guangzhou, Kaliningrad, Los Angeles and New York. "These measures are a necessary part of balancing the Ministry for Foreign Affairs budget and adapting it to its allocated appropriations. The Swedish Foreign Service changes along with the rest of the world and Sweden has opened 30 embassies and consulates and closed 43 others since 1990," the government said in a statement. The Foreign Service staff also will be reduced by 100 by 2010 and the agency's property costs will be lowered... -Full Story- (Xinhua - 23/07/09)
Sri Lanka IMF loan should be contingent on human rights progress: HRW
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) [official website] should require the Sri Lankan government to address human rights abuses [press release] as a condition for a USD $2.5 billion emergency loan, Human Rights Watch (HRW) [advocacy website] said Thursday. HRW claims that even after the 25-year civil war between the government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) [JURIST news archive] ended two months ago, the government continues to illegally hold more than 280,000 detainees. HRW Asia director Brad Adams said, "[t]o approve a loan, especially $600 million more than the government even asked for, while they... -Full Story- (jurist.law.pitt.edu - 23/07/09)
India denies Pakistan's report on Indian involvement in terror attacks
NEW DELHI, July 23 (Xinhua) -- India Thursday denied a report by a leading Pakistani newspaper that New Delhi has received a dossier from Islamabad on India's alleged role in unrest in Pakistan's Balochistan province and terror attacks on Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore in March. Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor said that India has not received any such dossier from Pakistan, which blames the country's intelligence agents for involvement in Pakistan's internal affairs to destabilize the neighboring country. "India has no role in Pakistan's internal matters. India is not interested in destabilizing Pakistan. It... -Full Story- (Xinhua - 23/07/09)
India dismisses report claiming RAW's hand in Lahore attack
ON BOARD SPECIAL AIRCRAFT: India on Thursday termed as speculative a Pakistani media report that claimed involvement of RAW in the attack on Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore on March 3. "Government does not react to press reports and media speculation. If there is anything that comes through the government side, then the government will react," External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said. Krishna, who was speaking to reporters while returning from Phuket after attending ASEAN meetings, was responding when asked to comment on a Pakistani newspaper report that Pakistan had "evidence" of involvement of RAW in the March... -Full Story- (economictimes.indiatimes.com - 23/07/09)
Colombo to resettle Tamils after demining
operations: Krishna By Manish Chand, On Board Special Aircraft, July 23 : External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna Thursday said Sri Lanka has assured India that it will start the process of building houses for over 300,000 Tamil civilians living in temporary camps after the ongoing demining operations in the island nation are completed.... -Full Story- (newkerala.com - 23/07/09)
Implementation of the 13th Amendment may Create Separate Ethnic Provinces.
President’s opinion.  President Mahinda Rajapakse very wisely ruled out separate ethnic provinces in Sri Lanka. As the supreme ruler of the country he is in a very good position to judge, what is best for the country, in creating a peaceful environment for all Sri Lankans after the LTTE is defeated. The President may have taken this wise decision after much deliberation and consideration of the opinions of the wider public debating about the Amendment 13. President is well aware that the implementation of the 13th Amendment may create Ethnic provinces... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 22/07/09)
HEAVY INFIGHTING IN WHAT IS REMAINING OF THE LTTE AND SOME SAY THE LEADERSHIP OF KP LACKS CREDIBILITY
Indicating heavy infighting in the terrorist outfit of the Tamil Tigers a section of the movement calling itself the Executive Committee said that the former arms procurer of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Selvarasa Pathmanathan alias KP would head the organization leading to the restructuring of the movement. But the main mouthpiece of the outfit, the Tamil Net quoting unnamed “LTTE watchers†said , “that the new formation has the burden to prove its credibility with the grass root at home and among the Diaspora that aspire not incumbencies but a strong mass organization... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 22/07/09)
CIVILIAN TRANSPORTATION STARTS ALONG A9 HIGHWAY FROM JAFFNA TO COLOMBO PASSING DIVIDENDS OF PEACE TO THE PEOPLE
Linking the North and South after two decades the A9 highway was yesterday declared open by Basil Rajapaksa parliamentarian and Special Advisor to the President and cabinet minister Douglas Devananda. Basil presides over “Uthuru Wasanthayaâ€ÂÂÂ, a rapid development scheme for liberated districts of Jaffna.  Two hundred civilians from Jaffna were loaded to the buses flying national flags and started the new historical journey from Jaffna’s Alfred Duriappa Stadium to Colombo.  Due to the opening of the highway to civilian traffic, the transportation of goods hitherto done by ships also could be done by surface and due... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 22/07/09)
To explain what is not explained in Lydia Polgreen’s article “ Justifying a Costly War in Sri Lanka “
Lydia Polgreen writing to the New York Times of the 18 July, 2009, leads her article with the caption “ Justifying a Costly War in Sri Lanka.â€ÂÂÂ, which by itself seems an innuendo with an intention to condemn an “ unnecessary war†according to her, for which an unconcerned government has spent money which could have been spent better otherwise.  The West and its media promoting political solutions to terrorism in developing countries while they resort to the military solution, are shocked that Sri Lanka ventured on a successful military solution and eliminated terrorism from its soil,... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 22/07/09)
Tamil Tigers get millions from Canada
July 22, 2009 The Editor (letters) THE OTTAWA CITIZEN Sir: “Tigers got millions from Canadian Tamils: reportâ€ÂÂÂ, you said. “Intelligence experts say the now defeated Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam received millions a year from Canada’s Tamil Diasporaâ€ÂÂÂ, your news item continued. This is not  ‘hot from the press’ news, as it is stale by over 10 years, as we knew it since the early 1990s during the Liberal era, when the then government decided to look away when the mainly Toronto and Montreal Tamils stuffed the Tamil Tiger war... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 22/07/09)
A secret back channel
US and Israel miserably failed in gaining success in their Middle Eastern and South Asian policies. The murder of Hariri in Lebanon and strengthening of Muslim nationalism led US and Israel to involve third party in fulfilling their objectives. However, they could not find a better partner than India to play as a front man.  In the same regard, US is also utilising the services of most trusted former Middle East peace envoy under President Bill Clinton, Dennis Ross, to deal with Middle East and South Asia, primarily focusing on Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Ross is already... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 22/07/09)
Bob Rae's comment on IMF loan for Sri Lanka
July 21, 2009 Hon. Bob Rae, MP Liberal Party Foreign Affairs Critic House of Commons,. Ottawa Dear Bob:  Sri Lanka’s Daily Mirror news item of July 18th which said, “Bob Rae calls for conditions on any IMF loan on Sri Lanka –Canadian opposition Liberal Party MP Bob Rae insists that conditions need to be strictly applied to any loan to Sri Lanka from International Monetary Fund, based on humanitarian concernsâ€ÂÂÂ, nails the reason why you were declared as a “threat to national securityâ€ÂÂÂ, and barred entering Sri Lanka on... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 22/07/09)
PRESIDENT SAYS HE IS READY TO GO TO ANY COURT IN THE WORLD TO DEFEND HIS SOLDIERS WHO CARRIED OUT ORDERS TO WIPE OUT TERRORISM
President Rajapaksa told a ruling party women’s organization in Moneragala in Uva Province yesterday that he is prepared to face any court anywhere in the world on behalf of the Sri Lankan armed forces officers who carried out orders by him to wipe out terrorism from Sri Lanka. President Rajapaksa said that nefarious elements are now concocting evidence against the patriotic leaders of the armed forces threatening they would be taken before courts for wiping out terrorism from Sri Lanka and those who are scheming should remember that those officers were simply carrying out orders given... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 21/07/09)
RULED BY KINGS AND PRESIDENTS LIKE KINGS
Everytime Lankan political leaders have political capital, they almost always abuse it. Take the case of Mrs B in the 1970's. She won a huge majority in 1970 and rushed to nationalise everything owned by the so called capitalist forces. At least that was within the power that she won a mandate from people. Worst, she brought onboard many close and distant relations to run the goverment apparatus. It was Ratwatte and Co . Needless to say her receipe pulled our 3rd world country to the 5th world. People had to line up for a simple loaf of... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 21/07/09)
Man jailed for keeping several fake passports in the UK
A Sri Lankan Tamil man found guilty of keeping a fake French passport, two forged National Insurance cards, two fake British passports and a driving licence at Croydon Crown Court in South London on Friday 17th July. Sivabalan Durai (27), from Harrow –Middlesex, was arrested with three other people on July 2nd when officials from the UK Border Agency immigration swooped on a company called Super Toughened Glass, a manufacturing firm based in Willenfield Road, Park Royal, North West London. The officials raided couple of other firms in Park Royal area looking for illegal workers.... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 21/07/09)
The legends
Now it’s time to rewrite Mahavansa to review and to analyze the modern history It’s to pay our tribute to national heroes Gotabhaya and Mahinda ...the fearless giants  Their names will ever remain as legends Together they were able to change the history The nation was saved from the hands of terror, and the racist fascism is eradicated forever!  It is not the weapons that won the battle But the spirit of young men and women, that brought us lasting peace...thus freedom Mahinda the 7th and the prince of defence Commanded... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 21/07/09)
Speech made by Honorable Navin Dissanayake, Minister of Investment Promotion, at the National Forum on City Cluster Economic Development
Speech made by Honorable Navin Dissanayake, Minister of Investment Promotion, at the National Forum on City Cluster Economic Development on 17th July 2009 at Galle Face Hotel. It is a great pleasure to address you today, especially on a very topical subject. However, I wish to take your mind back to the ancient world history for a minute. Damascus, the capital of Syria is considered the most ancient metropolis in the world. It occupies that status as the most lasting continually inhabited city in our planet. Ladies and gentlemen, when one talks about... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 21/07/09)
AMBASSADOR OF SRI LANKA DISCUSSES POST-CONFLICT ISSUES WITH US DEFENSE OFFICIALS
Ambassador Jaliya Wickramasuriya last week met with Robert M. Scher, the newly appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South & Southeast Asia at the US Department of Defense. Deputy Assistant Secretary Scher congratulated the Government of Sri Lanka for defeating the LTTE and for eliminating terrorism from the country. Ambassador Wickramasuriya thanked the United States for providing support, especially in terms of curbing the funding and logistical network in the effort to eliminate the LTTE. Deputy Assistant Secretary Scher said that the US Department... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 21/07/09)
The Sri Lankan “Ethnic†Crisis; Colonial conspiracies, myths and fallacies invented by the Tamils
17.7.2009.It is usually we the Sinhalese who are blamed by the Tamils and the West for the so-called ethnic crisis in Sri Lanka. But very few people realize that the real cause for this tragedy lies somewhere else. The reason d’être, in my opinion, is neither ethnic nor religious. This is the first reality that has to be properly understood by everybody and then defeated, as the first step in order to resolve this problem. If you carefully analyze the historical back ground of this current so-called... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 20/07/09)
Devolution, Federalism, 13th Amendment & Accords are History in Unitary Island
All the political cooks and crooks of all colours from Great Britain, India, Norway, have been donating their wisdom, with and without an agenda, to Ceylon / Sri Lanka since the independence. Indian engagement led by Rajiv Gandhi in 1987 was selfishly political in favour of the Tamils and the LTTE. And the LTTE, in their true tradition, thanked Gandhi with a gift of love, in the form of a suicide bomber, which blew his brains out. Its ironic that the entire world is craving to create a solution to safeguard the Tamils. Any volunteers to... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 20/07/09)
RAJAPAKSA SAYS RIDICULOUS POWER WHO KILLED ALL MEN ABOVE 18 YEARS IN SRI LANKA IS TRYING TO TEACH US HUMAN RIGHTS
President Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday certain powers who killed all young men above 18 years following the great rebellion in Uva Wellassa in Sri Lanka are ridiculously trying to teach us human rights today.  The President said, “They are targeting Sri Lanka for the violations of human rights today to cover up their own sins in these massacres of the past.† “They systematically destroyed a self –sufficient economy by destroying the great irrigation works in the area. This area was an extremely rich area that was converted into that of poverty,†the President said addressing a... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 20/07/09)
Portrait of a Disciplined Soldier…………….
 “Running a peacetime army is quite different. Discipline has to be emphasized. I am very concerned about it," Right words from a friendly-disciplinarian. The vision of the new commander of armed forces quiet clear & flawless, very much within the expected boundaries of well motivated army. Proving the old saying “all well ends well†it seems that correct man at the helm at the correct time. Proper mindset focused on carefully selected areas of welfare and well being of his men and women is the foundation for a disciplined army. Proper direction for the post war armed... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 20/07/09)
Re: Tamil tragedy Continues - July 17,2009
To National Post Toronto, Ontario. Re: Tamil tragedy Continues - July 17,2009  I am writing in response to an article by Roy Ratnavale titled "The Tamil Tragedy Continues" published on July 17, 2009. It is a litany of half truths and fabricated statistics that are the hallmark of Tamil Tiger terrorist propaganda. I will comment on some of the most questionable statements to illustrate the false information that is flooding the international media in the wake of the deaths of the Tamil Tiger terrorist leaders in May.  What he calls the "so-called humanitarian... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 20/07/09)
Dayan Jayatilleke too won a “war †for the President, in the diplomatic front.
 It is a contradiction of the President Mahinda Rajapakse, who had on the one hand most rightly promoted the leadership of the Government Armed Forces in recognition of their heroic contribution to save Sri Lanka from the perils of terrorism, and on the other hand to have “sacked†the most distinguished , brilliant, forthright, and an outspoken diplomatic worrier who won another “war†for him in the diplomatic front in Geneva.  It was a great fortune that we had Dayan Jayatilleke in Geneva at a time when the International Community was all out to take revenge from... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 20/07/09)
FESTIVAL OF CRICKET IN THE UK ATTAINED MATURITY AT 21
Twenty one years ago on a sunny morning, 3 of July in 1989 to be specific, thousands of Sri Lankan expatriates gathered at the Maori Club in a suburb of London, Worcester Park, Surrey, to witness and celebrate what was introduced as the Festival of Cricket (FOC) organised by Six Old Boys Associations of Sri Lankan alma mater . The main objective behind the founding was to attract a full spectrum of the Sri Lankan expatriate community in the UK, with their families, to a single rendezvous on an open day, and offer them... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 20/07/09)
Regarding The Contentious Attack On One Of Sri Lanka's Proudest Sons, Dayan Jayatilleka, By A Fellow Sinhalese Expatriate 'Compatriot'!
July 20th 2009 It is somewhat disheartening to read Mr C Jayawickrema ~ expatriate armchair critic extraordinaire's indiscriminate attack on Sri Lanka's UN Ambassador in Switzerland Mr.Dayan Jayatilleka one of Sri Lanka's proudest sons and esteemed intellectuals as well as an apointee of President Rajapaksha to the Diplomatic Corps based on capabilities and proven track record who saw him fit to carry the office he was appointed to, and by which contention the argument about the credibilities of Jayawickrema's diatribe against Ambassador Jayatilleka needs to be trashed with no compunctions. Perhaps... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 20/07/09)
IMF, Sri Lanka agree on $2.5 billion loan
7/20/2009, 4:05 p.m. EDT The Associated Press (AP)  WASHINGTON - The International Monetary Fund and Sri Lanka have agreed on a $2.5 billion loan to help with reconstruction after the end of a 25-year civil war. Once the board approves the loan, Sri Lanka can get $313 million immediately. The board meets July 24. The IMF said the end of the war in May between the government and Tamil Tiger rebels "provides Sri Lanka with a unique opportunity to undertake economic reform and reconstruction." The head of the IMF, Dominque Strauss-Kahn, said Monday that Sri Lanka has an "ambitious... -Full Story- (silive.com - 20/07/09)
IMF tentatively OKs $2.5 bln loan to Sri Lanka
WASHINGTON (AFP) – The International Monetary Fund on Monday said it had provisionally approved a 2.5 billion dollar loan to Sri Lanka to help the country cope with the global financial crisis. IMF managing director Dominique Strauss-Kahn said that an IMF staff mission reached an agreement with the Sri Lankan authorities on an economic program that "could be supported" by a 20-month stand-by credit for an amount equivalent to roughly 2.5 billion dollars. The loan is worth 1.65 billion Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), an IMF asset that is based on a basket of currencies -- the dollar, yen, euro and... -Full Story- (news.yahoo.com - 20/07/09)
Sri Lanka: Radical diaspora could back new violence
SUBJECT: Radicalisation in the Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora. SIGNIFICANCE: Members of the million-strong Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora organised large-scale meetings in early 2009 in which support for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam was openly, and illegally, expressed. Funding, arms procurement and advocacy by Tamils in North America, Europe and Australasia played an important role in the island's ethnic conflict; any resurgence of separatist violence would likely be led from those areas -- to the consternation of host governments.... -Full Story- (Relief Web - 20/07/09)
People above 60 released from camps: Rajapaksa
B. Muralidhar Reddy 40,000 children being given education Special group to address human rights COLOMBO: Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has said his government has released all people above 60 from the temporary camps for the war-displaced while 40,000 children are being given education. Nearly 15,000 people above 60 had reported in the camps. The government on Monday said it would appoint a special group headed by Attorney-General Mohan Peiris PC to address human rights issues and report to the Cabinet.... -Full Story- (The Hindu - 20/07/09)
Stock exchange re-opens for public
After a lapse of over a year, the trading floor of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) was officially opened to the public by Sri Lanka’s Minister of Public Administration and Home Affairs and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Sarath Amunugama at the World Trade Centre in Colombo, yesterday.... -Full Story- (Gulf Times - 20/07/09)
Sri Lanka Military Recovers Tamil Tiger Submarine
By VOA News 20 July 2009 Sri Lanka's military says troops have recovered another submarine-type craft in an area formerly controlled by the defeated Tamil Tiger rebels. Military officials say the submersible vehicle, capable of carrying a crew of three, was found late Saturday submerged about 500 meters off the coast of the northeastern district of Mullaittivu. Several submersible devices had been found by the military in the final phase of Sri Lanka's decades-long civil war that ended two months ago with the defeat of the Tamil Tigers and the death of the group's leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran.... -Full Story- (voanews.com - 20/07/09)
Jaffna grapes flood Lankan markets, prices crash
With the opening of transport links across the country after the elimination of LTTE rebels from the north, famous grapes from Jaffna are flooding the market here, sending the prices of the fruit crashing.With the resumption of transport, there has already been a flow of goods in both directions -- south and north of the island nation. The beginning of trade between the two regions has improved the availability of essential goods and reduced their prices. Grapes from Jaffna at some markets here are now selling at as low as SLR 100 per half a kilo as against SLR 100... -Full Story- (deccanherald.com - 20/07/09)
Sri Lanka to have action plan on human rights
COLOMBO, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The Sri Lankan government said Monday that it would soon announce an action plan to safeguard human rights and prevent torture and disappearances. "This action plan would show our commitment and our determination to minimize, prevent or even eradicate torture and disappearances," Minister of Human Rights Mahinda Samarasinghe told reporters. Samarasinghe said a committee headed by the island's attorney general has been appointed to draft the plan. "The committee is tasked to come out with the plan as soon as possible," Samarasinghe said. Sri Lanka's recent human rights record was called into question during the... -Full Story- (Xinhua - 20/07/09)
Sri Lanka not to prosecute child LTTE soldiers: Rajapaksa
In a humanitarian gesture to Tamils, Sri Lanka has said that child soldiers recruited by the LTTE would not be prosecuted, and instead made to go to schools. The gesture was announced by the President Mahinda Rajapaksa who said: "our hearts are not vicious. We will not prosecute children who are 12, 13 and 14 years of age and were forced to take up arms." "We need to integrate them into society after rehabilitation," he said.... -Full Story- (deccanherald.com - 20/07/09)
International Red Cross quits Sri Lanka's east
COLOMBO, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Sri Lanka announced Monday that it had quit the island's Eastern Province once partly controlled by Tamil Tiger rebels. "The International Committee of the Red Cross has closed its offices in the Eastern Province namely those in Akkaraipattu, Batticaloa, Mutur and Trincomalee," the ICRC's Colombo office said in a statement. The closures took place on July 17, following the recent announcement of the ICRC that it was scaling down its operations in the country, the statement added. The Sri Lankan government said early this month that... -Full Story- (Xinhua - 20/07/09)
Health issues loom for Sri Lanka’s displaced (DPA)
21 July 2009 COLOMBO - Scorching sun, swarming flies and dusty terrain greet visitors to camps in northern Sri Lanka where tens of thousands of civilians are housed after being displaced in the country’s civil war. Flies are rampant and hygiene is a life-threatening issue, a visitor to the camps told the German Press Agency dpa. “The flies are so infinite we saw merchants sitting inside makeshift nets selling things.†Toilet facilities are also inadequate. “In one camp we saw some of the tents been removed and the area used as open defecating areas. On both sides of the road... -Full Story- (khaleejtimes.com - 20/07/09)
NEWYORK TIMES SAYS PRESIDENT RAJAPAKSA IS CERTAIN TO RECEIVE A SECOND MANDATE FROM THE PEOPLE OF SRI LANKA
President Mahinda Rajapaksa told the New York Times that he was given a mandate by the people to defeat terrorism and this time he wants to go to the people to receive a mandate to give a political solution to the problem . He said, ““I was given a mandate to defeat terrorism; I have defeated them. Now I must go and tell them now I want a mandate to settle this problem forever, a political solution.†Writing optimistically about the Presidential hopes about receiving a mandate the New York Times said, “Mr. Rajapaksa is all... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 19/07/09)
AZERBAIJAN NEWS AGENCY TREND SAYS MAHINDA RAJAPAKSA POSITION AT THE NEXT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION WILL BE UNASSAILABLE
Azerbaijan’s Trend News Agency said at the next Presidential election after November this year in Sri Lanka , President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s position will be very unassailable. “Rajapakse currently enjoys an unassailable position on the strength of his unprecedented victory over Tamil Tiger rebels,â€ÂÂÂthe news agency said. The item published by the news agency cited the following reason for President Rajapaksa’s strong position in Sri Lanka’s polity: “ Rajapakse was able to win a civil war between the government troops and the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in the last three years, ending the rebels' 30-year-old... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 19/07/09)
President opened an electricity project at Naagadeepa Temple
President Mahinda Rajapaksa made a night visit to Naagadeepa Rajamaha Vihara in Rideemaliyadda at Mahiyanganaya on 17th July while he was in Uva Wellassa area. President Rajapaksa officially opened an electricity project at Nagadeepa Rajamaha Viharaya. Venerable Maha sanga ,SLFP Organaizer of Badulla District Mr.Anura Vidanagamage and devotees of the temple were present. (pix Saudth Silva)... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 19/07/09)
Lankan diplomat to UN sacked, no reason given
M.R. Narayan Swamy New Delhi July 19: One of Sri Lanka’s most outspoken diplomats who consistently argued for devolution of power to the country’s minorities has been sacked by Colombo. In one of the most significant developments since the Tamil Tigers were decimated in May, Dayan Jayatilleka, Sri Lanka’s permanent representative to the UN in Geneva, has been told to go home by August 20. No reason has been given to Mr Jayatilleka, 52, for the sudden decision. But his friends have told him that his fate has chiefly been decided by Sinhalese hardliners unhappy with his political views. A... -Full Story- (asianage.com - 19/07/09)
LTTE provided Tamil translations on war strategy to cadres
Colombo, PTI: A perfect srategist who undertook operations against the Sri Lankan Army methodically, Velupillai Prabhakaran provided Tamil translations on English language books on war strategy to his cadres to take on the government forces. A perfect srategist who undertook operations against the Sri Lankan Army methodically, Velupillai Prabhakaran provided Tamil translations on English language books on war strategy to his cadres to take on the government forces. English books on war strategy with Tamil translations and maps showing LTTE sea routes and several personal documents of Prabhakaran, including bank account deatils, were some of the articles recovered from Wanni... -Full Story- (deccanherald.com - 19/07/09)
Sri Lankan troops recover Tamil rebel chief's secret documents
Colombo - Sri Lanka's security forces and police have unearthed secret documents belonging to the deceased leader of the rebel Tamil Tigers, a local newspaper reported Sunday. The documents belonging to Velupillai Prabhakaran, who was killed in the final days of conflict between his forces and the Sri Lankan army in May. They were discovered in barrels in Vellamulliyavaikkal, 395 kilometres north east of the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo.... -Full Story- (monstersandcritics.com - 19/07/09)
Shrine braces up for pageantry
The famous 17th century temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is breathing easy for the first time in many years ahead of a pageant that draws hundreds of thousands of people to this sacred Buddhist town. For, the Tamil Tigers lie vanquished. “We are expecting nearly double the number of visitors to the annual pageant as the security has improved vastly following the defeat of the Tamil Tigers,†said Pradeep Nilanga Dela, chief custodian of the shrine known as Sri Dalada Maligawa. “Until last year we used to have about 250,000 visitors from all over the world for the pageant,... -Full Story- (Gulf Times - 19/07/09)
Is it really necessary to implement the 13 Amendment ?
 Sri Lanka Media is being stormed with articles on the implementation of the 13 Amendment to the Sri Lanka Constitution. There are one or two in favour and many against . I am sure the President is following the controversies to reflect on them before he takes a final decision.  We understand his predicament, as a Head of State, having to follow a difficult middle path satisfying the powerful neighbour and the International Community on the one hand, and the local political interests on the other. If India’s demand for the full implementation of the 13 Amendment... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 19/07/09)
Thirteenth Amendment plus ... a look at probabilities..
The terrorist road to Eelam has been closed, thanks to the courage of the Commander-in-Chief and his brilliant team of leaders and fighting men. But the LTTE always had a multi-pronged drive for Eelam, and the LTTE, its diaspora, and countries whose intentions are unclear, are pressing for the re-opening of Route 13A - the political road to Eelam, the Thirteenth Amendment. And not merely 13A, but 13A Plus. Independence, Sovereignty, Unity and Territorial Integrity The implications of 13A deserve to be discussed as calmly as possible, without labelling any views as extremist, chauvinist,... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 19/07/09)
Give it; give it all, Chairman.
Tamils say they have grievances. But they had never listed it or asked the government to cure it. Instead they came up with uncanny aspirations as a remedy. Grievances we should cure but not the aspirations that are full of hidden agenda. Let’s make no mistake; the goal of aspirations was and still is Eelam. LTTE wanted a straight run to it with its wacky ISGA. Every Tamil waited eagerly for the D day. And they include those that were wacked by and mollycoddled by LTTE. If RanilW hadn’t been thrown out by ChandrikaK, LTTE would have... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 19/07/09)
Who are the racists ?
The natural tendency in the world these days is to condemn the Sinhalese as those who started racism in Sri Lanka. Most Catholic priests in Sri Lanka, Anandasangaree & Co , retired Chief Justice and a lot more overseas pundits ( Ignore Indian politicians for the time being) like to advise GOSL not to keep “civilians†in camps, implying Sinhalese as racists who suppress the minority. Even some educated and reasonably wise Sinhalese have some guilt in their hearts on this. Just because we called Tamils as “Tamils†in a naughty tone (there is underlying friendliness... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 18/07/09)
Real Reasons for the 13A Implementation
Apart from old school communists and their admirers, none is promoting the 13A. Their fascination of the 13A is understandable. However, there is a deeper, more sinister reason for the 13A at this stage. India’s help to crush the Liberation Terrorists of Tamil Elam (LTTE) was conditional upon the full implementation of the 13A; it was never based on genuine concern for Sri Lanka. It was never based on the understanding that LTTE terrorists must be put out of business. There was a time, not so long ago, when India threatened Sri Lanka over weapons purchases from... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 18/07/09)
Minister Jason Kenney finally sees the light
July 17, 2009 The Editor (Letters) THE OTTAWA CITIZEN  Sir:  It does look like Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney has just woken up to the reality that our Refugee system has been abused by the Mexican and Czech refugee seekers.  The system was abused by scores of thousands of Tamils from Sri Lanka for almost two decades, and it was a million dollar business where a few Tamils became millionaires. They bilked our refugee and welfare system to the hilt and our politicians were aware of it.  What... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 18/07/09)
AMBASSADOR OUTLINES SRI LANKA'S PLAN FOR LASTING PEACE
Sri Lanka will ensure peace after 25 years of conflict by holding local elections that will give the Tamil population a voice in its future, Jaliya Wickramasuriya, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the U.S., told a group of young Asian leaders here this week. “We have to bring displaced Sri Lankans into the political process,†Ambassador Wickramasuriya said. “That’s something they have not experienced for a long time. We need to do this on the local level -- in town and provincial councils. And we need to do it nationally. “In other words, we... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 18/07/09)
SIX HOT WATER SPRINGS ARE DISCOVERED IN POLONNARUWA
Sri Lanka government reports said about ten natural hot water springs have been discovered in a scenic area close to the foothills of Dimbulagala hills in Plonnaruwa district.  Dr. S.D.Dharmagunawardena, a geologist who conducted experiments at the hot springs said, “the hottest spring in the area has water heated to about 61 degrees Celsius.†He said the heat is a remarkable one for a hot water spring.  The spring also close to Nelum Wewa irrigation tank, is surrounded by a scenic view in its back drop, making it a suitable place to develop as a tourist... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 18/07/09)
METRO TELLS ITS 1.36 MILLION READERS TO VISIT SRI LANKA AND HELP THE BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY TO RECOVER
UK’s national morning free sheet leader (circulation 1.36 million) in a boost to Sri Lankan tourism told its readers to visit the “beautiful†island nation “with amazing beaches†and opined “Tourists can help Sri Lanka recover.†The columnist writing under the name ‘Travel Doctor†said, “Sri Lanka is a beautiful country with a rich cultural heritage , amazing beaches, bustling cities and lovely people on both sides of the divide, many of whom rely on tourism for their income , meaning that tourists staying away in the long term could cause even more damage and tension.â€ÂÂÂ... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 18/07/09)
UN Secretary General to celebrates Mandela's 91st Birthday
The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki- Moon will attend an event marking the 91st birthday of former South African President Nelson Mandela on 18th July (today) at 3:00 pm in Grand Central Station. Among other things, he will sign a Volunteer Scroll to pledge 67 minutes of volunteer work to honor Nelson Mandela. United Nations Head Quarters in New York has issued a special message on be half of the the Secretary-General, calling Mandela a living embodiment of the highest values of the United Nations. The Secretary-General's message further says that to this day, Mandela... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 18/07/09)
Cabinet has approved a proposal of Reforms to Muslim matrimonial law and upgrading
The Cabinet has approved a proposal by the Minister of Justice and Law Milinda Moragoda to bring in certain reforms to the Muslim personal law and to uplift the system of Quazi courts and enhances the knowledge of Quazis. Quasis are appointed under section 12 (I) for the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Registration Ordinance No. 13 of 1951 – They are appointed by the Judicial Services Commission as they are deemed to be judicial officers and the functions they carry out are judicial function. After having extensive discussions with several eminent Muslims it was... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 18/07/09)
185th British soldier died in Afghanistan
Another British soldier has been killed in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence said Friday, following a surge in killings there which has piled pressure on the government over military resources. He is the 16th British Army soldier to be killed this month alone and also 185th death since the U.S.-led invasion in 2001. The soldier from the 2nd Battalion of the Rifles died in an explosion while on a foot patrol near Gereshk in the volatile southern Helmand province on Thursday afternoon. "It is with extreme sadness that I must report the death of a... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 18/07/09)
'Sri Lanka troops unearth over a tonne of bombs'
COLOMBO (AFP) – Sri Lankan troops have uncovered one of their biggest hauls of weapons and explosives since the defeat of Tamil Tiger rebels two months ago, military officials said on Friday. Troops found 332 roadside bombs in the northeastern district of Mullaittivu where Tamil Tiger supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran put up his last stand in May, a military official said. He said the bombs weighing up to 18 kilos (40 pounds) were found at the village of Vellamullivaikal, a coastal area where the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leadership was holed up in the final stages of the war.... -Full Story- (news.yahoo.com - 17/07/09)
LTTE reason for Lankan Tamils misery: Karuna
COLOMBO: The LTTE's nearly three-decade-long conflict against Sri Lankan government has inflicted "maximum damage" to the Tamils in the country, Karuna Amman, former top commander of slain rebel leader Velupillai Prabhkaran, has said. "The LTTE did maximum damage to the Tamil community. Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa rescued the Wanni Tamils from the clutches of the LTTE and they enjoy true freedom today," said Amman who is the Minister of National Integration.... -Full Story- (ExpressBuzz - 17/07/09)
Troops unearth bombs, weapons in Sri Lanka
Troops find 332 roadside bombs and a cache of weapons in the northeastern district of Mullaittivu Sri Lankan troops have uncovered one of their biggest hauls of weapons and explosives since the defeat of Tamil Tiger rebels two months ago, military officials said yesterday. Troops found 332 roadside bombs in the northeastern district of Mullaittivu where Tamil Tiger supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran put up his last stand in May, a military official said. He said the bombs weighing up to 18kg (40 pounds) were found at the village of Vellamullivaikal, a coastal area where the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)... -Full Story- (Gulf Times - 17/07/09)
“No move to send Sri Lankan refugees back forciblyâ€ÂÂÂ
Special Correspondent CHENNAI: There is no move to send Sri Lankan refugees to their homeland forcibly, but if they wanted to return home, the State government would not stand in their way, Finance Minister K. Anbazhagan said on Friday in the Assembly. Replying to the debate on demands for grants on the Public Department, Mr. Anbazhagan said neither the Centre nor the State government was for sending the refugees back to Sri Lanka. But if they wanted to rejoin their relatives in the island, the government would not prevent them from doing so.... -Full Story- (The Hindu - 17/07/09)
Rajapaksa’s assurance to Manmohan
B. Muralidhar Reddy COLOMBO: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa at a bilateral meeting shortly after the conclusion of the 15th Non-Aligned Summit at Sharm-El-Sheikh (Egypt) on Thursday that Mr. Rajapaksa had won the war against the LTTE and its terrorism, and can now win the peace. A statement issued by the Sri Lanka Presidential Secretariat here on Friday quoted Dr. Singh as telling Mr. Rajapaksa that the latter’s enormous talent should help solve the long drawn out issue permanently.... -Full Story- (The Hindu - 17/07/09)
Death rates among internally displaced persons in Sri Lanka
Source: Government of Sri Lanka Date: 17 Jul 2009 The attention of the Ministry of Healthcare & Nutrition has been drawn to reports circulating in the International media regarding the death rate among the internally displaced persons currently residing in welfare villages in the Vanni. The Ministry is reliably informed that certain persons and agencies have reported deaths as high as 1400 per week in the IDP villages, a figure which is totally inaccurate and arbitrary and is rejected outright by the Ministry of Healthcare & Nutrition. It is pertinent to note that a transparent and efficient mechanism by which... -Full Story- (Relief Web - 17/07/09)
Sri Lanka unveils corporate tourism packages
Staff Reporter Bangalore: Taking advantage of the return of peace, the Sri Lankan Government on Friday launched the “Meet Sri Lanka campaign†here, unveiling its corporate tourism packages with attractive pricing to business visitors from India. Launching the campaign, Sri Lanka Convention Bureau chairman Prema Cooray, who is leading a business delegation, said that the campaign was aimed to create awareness and interest on profile, proximity, and products of Sri Lanka in diversity of locations, among Indian corporates and travel agents. The offers called Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions (MICE) packages, valid from till September 30, offer three options of meeting... -Full Story- (The Hindu - 17/07/09)
Tamils look for leadership after Tigers
The military defeat of the Tamil Tigers in May has thrown the leadership of Tamil politics wide open. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) LTTE never took part in elections but at its peak it had a standing army, a navy, a rudimentary air force and was able to control 15,000 sq km of land. The LTTE proclaimed itself to be the sole representative of the Tamils and killed many leaders and intellectuals who differed from this view.... -Full Story- (BBC - 17/07/09)
Child soldiers in Sri Lanka - Retraining Tiger cubs
FAIRNESS cream; scented hair oil; talcum powder: these are things that female ex-combatants of the Tamil Tiger rebels, many forcibly recruited as children, hesitantly ask for when placed in rehabilitation. Thousands of exhausted rebels surrendered in the weeks before the government declared its victory over the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in May. The army says more than 9,000 are now in custody. Some face prosecution; more are being absorbed into the army; others will be sent into rehabilitation as soon as space becomes available in these overburdened camps. But to judge by the stories of the former child... -Full Story- (economist.com - 17/07/09)
13th Amendment: A Lost Cause
The 13th amendment has been in existence for over 20 years and it has brought no relief to Sri Lanka. Nobody has a word of praise for it except the few politicians who have obtained office under its dispensation and enjoy the perks associated with such office. None see it as a possible cure for the problems affecting the country. The deficiencies are overwhelming; the expenses are devastating; benefits are not forthcoming.  One thing is for sure, it yields power and position to elected politicians to the detriment of the electors. Besides exercising the franchise, the... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 16/07/09)
SCIENTISTS DISCOVER A BETTER SYSTEM OF DETECTING KILLER TSUNAMIS IN TIME BY STUDYING SRI LANKA BOXING DAY SATELLITE IMAGES
By extensively using satellite photos of the Boxing Day Tsunami of Sri Lanka scientists have discovered a better way of detecting killer tsunamis in time to evacuate people, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said. By studying satellite images of the Indian Ocean in December 2004 the scientists were able to understand how the killer waves raced towards Sri Lanka and other places indicating clear patterns in the water. The researchers said the satellite images showed how the leading edge of the tsunami travelled. Oleg Godin of the oceanic institution said, "We've found that roughness... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 16/07/09)
Sri Lanka’s Post Conflict Agenda to empower our people: Minister Bogollagama
 The Hon. Rohitha Bogollagama Minister of Foreign Affairs delivered a speech at the Prestigious China Institute of International Studies ( CIIS) in Beijing on 02nd July 2007on the topic "Post – Conflict Sri Lanka and the way forward" I am pleased to be at this prestigious Institute, the CIIS this afternoon to address this august gathering on the topic “ Post – Conflict Sri Lanka and the way forwardâ€ÂÂÂ.  To place matters in perspective, I will focus initially on the pre-conflict scenario and then place it in terms of the post agenda that we... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 16/07/09)
REMARKS BY ARMY GENERAL RAUL CASTRO RUZ, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CUBA, AT THE 15TH NAM SUMMIT, SHARM EL SHEIKH, EGYPT, JULY 15, 2009
Your Excellency Mr. Mohamed Hosni Mubarak, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt: Distinguished Heads of State or Government: Ladies and Gentlemen: On behalf of my delegation I wish to express our appreciation to the Egyptian government and people for their warm welcome. We are convinced that this 15th Summit Conference will strengthen the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries. Cuba shall offer its full support to Egypt as its new chair. It is an honor for our country to pass the chair of the Movement on to one of its founders. From its early days, the... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 16/07/09)
Morocco’s Local Elections and Decentralization
On June 12th, 2009, the same day that Iran had its contentious presidential elections, Moroccans also went out to polls to participate in local elections. In stark contrast, Morocco’s elections were viewed to be both free and fair, and boasted a 15 percent increase in turnout from the 2007 parliamentary elections. While much of the world’s focus has not been on Morocco’s new party and efforts for reform, the Authenticity and Modernity party (PAM) gained the most seats in local councils (3 percent more than the ruling Socialists). PAM’s ‘third way’ message of promoting tradition... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 16/07/09)
‘Delight’ for Cameron as two Lib-Dems defect to Tories
David Cameron today hailed the defection of a Liberal Democrat London mayoral hopeful to the Tories. Barrister Chamali Fernando, 30, from Finchley, ran to be the Lib-Dem candidate for Mayor of London but was defeated by Brian Paddick in 2007. Ms Fernando's brother Chandila is also leaving the Lib-Dems to join the Conservatives. The 32-year-old business developer failed in his bid last year to become president of the Lib-Dems. Mr Cameron said: “I am delighted to welcome Chamali and Chandila to the Conservative party. “It is very pleasing that two people who have played such an active role at the... -Full Story- (thisislondon.co.uk - 16/07/09)
Bahl film to firm up Buddhist bonds with South East Asia
NEW DELHI: Ancient Buddhist bonds which linked India to South East Asian countries form the subject of a new film and exhibition that will seek to strengthen ties with the ASEAN nations. “The entire purpose of the film and exhibition is to create more bonds that linked India with these countries in the past, but that aren’t there now. We have all been turning to the West instead of linking with each other,†historian Benoy K. Bahl told PTI in an interview. A ninth century stupa in Indonesia, the tallest in the world, finds a place in Mr. Bahl’s film... -Full Story- (The Hindu - 16/07/09)
Acid attack accused is refused bail
July 17, 2009 A MAN arrested two weeks ago over an acid attack during Sri Lankan factional clashes in May was linked to the assault because there was DNA evidence and his registration number had been taken at the scene, Parramatta Local Court was told yesterday. Andrew Macdonald, for the NSW Director of Public Prosecutions, said Amala Theepan Srikanthajah had been linked from evidence taken from broken glass outside a house in Alexandria Avenue, Westmead, where the attack occurred. Srikanthajah has been charged with two counts of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent to murder, two of maliciously throwing sodium... -Full Story- (smh.com.au - 16/07/09)
Well-deserved
National Post Published: Thursday, July 16, 2009 Congratulations to Stewart Bell for the well-deserved award from the South Asian Journalists Associations. I am glad to see his investigative series on Sri Lanka -- one of the most dangerous places for journalists to work in -- being recognized. At a time when most of the journalists have chosen to report from their armchair, or mirror Colombo's views as their own, his bravery and the Post's desire for balanced journalism is commendable... -Full Story- (nationalpost.com - 16/07/09)
Jacqueline Fernandez has great potential, they say
Even before her first film "Aladin" releases this Diwali, debutant actress Jacqueline Fernandez (pictured left) has caught the fancy of prominent directors like Siddharth Anand and Tarun Mansukhani, who are seriously considering signing the former Miss Sri Lanka for their future projects. "Yes, Jacqueline indeed has great potential, something that I could make out the moment I saw a couple of songs that she has done in the film. Though our talks are currently in a very preliminary stage, I would love to work with her," Siddharth Anand of "Salaam Namaste" fame told IANS.... -Full Story- (masala.com - 16/07/09)
Sri Lankan Police nab three LTTE propagandists
Colombo, July 16 (Xinhua) The Sri Lankan Police said Thursday that they captured three propagandists of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the Eastern Province. The LTTE supporters were nabbed at Serunuwara in the eastern port district of Trincomalee Thursday when they were distributing propaganda materials, the police said. The Sri Lankan Army has defeated the LTTE after a long battle with the rebels who staged more than two decades of struggle for a separate homeland for the minority Tamils in the north and east of the country, claiming discrimination at the hands of the Sinhalese dominated governments.... -Full Story- (story.irishsun.com - 16/07/09)
About 65,000 deserters trouble Lankan Army
T.V. Sriram Colombo July 16: The Sri Lankan Army is grappling with the problem of "deserters" with the number swelling to around 65,000, while 2,000 are in different prison. There are around 65,000 Army deserters at large while 2,000 are in prison, secretary to the ministry of justice and law reforms Suhada Gamlath said. Once an Army deserter is captured he is produced for a court martial and usually sentenced to an imprisonment not exceeding one year.... -Full Story- (asianage.com - 16/07/09)
Rajapaksa: committed to reconciliation
B. Muralidhar Reddy COLOMBO: Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has told U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon that his government remains committed to the resettling and rehabilitating the nearly three lakh war displaced in the north of the country in the shortest possible time. The issue of the war displaced, conditions in the relief centres and the need for reconciliation among all communities were discussed at the bilateral meeting between Mr. Rajapaksa and Mr. Ban on the sidelines of the 15th NAM Summit at Sharm-El-Sheikh in Egypt. Mr. Rajapaksa told Mr. Ban it had only been eight weeks since the liberation of... -Full Story- (The Hindu - 16/07/09)
Barack Obama punished for being too honest with Russia
Former Bush administration officials are strongly displeased about Obama’s conduct during his recent visit to Moscow. For example, ex- Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Liz Cheney criticized Obama’s speech, which he delivered to the New Economic School graduates. “There are two different versions of the story of the end of the Cold War: the Russian version, and the truth. President Barack Obama endorsed the Russian version in Moscow,†Liz Cheney told The Wall Street Journal. The official disliked Obama’s remarks that the Cold War reached a conclusion because of the actions taken by many nations over many years, including Russia... -Full Story- (english.pravda.ru - 16/07/09)
China becomes world’s wealthiest state
China’s gold and currency reserves have recently hit the mark of $2 trillion. The nation can now boast of having the largest state reserves in the world. The Chinese people save up to 75 percent of their country’s GDP in spite of the fact that China does not pay pensions and does not have free of charge education and healthcare systems. China’s gold and currency reserves gained 17.8 percent ($177.9 billion) during the second quarter of 2009. The nation’s reserves increased by $7.7 billion over the first quarter of the current year. Thus, the People’s Republic of China has saved... -Full Story- (english.pravda.ru - 16/07/09)
History repeats: Dayan Jayatilleka's attempted second escape!-Re-incarnation of Harold Laski
Re-incarnation of Harold Laski                   Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka (DJ), identified by Carlo Fonseka, the Colombo Marxist who once counted the number of kings in the Mahavamsa who killed a father or a sibling, as Sri Lanka’s Laski (The Island, 7/15/2009) has refused to answer a set of eleven questions I sent to him on behalf of my country of birth. With his “13-A now 13-A plus later†albatross on the neck (SJVChelvanayagam strategy, not Laski’s) DJ thinks he can escape from the trap he himself got in by blaming me as a racist-Nazi. I can accept... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 15/07/09)
PRESIDENT RAJAPAKSA SAYS THE WORLD SHOULD NOT ALLOW TERRORISM TO RAISE ITS HEAD ADDRESSING NAM SUMMIT IN EGYPT
President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing 117 nations participating in the Non Aligned Nations summit in Egypt said under no circumstances the world should allow terrorism to raise its head.  This is the largest international summit President Rajapaksa is participating after his troops ended a thirty yer long insurgency by one of the most ruthless terrorist groups in the world , the Tamil Tigers.  He further added addressing the summit held in Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt, today (July 15) at the Maritim Congress Center that the whole world should be united to work responsibly for peace. He said... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 15/07/09)
SWAT-A PARADISE TO BE REHABILITATED
“We are not the Afghan refugees. We were living a better life in Swat. We are eager to go back to our homes; we are the Swatis.†I remember the remarks of a young man Mukarram Khan who met me in a refugee camp for internally displaced persons of Swat near Islamabad. These remarks made me believe strongly that these people of Swat would one day succeed in getting their homes back from the cruel clutches of the terrorists; it all was about a month ago. Now it is the second half of July. The IDPs have... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 15/07/09)
Swat Operation: Lesson Learnt From Sri Lanka
18 May 2009, is an historic day for Sri Lanka as the security forces have finally defeated the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militarily including its top leadership. After 26 years of ethnic conflict, the Government has been able to achieve control of entire Island including its entire coast line. The LTTE also known as the Tamil Tigers, is a military and political organization that has waged a violent secessionist campaign against the Sri Lankan Government since the 1970s in order to secure independence for the Tamil region of Sri Lanka. The LTTE has been responsible... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 15/07/09)
The ‘fuse’ behind the human bomber - Part II of the expose’ on LTTE’s covert operation
LTTE intelligence agents never spill beans, but one agent of their operation in Colombo did so to The Bottom Line. Last week this column revealed how the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) created a human bomb, or a suicide cadre – the most potent weapon of mass destruction that a terrorist organisation ever introduced. The human bomb does not act alone. He or she is only the explosives in the bomb. There are other links which make up the chain and next above the link, and the most vital, is the person who controls the bomber – in basic... -Full Story- (thebottomline.lk - 15/07/09)
Rajapaksa rules out separate ethnic provinces
COLOMBO: Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has said “no†to ethnicity-based separate provinces, in an interview to the latest edition of the American magazine Time. Asked if he believed in some kind of self-governance for the Tamils, Rajapaksa said: “Don’t say Tamils. In this country you can’t give separate areas on an ethnic basis, you can’t have this.†But provinces could certainly have powers, to enable them to handle local matters, he conceded. When asked if there was some kind of an effort to change the demography of the Tamil-majority areas, the President said: “Noâ€ÂÂÂ. But he pointed out that... -Full Story- (ExpressBuzz - 15/07/09)
New army chief vows to re-focus military
Sri Lanka’s new army chief took up his post yesterday vowing to “re-motivate†his 200,000-strong force and build a peacetime military following the crushing of Tamil Tiger rebels. Lt General Jagath Jayasuriya, 50, said his first priority would be the military’s new role in supporting a massive reconstruction effort in areas once held by Tiger separatists. “We have to transform them from fighting to other things,†he said at the tightly guarded army headquarters here. “We have to re-motivate them.†“Running a peacetime army is quite different. Discipline has to be emphasised. I am very concerned about it,†he said.... -Full Story- (Gulf Times - 15/07/09)
Another diabolical lie blown sky-high
The Presidential Commission Inquiry into the killing of 17 aid workers of the Action Contre La Faim (ACF) in Muttur in August 2006 has exonerated the army and the navy from the responsibility for the crime. It has concluded that their massacre occurred on Aug. 04, 2006 and at that time the LTTE was present in the Muttur town and adjacent areas. Thus, another attempt by neo-colonial forces to force a war crime probe on Sri Lanka has been frustrated. But, the government made a mess of that presidential probe initially by permitting some meddlesome foreign diplomats and their cronies... -Full Story- (The Island - 15/07/09)
Colombo cancels arms import from China, Pakistan
COLOMBO: The newly-appointed Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Sarath Fonseka, said on Wednesday that the island nation had cancelled the import of ammunition valued at $200 million from China and Pakistan following the end Eelam War IV. He also announced that India was sending 500 personnel to clear mines in the north. General Fonseka, who in his earlier position as Army chief was one of the architects of the war against the Tigers, further said 800 cadres of the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulika (TMVP), a breakaway faction of the LTTE, had been formally absorbed into the army. Talking with reporters... -Full Story- (The Hindu - 15/07/09)
India to send 500 soldiers to Sri lanka
Sri Lanka’s first ever chief of defence staff Sarath Fonseka’s first day at work on Wednesday could leave China and Pakistan frowning for two reasons. India was getting ready to send 500 soldiers to Sri Lanka  its largest contingent since the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in 1987  to help de-mine north and north-east Lanka, Fonseka announced. “India was sending 500 de-miners to clear areas formally under the control of LTTE in the north,†Fonseka said in an informal talk after taking charge as chief of defence staff. He did not indicate when the Indian contingent would arrive.... -Full Story- (Hindustan Times - 15/07/09)
The Times mirrors the Tigers
The international community was horrified by news reports in the Times of London on July 9th 2009 that over 1400 people were dying each week in Welfare Centres in Sri Lanka. The Times continues to conceal its sources. This time the allegation is attributed to ‘Senior international aid figures’, though the figure was decried as ‘Ridiculous’ by the UN Resident Coordinator in Colombo.  An even more ‘senior international aid figure’ Sir John Holmes was even more contemptuous of sensationalistic journalism, when he pointed out that Sri Lanka had won... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 14/07/09)
Mercenaries of London -Killing with pens, key boards and cameras
An analysis of just one headline It is well known that space / time in media can be bought. Unfortunately it is always not only commercial advertisement opportunities that are sold. From an innocent looking headline to inches of news paper articles could come to being through journalists with vested interests. If you don’t believe, you can just ask the British publicist Max Clifford or similar companies in the industry. The danger behind this is most readers and viewers are inclined to accept what presented to them without questioning, establishing a lie or bent... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 14/07/09)
Message To All Harbingers Of Doom And Ill Wishers Of Sri Lanka~ BACK OFF!
July 14TH 2009 The charge has been delivered, the enemy vanquished, that is the enemy within but what about the enemy without? Why are they still lurking with their undercurrents of continued lies, innuendo and false information almost as if to pacify the mourners of the damnable LTTE which makes them not only damnable but reprehensible obstacles towards the return of normalcy to an Nation beseiged by decades of insurgent terrorism.  So is it not time appropriate for entities like the UK Times , the IMF, the UNHCR, Amnesty International and European Union etc etc. to back... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 14/07/09)
Postmortem of ICRC, INGO and NGO Operations in Sri Lanka
This week the government had ordered the ICRC, INGO's and NGO's to scale down their operations because now that the war had ended the government writ ran all over Sri Lanka. The government had reassessed their operations following cessation of hostilities.  The ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross) entered Sri Lanka at the height of the JVP insurrection in 1989 and attended to the welfare of the injured and the victims due to the uprising. The rebellion was crushed in 1990. By then as the fighting with the Tamil rebels had escalated they were invited to... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 14/07/09)
UK Times breaks all accepted decent norms of Journalism.
There is a Zen Story of two young priests returning to the Monastery. It was after rain and there were puddles of water on the road side. As they were walking they saw a beautiful young woman who was hesitating to cross the road because of a large puddle of water. The elder of the two Zen Priests saw the predicament of the young woman and immediately crossed the road, lifted the young woman and placed her on the other side of the puddle of water. Then he joined the younger priest and continued to walk towards... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 14/07/09)
Foreign assistance for IDPs:
Waiting for Godot
We are not short of people both here and abroad who weep buckets for the displaced Tamil civilians living in welfare centres.A section of the British media is functioning as an army of shock troops for the Brown government hell bent on initiating a war crime probe against Sri Lanka. The world is being told a diabolical lie of Goebbelsian proportions that about 1,400 IDPs die weekly in the Vanni welfare centres.... -Full Story- (The Island - 14/07/09)
UK Parliament paper reveals efforts at UN mandate for SL ‘war crimes’ probe
A United Kingdom Research Paper dated June 5,2009 revealed an account of developments conflict between the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE when a ceasefire was agreed and hopes raised and rapidly dashed since 2002 when there might have been a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The paper also provided a brief historical and social survey of Sri Lanka including the origins of the conflict between the Government and the LTTE. The paper also surveyed the stance taken by the international community on the conflict, the military capabilities of the Sri Lankan military and aid and development issues. It concluded... -Full Story- (The Island - 14/07/09)
No Sri Lankan troops near 2006 aid worker massacre
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – The Sri Lankan military was not operating in the area when 17 workers for a French aid agency were gunned down execution-style in 2006, the chairman of a government commission investigating the massacre said Tuesday. Nissanka Udalagama  head of the presidential commission of inquiry charged with probing rights abuses during Sri Lanka's decades-long civil war  told The Associated Press no government forces were present during the slaying of 17 Sri Lankans who worked for Action Against Hunger in August 2006. At the time of the killings, European monitors said they were "convinced" government troops... -Full Story- (news.yahoo.com - 14/07/09)
Security forces uncover more explosives and military hardware in clearing operations
Sri Lankan Army troops of the 57 Division uncovered 1kg of C-4 high explosives and 2x hand grenades during a clearing operation condcuted in general area at Iranamadu on Monday (July 13). Meanwhile, more recoveries were made by Task Force - 8 (TF-8), TF -2 and 59 Division troops during separate search and clearing operations conducted in general areas at East of Puthukkudiyirippu, Vellamullivaikkal, Chalai, West of Puthukkudiyirippu, Vellankulama and Mullaittivu List of explosives and military hardware uncovered by TF- 8 troops, including 10 AP mines at East of Puthukudiyirippu;... -Full Story- (defence.lk - 14/07/09)
Sri Lanka probe 'clears military'
Sri Lanka's top human rights panel has cleared the army of killing 17 people working for a French charity in 2006. The head of the inquiry commission said he had been unable to find out who was to blame "because he ran out of funds". The bodies of the Action Against Hunger workers were found in the north-eastern town of Muttur. Truce monitors blamed security forces, who denied the charge. Heavy fighting had been going on in the area between troops and Tamil rebels fighting for an independent state.... -Full Story- (BBC - 14/07/09)
Lanka Prez wanted a chat with LTTE chief
T.V. Sriram Colombo July 14: Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse has said that he had never seen the slain LTTE Supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran and would have preferred to chat with him. "I would have preferred to bring him here and have a chat with him. I have never seen this man, Mr Rajapakse said. In an interview to TIME magazine, when asked what he would have wanted to know from Prabhakaran if he had got the opportunity to talk to him, Rajapakse said "Why he did all these mad things. What else can I ask him?". On what went through... -Full Story- (asianage.com - 14/07/09)
Terror alert in Sri Lanka
B. Muralidhar ReddyCOLOMBO: The Sri Lankan police on Tuesday urged the public to be vigilant as certain persons “who support Tiger terrorism†could carry out destructive activities in the south, connoting provinces in the island nation outside the North and East. The Sri Lankan Inspector-General (IGP) called for maximum cooperation from the public for the security programme and said though there were different views among the public on road blocks and search operations, they were being carried out in the public interest.... -Full Story- (The Hindu - 14/07/09)
LTTE made us inflate deaths, say doctors
It was not what the doctor had ordered for the tattered remains of the LTTE or its wounded credibility. Last week, the government brought out the five doctors  after the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) detained and apparently fed them well in big, airy rooms for about eight weeks  to recant their version of events in the final days of the battle between the army and the Tigers. They said, the LTTE forced them to inflate civilian death figures. Not more than 650-odd civilians actually died between January and May, most died in crossfire, government troops did not shell... -Full Story- (Hindustan Times - 14/07/09)
US$ 7.4m Japanese grant to IDP welfare
Chamikara Weerasinghe The biggest donor country to Sri Lanka, Japan yesterday handed over 6,300 metric tonnes of rice and 130 mt of canned fish worth of US$ 7.4 million to Sri Lanka in a gesture of goodwill to assist internally displaced persons in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Kunio Takahashi officially handed over the goods to Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa MP on behalf of the Japanese Government. Nation Building and Estate Infrastructure Development Ministry Secretary W.K.K. Kumarasiri thanked Takahashi stating, "This donation by your government is very timely and will provide much needed food... -Full Story- (Daily News - 14/07/09)
US help for IDPs
The American Government will provide Rs. 200 million worth ambulances, medical equipment and other items to Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry under an agreement signed between the Ministry and the American Embassy yesterday, a Ministry spokesman said. He said Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry Acting Secretary Dr. Nihal Jayatilleke and American Acting Ambassador James R. Moore signed the agreement representing Sri Lanka and the US. After signing the agreement, Moore had stated the US Government will work together with the Sri Lankan Government to provide emergency humanitarian assistance to resettle the IDPs in their original homes and... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 14/07/09)
PRESIDENT RAJAPAKSA TOLD SOME UNNAMED POWERFUL NATIONS THAT “WE ARE NO COLONY OF ANYBODYâ€ÂÂÂ.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa told , in no uncertain terms, some unnamed powerful nations who are trying to interfere in Sri Lankan affairs that “we are no colony of anybody.†President Rajapaksa addressing the governing Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) delegates of the Moneragala District said, at the forthcoming Provincial Council Elections the voters should deliver the strong message to the powerful nations who were making undue pressures during the recent liberation from terrorism that we are no colony of anybody. The President’s statement is an obvious reference to some European nations who were attempting to interfere... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 13/07/09)
LONDON TIMES ARTICLE ON IDP DEATHS IS A GROSS EXAGGERATION AND WRITTEN AT THE BEHEST OF THE BRITISH FOREIGN OFFICE
Professor Rajiva Wijesinghe , Secretary General of government’s Seceratariat for Coordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP) said the recent London Times report that said 1400 IDP’s die at the Welfare camps is a gross exaggeration and a “fraudulent†act practiced at the behest of the British Foreign office. Professor Wijesinghe said, “The response of the UN Resident Coordinator to this claim was ‘Ridiculous’, and he could not even guess as to how the Times had arrived at this figure. It was possible he said that a zero had been added on, but even 140 was higher than... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 13/07/09)
The 13th Amendment is a bad idea -A response to Dayan Jayatilleka
There can be a military victory over a military challenge but there cannot be a purely military victory over a political challenge. An enemy army can and must be defeated, an armed opponent can be killed, but a political challenge requires a political response and an idea can be defeated only by another idea. – Dayan Jayatilleka This is old. I would say it is basic to political science. However, like all things that stand the test of time, it is profound. Dayan is absolutely right. He is erroneous however in the application of this principle... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 13/07/09)
The process of NGO governance needs to be implemented with great care
According to leading analysts of doctrinal developments in US foreign policy, the American international NGOs (INGOs) were one of the foremost elements of the "third wave of democratisation†putsch that began in 1974, as a means of achieving regime change in “target states†in alignment with the US foreign policy objectives. The "informal penetration" theory was based on INGOs, together with US foreign aid, increasing the porosity and penetrability of rival or “recalcitrant†states: the specific charter of INGOs is to penetrate vulnerable target states and societies through the propagation of US propaganda relating to issues such... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 13/07/09)
History is a cake you can’t have and eat at the same time
Dayan Jayatilleka has recommended to me a set of observations on ‘history’ penned by Nietzsche (see his piece ‘Devolution debate and historicism’ in The Island of July 11, 2009). What Nietzsche is recommending here is ‘moderation’ with respect to history and historical referent and this is a goes-without-saying that doesn’t really necessitate lengthy quotation from philosophical tracts. This is by the way Dayan’s response to my insistence on a historical audit to resolve once and for all the matter of hanging grievance and aspiration to history. Now, if ‘history’ is version, a reading, then we have... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 13/07/09)
Politics and history
"The tradition of all dead generations weighs like a nightmare on the brains of the living." - Marx, 1852 Malinda Seneviratne has history on his mind, perfectly illustrating Marx’s point in the 18th Brumaire that "The tradition of all dead generations weighs like a nightmare on the brains of the living." I on the other hand am animated by concern about "the present situation and our tasks", "the concrete analysis of the concrete situation" (Lenin), "turning one’s face violently to the present (Gramsci) and "the fierce urgency of now" (Martin Luther King, Barack... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 13/07/09)
Sri Lanka Central Bank Keeps Interest Rates Unchanged
July 13 (Bloomberg) -- Sri Lanka kept its benchmark interest rates unchanged, waiting to see if three reductions in borrowing costs this year are enough to stoke an economic revival after the end of almost three decades of civil war. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka held the reverse repurchase rate at 11 percent and maintained the repurchase rate at 8.5 percent, according to a statement on the Colombo-based bank’s Web site today. “The main reason for standing pat was that market interest rates have started showing a pronounced decline in response to all the easing undertaken by the Central... -Full Story- (bloomberg.com - 13/07/09)
Lanka's external debt stock down by $250m
Devan Daniel The Island Publication Date: 13-07-2009 Sri Lanka’s external debt stock declined by US$250 million from the end of last year to $12.06 billion as at end May 2009, the Mid Year Fiscal Position Report of the Treasury said. "Total debt service payments up to May 31, 2009 amounted to $223.4 million, about 24.8 per cent of total estimated debt service payment for 2009 which is $900 million. Of this, $145.7 million was for principle payments and $77.7 million for interest payments," the report said. The Treasury said the total undisbursed balance of foreign financing that have been committed... -Full Story- (asianewsnet.net - 13/07/09)
Sri Lankan man gives up life for squirrel
COLOMBO, July 13 (Xinhua) -- A 40-year-old Sri Lankan man who saved a squirrel from drowning lost his life on Saturday, an English newspaper reported on Monday. According to the Daily Mirror, Tilak Rajakaruna was climbing out after cleaning his 60-foot-deep (about 18.29 meters) garden well in a northern Colombo suburb called Kandana, when a squirrel fell into the well from an overhanging branch. Rajakaruna climbed back down to rescue it. He caught the squirrel and put it in the pockets of his shorts and started to climb up again. However, the squirrel came out and bit his hand, making... -Full Story- (Xinhua - 13/07/09)
Fear of influence
By James Lamont and Amy Kazmin Published: July 12 2009 23:06 | Last updated: July 12 2009 23:06 Hambantota, in southern Sri Lanka, was a sleepy seaside village devastated by the 2004 tsunami. Famous for salt flats and a searing climate, it’s most celebrated building was a British-built watchtower, now home to a fisheries museum. Gwadar, likewise, until seven years ago, was a fishing town in Baluchistan on Pakistan’s south-western shoreline. An enclave on the Arabian Sea given to Islamabad by the Aga Khan, it was not much thought of as a key staging point between central Asia and the... -Full Story- (ft.com - 13/07/09)
More LTTE military hardware found in continuous clearing operations
Troops of 7 Sri Lanka Signal Corps (7 SLSC) serving under 572 Brigade uncovered more LTTE military items from general area Puthukkudirippu, yesterday (July12) military report received said.More LTTE military hardware found in continuous clearing operations Troops of 7 Sri Lanka Signal Corps (7 SLSC) serving under 572 Brigade uncovered more LTTE military items from general area Puthukkudirippu, yesterday (July12) military report received said. Following items are among the recoveries. Items Description Quantity RPG Bombs 03 RPG Charger 01 Hand Grenades 01 Arul Bomb 01 T-56 Magazine Pouch 01 MPMG Tripod 01 Unidentified Weapon Barrel 01 60mm Motor Bombs 02... -Full Story- (defence.lk - 13/07/09)
The Man Who Tamed the Tamil Tigers
By Jyoti Thottam Sri Lanka's 26-year civil war between the government and the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) came to a dramatic end in May with a decisive military victory and the killing of Velupillai Prabhakaran, the Tigers' fearsome leader. President Mahinda Rajapaksa is the man who tamed the Tigers. Now his task is to heal a nation still divided by tensions between the majority Sinhalese and the minority Tamils. In a rare, wide-ranging interview, Rajapaksa, 63, talked with TIME's Jyoti Thottam at the President's official compound in Colombo on July 10.... -Full Story- (time.com - 13/07/09)
Sri Lanka turns to microfinance to rebuild war zone
COLOMBO, July 13 (Reuters) - Sri Lanka's government on Monday launched a $26 million microfinance loan programme to spur local agriculture and business in the former northern war zone, part of the president's plan to resettle 300,000 displaced people. Dubbed the "Awakening North", the Central Bank said the 3 billion rupee ($26.12 million) loan plan will support "the resumption of economic activities in agriculture, livestock, fisheries, micro and small enterprises."... -Full Story- (uk.reuters.com - 13/07/09)
BOOK REVIEW: Reversing U.S. policy in AfPak
DEFEATING POLITICAL ISLAM: THE NEW COLD WAR By Moorthy S. Muthuswamy Prometheus Books, $25.98, 287 pages As the U.S. military slogs on, confused, trying to win the "trust" of the Afghan people; as the Obama administration, illogically, attempts to explain its way through Pakistan's "uneven" record of fighting jihad to a new $7.5 billion aid package (on top of $12 billion spent by the Bush administration), it is great luck to come across a book like Moorthy S. Muthuswamy's "Defeating Political Islam: The New Cold War." It contains all the answers to the questions looming over our widening and deepening... -Full Story- (washingtontimes.com - 13/07/09)
No groups allowed to carry arms in Sri Lankan north election
COLOMBO, July 13 (Xinhua) -- No group would be allowed to carry arms in the run-up to the local council election next month in the Northern Province in Sri Lanka, the police said on Monday. The Jaffna Municipal Council and Vavuniya Urban Council are to go to polls on Aug. 8, the first elections since the government's elimination of the Tamil Tiger rebels in May. "No one would be permitted to carry arms. If anyone wants security we will provide them with security," the deputy inspector general in charge of the Northern Province, Nimal Leuke told reporters Monday. He said... -Full Story- (Xinhua - 13/07/09)
BBC - two faced?
Tudor WELIKALA The BBC advertises that it provides impartial news. But during the past so many years it has been obtruding in the affairs of Sri Lanka and speaking on behalf of the LTTE terrorists and condemning the legitimate Government of this country in its attempt to defeat them. The BBC announced that the seeming brat, the British Foreign Secretary has accused the Sri Lankan Government of war crimes. War in itself is a moral crime. Why doesn't he look back on, Winston Churchill, who intentionally kept pounding bombs on civilian targets in Germany, close to the end of WW2.... -Full Story- (Daily News - 13/07/09)
ARMY COMMANDER PROMOTED AS CHIEF OF DEFENSE STAFF
The Presidential Secretariat said, In recognition of the services rendered to the Motherland in eliminating terrorsim from the Sri Lankan soil by Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka and Navy Commander Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda in the war against terrorism, President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday promoted General Fonseka as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Admiral Karannagoda as the National Security Advisor with effect from July 15. On the same day, Major General Jagath Jayasuriya is to take over as the Army Commander and Rear Admiral Tisara Samarasinghe as the Navy Commander. Major General G. A. Chandrasiri, Chief of Staff of the... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 13/07/09)
British Foreign Office feeds Times false figures in campaign to recover from defeat inflicted at Human Rights Council in Geneva
The above headline is clearly an exaggeration, but it is based on the style of reporting adopted recently by the Times of London in its coverage of Sri Lanka. Following its extraordinary assertion, at the end of May, that over 20,000 had been killed in the conflict area, it seemed necessary to examine the motives behind such whopping untruths. The investigation revealed a culture of secretiveness and propagandist zeal that is not of course novel, given the role that some newspapers have played in the past in supporting... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 12/07/09)
The British Times tabloid’s Tamil death claim is a shameful lie.
In reply to the wild allegation and the conspiratorial lie the British tabloid has shamefully orchestrated through their daily news paper in London, IDPs Health Care Director Dr. Hemantha Herath categorically denied any outbreak of water-borne diseases or diarrhoea at Manik Farm IDPs Camp, and further assured yesterday that Currently, only six to eight deaths occur per week due to natural causes like old age, according to the report compiled by the national news paper The Nation. Dr. Herath also said that the death rate has gradually decreased while the majority of people who had died... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 12/07/09)
American foreign policy duplicity and deception reaches new lows in Honduras
America’s ruling elite, under the spell of the neocons and other special interest groups, have traditionally based their foreign policy on the triple strategies of interference in the domestic political affairs of other countries, implementing regime change through lackeys when necessary, and as in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan, bombing and invading when other plots do not work.  These strategies or their calamitous impact on the public perception of the US rarely receive significant public scrutiny due to the ignorance, and disinterest, of the great majority of the American population in international affairs; they believe that America is... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 12/07/09)
DING-DONG DENGUE BATTLE
“Dengue fever (and even chikungunya) is a disease which can be easily prevented to a great extent by homoeopathic prophylactic (preventive) treatment. Empiric treatment has proved the efficacy of homoeopathic prophylaxis. So, what is the Ministry of Indigenous Medicine and the Homeopathic Medial Council operating under this Ministry doing when they have the resources and the drugs to embark upon a prevention program and even to successfully treat affected patients so that mortality rates would drop down dramatically in tandem with nil or with short hospital admissionsâ€ÂÂÂ. - Dr... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 12/07/09)
The 13th amendment, deadly to Sri Lanka, leading to disaster
A Promise should be honoured, if the promise was made willingly and if all the relevant  information related to the promise was known, at the time the promise was made. With reference to the 13th amendment, it was forced upon us by India, who destabilised  us, by forming and arming LTTE. Any agreement that  has been made under duress has no legal validity. People can be made to promise various things under gun point, but these.  promises or agreements are not valid. and unenforceable. We have to bear in mind that foreigners would like a divided... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 12/07/09)
Hypocrisy of international media and ground realities
The final stages of the battle to eliminate the LTTE has once again become a hot topic in the media, especially in the international media this week after the five Tamil doctors, who are now under the detention of the Criminal Investigation Department, made fresh statements before the media about the civilian casualties denying their earlier accounts on civilian casualties saying that they had exaggerated the figures under LTTE pressure. The exposure of the five doctors to the media nearly two months after their arrest is being questioned by the media in same... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 12/07/09)
Turning Tamil swords into Oriya ploughshares
By P. Sainath Source: The Hindu P. Sainath's ZSpace Page Join ZSpace One is a member of the Malkangiri District Cricket Association and custodian of its cricket kit. Another, a minor contractor in a public works project. A third runs a tiny shop. They're all pretty rooted in Malkangiri. Not very different from any other small town group. Except that this one consists of a bunch of former Sri Lankan Tamil warriors settled in deep rural Orissa in one of the country's poorest districts where they've been nearly 20 years. Many speak fluent Oriya and Hindi and can converse or... -Full Story- (zcommunications.org - 12/07/09)
Sri Lanka fights malaria after civil war
COLOMBO, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Fearing a possibility of malaria spreading in Sri Lanka, the country's health officials are screening soldiers returning to their hometowns from the north and east after conclusion of civil war, a local English newspaper said on Sunday. The Sunday Times reported that 142 malaria cases were reported from January to June this year, with 120 of them being soldiers and 22 civilians. Last year, 670 Sri Lankans were infected with malaria, 520 of them soldiers and 150 civilians. A large number of soldiers who were battling Tamil Tiger rebels in the jungles of the northern... -Full Story- (Xinhua - 12/07/09)
UK plea to Lanka on Red Cross presence
COLOMBO: The United Kingdom has appealed to Sri Lanka not to cut down the presence of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) as that organisation’s continued presence was necessary to deal with problems relating to 280,000 Tamil refugees housed in government-run camps in north Sri Lanka. A statement posted on the website of the British foreign office on Saturday said that Minister Lord Malloch- Brown had urged the government of Sri Lanka to continue its dialogue with the ICRC in relation to the civilians in camps for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).... -Full Story- (ExpressBuzz - 12/07/09)
Sri Lanka Tamil ally demands freedom for civilians
The Tamil United Liberation Front said in a letter to President Mahinda Rajapakse that the ethnic Tamils who managed to escape the fighting between troops and Tamil rebels had no freedom of movement. "They are virtually kept under compulsion without any justification, giving them the feeling that they are kept in an open prison with too many restrictions and not in a welfare centre," TULF leader V. Anandasangari said.... -Full Story- (news.yahoo.com - 12/07/09)
General Sarath Fonseka - Chief of Defence Staff
National Security Advisor: Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda New Commanders Army: Major General Jagath Jayasuriya : Navy: Rear Admiral Tisara Samarasinghe: General Sarath Fonseka - Chief of Defence Staff National Security Advisor: Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda New Commanders Army: Major General Jagath Jayasuriya : Navy: Rear Admiral Tisara Samarasinghe:... -Full Story- (Daily News - 12/07/09)
CHASING TOURISTS AWAY - SO TRUE
I cannot help thinking that many Lankans have a perception that Investors and Tourists should come to Lanka no matter what because we are the most beautiful island in the world or we offer to them something no other country does. This "frog in the well" attitude coupled with mismanagement at the highest levels have brought us where we are today; still one of the poorest countries in the world without even a stretch of a 10 mile decent road to travel on or worst still without a decent public toilet to go to in the capital... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 11/07/09)
Shameless Doctors
All but one of the doctors who were in LTTE no fire zone till last minute seems to have a reasonable tale to tell, he too is of Indian origin. All others appear to be buying time to get out of the country to tell their soft story including discrimination and fear of persecution. One of them cannot even speak broken English, I thought Medical degree courses are conducted in English, similar to Engineering courses in Sri Lanka and India.  Lying is a shameless act . Even the worst human being who committed all sorts of... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 11/07/09)
TALKING SHOP -_ A mastered art
“Someone’s property becomes another one’s liberty†the practice is nothing unusual for most of our people’s dear servants commonly known as politicians. Wake of the new beginning in the country, it seems the light of good vision started shedding onto unexpected quarters, hence sparks delight in common people. “No one is permitted to use war hero sentiment for election gains in the future†it sounds somewhat alien to us but it was a stern decree which came from upper echelons to those exploiters, undoubtedly throwing them into a sudden political emptiness. Certainly this is a clear indication... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 11/07/09)
ECOSOC Ministerial Review concludes with adoption of the Declaration
The Ministerial Declaration titled “Implementing the internationally agreed goals and commitments in regard to global public health†was adopted at the end of the High-level Segment of the ECOSOC on 9th of July 2009. Sri Lanka was referred to twice in the preamble, with appreciative comments regarding its initiative to host a Regional Preparatory Ministerial Meeting and its Voluntary National Presentation. Earlier in the morning, Dr. H.A.P. Kahandaliyanage, Secretary to the Ministry of Healthcare and Nutrition, participated and spoke at the High-level segment general... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 11/07/09)
Fuel and fire: A Tamil homeland backed by 13-A
“A Sinhala police officer cried when Tamil IDPs died in the camp.†“Sinhala doctors cried when a Tamil IDP child died in the camp.†Words of TNA MP Padmini Sidambaranathan in Parliament on July 7, 2009, she herself crying twice  Which is the master?       “Which came first, the chicken or the egg?†In the case of Sri Lanka, we can ask, “Which came first, Tamil separatism or the Sinhala Official Language Act?†This is a timeless question. The followers of “one language two countries, two languages one country†(the author of this statement later abandoned it)... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 10/07/09)
AN AIRPORT ORDEAL - Promoting Tourism OR Chasing Tourists Away?-Chairman International Chamber of Commerce
"In any other country the person in charge will apologise for any delay and beg pardon from passengers. In Thailand they will first worship passengers. That is why they get 12 million visitors a year; we beg the world to get 300,000. These are the people who come to your country and spend foreign exchange and help the government and pay your salary. Is this the way you are disciplined and trained to address others? This is not checking but harassment!"- Tissa Jayaweera The Chairman of International Chamber of Commerce is not a simpleton... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 10/07/09)
Canada offers to partner Sri Lanka in Post Conflict Development will be met with warm welcome by the Sri Lankan Diaspora in Canada.
 During the final stages of the bloody military conflict between the LTTE cadres and the brave soldiers of the Sri Lankan army in the jungles of the Wanni, specially on May 16 blighted all hopes of any International intervention to rescue the LTTE hierarchy out of their hideout in the sliver strip of land between the sea and the Nanthi Kadal, a marshy lagoon area in the North. Still desperate calls from LTTE cadres were sending out SOS messages to their contacts, of... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 10/07/09)
MALWATTA MAHANAYAKA THERO TELLS IDPS IN THE NORTH THEY WILL BE RESETTLED IN THEIR ORIGINAL VILLAGES BUT SAMARAWEERA TELLS LONDON SINHALESE WILL BE SETTLED IN THE NORTH TIPPING OFF ETHNIC BALANCE
The most venerable Thibbotuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thero, Mahanayaka of the Malwatte Chapter of the Siamese sect visited the IDP Welfare Center in Settikulam in Northern Sri Lanka, Friday July 10 and assured the inmates that they will be resettled in their original villages as soon as possible.  The Mahanayaka of Malwatte, is the chief monk of the largest Buddhist denomination in Sri Lanka and his visit , a first for some one who has held this office, is considered to be a historical one.  He intimated to the Tamil civilians , who were displaced by... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 10/07/09)
INDIA SAYS SRI LANKA HAS NO PLANS TO PUT UP A MILITARY BASE AT KATCHATHEEVU ISLET
India has intimated that Sri Lanka does not have any plan to establish a military base in the island of katchatheevu .  When Communist Party of India MP D. Raja raised the question in the India’s Upper House of the Parliament, the Rajya Sabha, Minister of External Affairs S. M. Krishna said new Delhi had been so told by Colombo.  Krishna told Rajya Sabha that during the recent trip of Senior Advisor to the President Basil Rajapaksa, Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Secretary to the President , Lalith Weeratunga, the issue had been raised and the delegation... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 10/07/09)
UN and LTTE Child Soldiers
The UN in a statement this week has asked the government to ensure that children released by armed groups have access to care, protection and re-integration programmes. It had also stressed that the government should, "... ensure the identification, release and rehabilitation.... in accordance with international standards...'  In fact, these child combatants were never released by armed groups (LTTE). They were rescued by the government and the armed forces from the clutches of the LTTE. Some ran away from the LTTE and surrendered to the government forces while others got killed by the LTTE in the process.... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 10/07/09)
Peace strategy: New challenges and the way forward
For want of a nail, the shoe was lost. For want of the shoe, the horse was lost. For want of the horse, the rider was lost. For want of the rider, the battle was lost. For want of the battle, the kingdom was lost. And all for the want of a nail!!  In some respects, this old English nursery rhyme forces us to reflect on what led to the ethnic problem and the way forward beyond the recent military victory over ruthless LTTE terrorism. It also pinpoints the lost opportunities we had over the last... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 09/07/09)
I am bringing you good tidings
July 9, 2009 To - Hon. Bob Rae (Liberal MP for Toronto Center); Jim Karygiannis (Liberal MP for Scarborough-Agincourt); Derek Lee (Liberal MP for Scarborough-Rouge River); Maria Minna (Liberal MP for Beaches-East York); Judy Sgro (Liberal MP for York West); John McKay (Liberal MP for Scarborough-Guildwood); John Cannis (Liberal MP for Scarborough Centre); Albina Guarnieri (Liberal MP for Mississauga East-Cooksville); John McCallum (Liberal MP for Markham Unionville); Robert Oliphant (Liberal MP for Don Valley West); Dan McTeague (Liberal MP for Pickering-Scarborough East); Gurbax Malhi (Liberal MP for Bramalea-Gore-Malton); Irwin... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 09/07/09)
The Silly Season continues…..
Mr James Moore, US Chargé d’Affaires in Colombo has denied that the US ever threatened to block the IMF stand-by arrangement for Sri Lanka! There is no doubt in my mind that Mr James Moore checked this with Mrs Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State, before his meeting with Dr Palitha Kohona in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is quite possible that she could not recall anything to the effect. However, Mr Moore should have known that Mrs Clinton has serious problems with her ever fading memory. Even he does not seem to remember... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 09/07/09)
POLICE IN SEARCH OF SERIAL RAPIST WANT WITNESSES WHO STOPPED SIMILAR ATTEMPTS IN MARCH TO HELP IDENTIFY THE CULPRIT
Although those incidents of attacks on women cannot be officially linked to the Michelle Samaraweera murder , police have appealed to witnesses of two attempted assaults on women to come forward to give information to help identify the culprit, the metropolitan Police of London said. The incidents in South Grove and Markham Road in London were attempts of attacks on women in March 2009 but due to intervention of men the women escaped , but police think those who intervened could help identify the rapist. Police investigating the murder of Michelle Samaraweera and the two DNA-linked... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 09/07/09)
PRESIDENT TELLS SRI LANKAN PARENTS THAT PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES ARE EQUALLY IMPORTANT AS ACADEMIC STUDIES FOR CHILDREN
Ceremonially opening new sports facilities at Piliyandala Central College in the Western Province of Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa said driving children from morning till evening to only studies retards the healthy growth of them.  The President said, “In the morning the children are sent to school. When they come home after a hard day’s work , it has become the practice of some parents to force them to go to private tuition classes. They end up the day thoroughly exhausted.† The President said for the healthy growth of our children, sports is extremely essential.  He... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 09/07/09)
“Implementing the Internationally Agreed Goals and Commitments
Madam Chairperson, Sri Lanka is pleased to participate in the General Debate of the High-Level Segment of ECOSOC relating to the Annual Ministerial Review on “Implementing the Internationally Agreed Goals and Commitments in the Health Sector.†The Annual Ministerial Review process has given increased visibility to the targets that Member States have collectively undertaken relating to the IADGs, including the MDGs and has also provided momentum to their realization. Achieving these goals requires a global partnership, and ECOSOC has a... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 09/07/09)
UK should help Sri Lanka- Lord Naseby The Ultimate Truth as told by Tamil Doctors Sri Lanka orders cuts in aid work The walking Buddha at the centre of the universe TERRORIST GROUPS IN INDIA The 13th Amendment. Why are we wasting our precious time on a ‘stinky bone of contention’ sans any flesh, when we have far more important issues to handle? PRESIDENT RAJAPAKSA SAYS RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INDIA AND SRI LANKA IS SIMILAR TO THAT OF BETWEEN RELATIONS WHICH GOES BEYOND THAT OF A MERE FRIENDSHIP Sri Lanka should give the tourists, a purely Sri Lankan vacation, without making it a Western Style vacation in a Sri Lankan Setting. FIVE DOCTORS ON WHOSE STATEMENTS THE WESTERN PRESS BASED THEIR NEWS STORIES CONFESS THEY DID NOT TELL THE TRUTH Doctors admit to spreading wrong information on civilian casualties to the media at the behest of the Tigers. The trouble in China: the West intensifies the strategy of destabilisation Two Sri Lankan Tamils sentenced in England for rape Indian Muslims raise voices for Uighurs India’s Draconian Laws US never threatened to block IMF loan Makings of an LTTE suicide bomber - The inside story ‘Not a single Tamil house was attacked, not a single Tamil humiliated’ Declare war on corporate bandits ‘Prabhakaran will start the fifth war of independence’ Meet Condi: Rice finds namesake in Lebanon snake S Lanka medics recant on deaths Sri Lanka introduces dengue fever eradication measures Doctors say they provided false information during war Sri Lanka: Saudi aid for the displaced The silly season has started. Sri Lanka wants Canada to accept the IDP Tamils as refugees U.S. DIPLOMAT FOR ASIA SAYS HE IS PASSIONATE ABOUT SRI LANKA ECOSOC High Level Segment opens with emphasis on Health Corruption rampant in the education sector: Transparency International Sri Lanka reveals Sri Lanka Official: Free Cuban Five DURING THE RAM INTERVIEW IT IS REVEALED HOW SOLHEIM ONCE BRAGGED ABOUT THE MILITARY INGENUITY OF PRABHAKARAN AND HOW PRESIDENT RETORTED BACK RE: The 13 amendment 'The illegitimate child of Indian expansionism and Sri Lankan political naivety' PRESIDENT MAHINDA RAJAPAKSA TELLS THE HINDU EDITOR RAM THAT HE WANTS TO START A SECOND CHAMBER TO INVOLVE THE PROVINCES FOR NATIONAL LAW MAKING Constitutional anomalies Fraud, corruption cost SL Rs 1,000 bn in 20 yrs Sri Lanka captured Canadian, MP told China assures continued support to Sri Lanka Hunt for LTTE in Tamil Nadu Herath is Sri Lanka’s hero Pakistan’s batting collapses dramatically We deeply value India’s pledge of Rs. 500 crore, says Sri Lankan envoy Emergency extended in Sri Lanka Hunt for LTTEers in Moneragala Sri Lanka: Water for the displaced Hoping for more tourists Sri Lanka: ICRC helps Musali returnees resume livelihoods INDIA ALLOCATES US$ 100 MILLION FOR THE REHABILITATION OF THE SRI LANKAN IDP ECOSOC’S ARRIVAL IN GENEVA Kashmir Holds the Key Mr. Prime Minister! GOTABAYA RAJAPAKSA, A TRUE SRI LANKAN THE MEDIA CAN LISTEN TO. Sri Lankan village plugs into solar power Key role for security forces Leading light of leftist movement in Sri Lanka dead “We knew they would never lay down arms and start negotiating†Indian soldiers to help demine Sri Lankan areas Who killed Neda Agha-Soltan? Arab fury over push to ban mourning day I want to re-settle these people as soon as possible: Rajapaksa -‘We’re spending on electricity, on roads, on water. We can’t send them back to a place where there are just jungles.’ I have a political solution in mind but I want to get that from the people: President Rajapaksa India is world's 4th-largest foreign currency holder Budget
Rs 500 cr allocated for Lankan Tamil's rehabilitation Sri Lanka key issues solution after vote-president Image released of 'acid' attack suspect Israeli Boats Patrol The Indian Coast LTTE's international network cracks -KP - Shylock in 'Merchant of Venice' CEASE ALL ATTEMPTS TO IMPOSE EELAM THROUGH BACK DOOR The 13 amendment 'The illegitimate child of Indian expansionism and Sri Lankan political naivety' US Strategy on Sri Lankan Tourism Blind bandwagon of devolution and country’s national priorities First ever Ranaviru Day celebrations in the UK Army finalise re-deployment plan:
No arrangements to set up separate regiments based on ethnicity :
The tales of arms recoveries expose terror plans that never saw results Tying up post-war loose ends Lanka's triumphant position after LTTE end catastrophic Rumors on ties with Sri Lanka dismissed Lanka’s need for IMF bailout wanes: Central Bank chief SHOULD WE ACCEPT THE INDO-SRI LANKA ACCORD? IS THIS ACCORD LEGALLY BINDING AS A CONTRACT? Humanitarian operation a model for the world: Rajapaksa
13A Fails the Acid Test! Whatever our opinion on the 13 Amendment, let us place our confidence on the President to do what is best for Sri Lanka and its People. Angry MR refuses to bow down to pressure and 13th Amendment and a way forward THE E-FIT IMAGE OF MICHELLE SAMARAWERA'S KILLER IS RELEASED: POLICE ASK FOR HELP FROM PUBLIC AS HE MIGHT STRIKE AT ANY MOMENT ONCE AGAIN ON ANY HELPLESS WOMAN Reply to DAYAN JAYATILLAKE -Tamil and Sinhala are not just two words, they are two different civilisations grown up in two different places. There is no such thing as a homeland! Return of the Colombians THE LOGIC OF PRASANNA RANATHUNGE AND THE ISLAND NEWSPAPER DAYAN JAYATILLAKE ARGUES THE CASE FOR SEPARATISM 13th AMENDMENT – A DEADLIEST SOLUTION FOR SRI LANKA 13th amendment, is it enough for Tamils to drop Eelam? NATIONAL SECURITY, THE NATIONAL INTEREST & THE 13TH AMENDMENT Dr D.S. Bandarage - Father of Modern Management in Sri Lanka passed away BECOMING A GREAT KING? ……...a note of optimism Rejoinder to Island Editorial - Hurrah Boys Staking Claim for War Victory ‘The One-eyed Turtle and the Floating Sandalwood Log’ Address by Honorable Navin Dissanayke at the BizPact "Invest in Sri Lanka" International Symposium on Thursday, June 25th 2009 at 1:45 p.m. Understanding the Tamil Mindset ONE PRO-LTTE SUPPORTER ARRESTED AND THE POLICE ARE AFTER THE OTHERS WHO THREW ACID AT SINHALESE STUDENTS IN THEIR HOME IN AUSTRALIA The Recovery of the Ailing Global Economy: The Predicament of Sri Lanka You and Sri Lanka - Ms. Navanetham Pillay, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights , The tight rope walk that is the 13th Amendment
Lord Naseby in a letter, congratulated President Mahinda Rajapaksa for defeating LTTE terrorism that had held Sri Lanka to ransom for 26 years. Writing to the president shortly after the historic victory of the Sri Lankan armed forces against terrorism, the leading conservative member of the British House of Lords and former Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons has also stated that the UK should provide meaningful help to Sri Lanka for resettlement of the displaced. Lord Naseby is at present the chairmen of the all-party British- Sri Lanka group. (LankaWeb - 09/07/09)
The auditorium of the Media Centre for National Security was teeming with media personnel as more than 70 odd members of the fourth estate, the highest number of them ever to attend a press briefing in recent times, gathered there at the auditorium on Wednesday afternoon. All media personnel had arrived well before the scheduled time, 3 p.m. despite the short notice issued to them in the morning to see the five Tamil doctors namely Dr. Sathyamoorthy, Dr. Ilancheliyan, Dr. Sivapalan, Dr. Shanmugaraja and Dr. Vartharaja. It was an important event, especially for... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 09/07/09)
The Sri Lankan government has told international relief agencies to cut back their activities in the country. The government said the decision was taken because there was no more fighting, following the defeat of the Tamil Tigers rebels in May. The International Red Cross (ICRC) says it is closing four offices in Sri Lanka's Eastern Province. But it says an estimated 300,000 displaced people still need food, medicine and help to return home. An ICRC spokeswoman in Colombo said the latest government decision did not affect its work at the Menik Farm camp complex in the north of the country,... -Full Story- (BBC - 09/07/09)
Phra Sri Sakayathospholyan, a walking Buddha, presides over the vast religious site of Buddhamonthon, known as the "Land of the Buddha". Buddhamonthon is a precinct attached to Nakhon Pathom (nakhon means city; pathom means first), a neighbouring province to Bangkok. And what could be a better site to build the Land of the Buddha than in the first city of Suvarnabhumi (the Golden Land), which embraced Buddhism from Sri Lanka more than a thousand years ago.The Buddhamonthon site was built in 1957 to commemorate the 2,500th year of the existence of the Buddha. It was the mid-point of the Buddhist... -Full Story- (nationmultimedia.com - 09/07/09)
Beauty needs admiration; skills need recognition; talent needs appreciation. All these desires reach the climax if the desirer is sagacious educated and sensible. But there is always a very obvious difference between recognition and separatism. For the last few months the people of the southern Punjab in Pakistan have been raising their voices for the division of Punjab on administrative grounds. They claim that they have to face a lot of difficulties while seeking for the solution of their problems. People from the far-flung areas like Rajanpur and Bahawalpur have to travel a long distance to reach... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 08/07/09)
 Devolution of power under the 13th Amendment appears to be the most discussed and most controversial subject today in our political circles. It is a tragedy most people who advocate the 13th Amendment as the   magic nostrum for the so-called Tamil problem in Sri Lanka (used for their own personal gain or to fulfill their hidden agendas and perhaps to display their assumed ‘intellectual’ superiority over others), sadly appear to have not properly understood the well hatched monstrous Indian conspiracy behind it or its disastrous future implications that will fully... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 08/07/09)
Revealing an important part of his government’s foreign policy President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that Sri Lanka’s relationship with India goes beyond that of one between friends to one between relations and due to that special kinship he will also not get angry with others. In the concluding part of the interview by N. Ram , editor in chief of the Hindu, President Rajapaksa said, “I always treat India as a friend. A little more than that: a relation, I would say. Because of that, I will not get angry with others also.†Describing the country’s relations... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 08/07/09)
Sri Lanka is proposing to launch into tourism in a big way. The government perhaps considers that tourism is the ultimate in earning the much needed foreign currency. It may perhaps be so. But tourism has its advantages and disadvantages . The developing countries exploiting tourism as a money earner should do so with the greater interest of the country and its people. Greed whether it is that of an individual or a country could lead to disastrous results. Therefore, the greed to make tourism a money earner may not be in the best interest of a... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 08/07/09)
The five Tamil doctors on whose statement the Western press based their stories on alleged war crimes by Sri Lanka , said their statements were actually made under pressure by the then heavily armed Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) terrorist outfit and were false. The doctors who worked in LTTE occupied areas claimed that they gave false statements telling figures on civilian casualties and food and medicine shortages which were highly inflated and they were forced to release those figures by the insurgent LTTE. The doctors escaped to the Sri Lanka government controlled areas few... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 08/07/09)
Five doctors who were serving in the No Fire Zone during the last few days of the final battle in Mullaivaikkal, yesterday admitted that the figures they were dispatching to certain media about civilian casualties were false and exaggerated, due to pressure exerted by the LTTE and regretted their errors.  Dr. Sivapalan attached to the Ponnambalam Memorial hospital, Dr. Shanmugaraja, Medical Superintendent, District General Hospital Mullaitivu, Dr. Thurairaja Vartharajah, Regional Director of Health Services, Mullaitivu, Dr. Thangamuttu Satyamoorthy, Acting Medical Sperintendent, General Hospital, Kilinochchi and Dr. Kathirveli Ilancheliyan, Medical Officer of Health Mullaitivu at the press conference.... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 08/07/09)
Less than a month after the spectacular failure of the US and UK orchestrated attempt to destabilise Iran and implement regime change, the gullible public in the West are being bombarded at this moment with similar news of ‘protests’ in Western China. The propaganda being dished out by the Western media arm of the conspiracy has a familiar ring to it: casualty numbers are precise as if they were predetermined; the police is committing unspeakable brutality towards ‘peaceful’ protesters; and there are inspiring stories of ‘courageous’ resistance against the State law enforcement authorities, with iconic film footage... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 08/07/09)
Two Sri Lankan Tamil asylum seekers used to live in South England have been sentenced to eight and a half years in jail over the rape of a 21 year old British girl. Judge Graham White also recommended that both men, who come from Sri Lanka as refugees, should be deported when they are released from prison. But the final decision on whether they should be returned to Sri Lanka will be made by the Home Office. As a result of their convictions, Tharumaseelam Thangavel (27) and Arunan Thanabalasingam (30 ) will remain on... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 08/07/09)
The apex body of Indian Muslims has come forward to condemn the brutality shown by the Chinese authority in the autonomous Xinjiang region in the last few days. "The All India Muslim Majlis-e Mushawarat, the umbrella body of Indian Muslim organizations, condemned the reign of terror unleashed by the Chinese security forces and the Chinese Han settlers in Xinjiang on the Uighur Muslims," a statement issued on July 7 from New Delhi said. Mentionable that Xinjiang or the Eastern Turkestan, bordering Pakistan and Afghanistan is a traditional Muslim homeland. The Chinese authority has allegedly been trying to... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 08/07/09)
 On May 29, a housewife Neelofar (22) and her sister-in-law 17-year-old Asiya went missing in occupied Kashmir. Their dead bodies were later recovered from Rambiyar stream. The local residents were convinced that they were assaulted and killed by Indian-army personnel. However, the local police shrugged off the matter as a routine death by drowning. Following villagers’ sustained protests, the `state’ government was forced to initiate an inquiry into the incident. The commission, led by Justice Muzaffar Jan, was asked to `find out the causes and circumstances leading to the death of the two women, fix accountability and... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 08/07/09)
Charge d' affaires of the U. S. Embassy James Moore called at his request on Dr. Palitha Kohona, Secretary, Foreign Affairs today and wished to clarify the U.S. position regarding the IMF loan facility to Sri Lanka. A press release issued by the Foreign Affairs Ministry said: "Moore stated that the U. S. Government has on no occasion, either publicly or privately, threatened to block the IMF loan to Sri Lanka on political grounds. He explained that the decision will be taken by the Executive Board of the IMF, of which U. S. is a... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 08/07/09)
I was seated face to face with a Human Suicide Bomber once the dreaded weapon of destruction so often utilised by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to create mayhem in public life, in its failed dream of a Tamil homeland of Eelam. He is a self-confessed LTTE Black Tiger suicide bomber. But I am somewhat comfortable in the knowledge that he will not blow himself up now, as he is not wearing a suicide kit. The location is a high security law enforcement premise, officers of which are engaged in tracking down the remnants of the terrorist outfit.... -Full Story- (thebottomline.lk - 08/07/09)
always respect the family culture of the Tamils. That is very important but it has been ruined by the LTTE: Mahinda Rajapaksa. In this concluding part of an extended interview to The Hindu at Temple Trees in Colombo on June 30, President Mahinda Rajapaksa answers N. Ram’s questions on concerns over what is perceived as triumphalism, the power of Sri Lanka’s executive presidency, assaults and pressures on the news media, personal friendships, and relations with India. The first and second parts of the interview were published on July 6 and 7.... -Full Story- (The Hindu - 08/07/09)
The private sector has become a fetish of sorts in this country. Claiming the moral high ground, these worthies have also offered to coach politicians in good governance. General Secretary of the Democratic Left Front and presidential advisor Vasudeva Nanayakkara has lashed out at the local robber barons for their plunder of public assets while donning the mask of corporate social responsibility.... -Full Story- (The Island - 08/07/09)
;Radhika Giri Chennai, 8 JULY: A few days after Tamil Nadu chief minister, Mr M Karunanidhi told the state Assembly of a story of a “hero's escape on a horseback with none in the know of his whereabouts†inferred here to mean LTTE leader V Prabhakaran, a close associate of the elusive LTTE leader who has known him for decades, Mr P Nedumaran, today said that Prabhakaran was alive. “The government of Sri Lanka announced that Mr Prabhakaran was killed. They also said that they had completed a DNA test on the body and then burned it in a hurry.... -Full Story- (thestatesman.net - 08/07/09)
BEIRUT: Snakes and the number 13 are not usually considered good luck charms, but Condi and her 12 serpent siblings have brought happiness to a couple in Lebanon. Lebanese Pierre Rizk and his Sri Lankan wife Sapna have no children but are living happily with their 13 snakes in a two-room apartment east of Beirut. The Rizks form a multicultural family – their pets hail from India, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Arizona – and have named one of their snakes ‘Condoleezza’ in a tribute to former US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice. “I really admire her for her leadership,†Pierre... -Full Story- (dailystar.com.lb - 08/07/09)
By Charles Haviland BBC News, Colombo Five doctors who worked in Sri Lanka's combat zone in the last weeks of the war say they exaggerated figures for civilian casualties. They did so, they told reporters, because of pressure on them from the Tamil Tiger rebels, who controlled the area where they were working. Sri Lanka's government declared victory in its war with Tamil Tigers in May. The five have been in detention since then, but say they have been under no pressure to recant. The appearance before reporters was an extraordinary event, which took place at the Sri... -Full Story- (BBC - 08/07/09)
Wednesday, 8 July 2009: Sri Lanka Rebecca Burns The Sri Lankan government has introduced new measures aimed at fighting a recent rise in cases of dengue fever. People who don't clean up their own water puddles around their homes could be thrown in jail, as the flu-like illness is spread by Aedes mosquitos, which breed in stagnant water. Most breeding occurs in very shallow water, such as the amounts found in plant pots. Sri Lankan authorities are also reported to be importing bacteria from Cuba to kill the mosquitoes' larvae. More than 160 people have already died from dengue fever... -Full Story- (etravel.org - 08/07/09)
Five doctors who worked in Tamil rebel-held areas claimed yesterday that they gave false information about casualties and food and medicine shortages due to pressure from the rebels. The doctors, who escaped into government-controlled areas a few days before the rebels were defeated by government forces in May, said they were forced to give inflated civilian casualty figures to the media by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). It was not clear whether the doctors were speaking to reporters on the instructions of the government.... -Full Story- (gulf-times.com - 08/07/09)
Source: Government of Sri Lanka Date: 08 Jul 2009 King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, has ordered food aid and other forms of assistance be sent to Sri Lanka to help the government face the current humanitarian difficulties in the country as a result of the displacement of tens of thousands of people from their homes. A statement from the Ministry of Finance onTuesday said that two Saudi Arabian Airlines aircraft transporting aid would leave for Sri Lanka this week... -Full Story- (reliefweb.int - 08/07/09)
It has gone quiet here in London for quite some time now. With the LTTE agitators and their sympathisers abandoning the Parliamentary Square after a 73-day vigil, Mr Miliband and his band in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have been able to enjoy some peace and quiet without Keith Vaz and his comrades breathing down their necks. Of course, the ayatollahs in Teheran kept Mr Miliband busy for a while, giving him an excellent opportunity to practise his particular brand of diplomacy laced with empty rhetoric couched in condemnatory and threatening language.  The â€ÂÂÂinterestâ€ÂÂÂ... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 08/07/09)
July 7 2009 The Editor (Letters) THE OTTAWA CITIZEN Sir: Here’s a good tiding for the Tamils who demonstrated in the thousands in Ottawa  and Toronto last April and May and blocked the Gardiner Expressway in Toronto wanting the Canadian Government to intervene to bring their relatives who were liberated from the Tamil Tiger Human Shield  by the Sri Lanka Armed Forces and now in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camps in the North of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka’s President Mahinda Rajapaksa on July 1, told his Cabinet that he... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 08/07/09)
Ambassador Robert Blake Proposes Three-Steps For Reconciliation  WASHINGTON -- Robert Blake, recently confirmed as the new assistant secretary of state for south and central Asian affairs, told a gathering of a Sri Lankan group here that the country must quickly carry out a three-step plan for reconciling with its displaced Tamil population. "Every American who has worked or served in Sri Lanka is touched by that country,†Blake told the Serendipity Group, a gathering of foreign services officers and others with an interest in Sri Lanka. Blake served as U.S. ambassador to Sri... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 08/07/09)
ECOSOC Proceedings- 6th July 2009  On the first day of the ECOSOC and more specifically, the High-level segment, opening and keynote addresses were made, followed by policy messages from the Annual Ministerial Review preparatory meetings which included the South Asia Regional Meeting hosted by the government of Sri Lanka. Sylvie Lucas, President of the Economic and Social Council; Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General to the United Nations; and Swiss President Hans-Rudolf Merz gave charismatic opening addresses, stressing the importance of striving to achieve health-related Millennium... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 08/07/09)
“How do principals in popular schools maintain private vehicles and live in luxury houses? We all get the same salary,†a principal from a school in a difficult area asks. “Although I gave Rs 80,000 to a go-between to get my daughter admitted to a well-known popular school in the area, it didn't work out. Now the go-between is repaying the money to me in small installments,†laments a parent in the central hills. “Students are given study leave for three months before they sit the A level examinations. What do the teachers... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 08/07/09)
Deputy and minister Tissa Vitharana, president of the Committee of Representatives of All the Sri Lanka Parties, demanded immediate liberation of the five Cuban anti terrorists jailed for almost 11 years in the United States. We are profoundly upset over the US Supreme Court rejection of the appeal of The Five, expressed Vitharana, Science and Technology minister in a communique. The report informs "the false case against five innocent Cuban patriots who were gathering information on terrorist actions against Cuba has been condemned by the entire world." Vitharana pointed out that it is the only trial... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 08/07/09)
During the interview by the Editor in Chief of the Hindu, N. Ram with President Mahinda Rajapaksa it was revealed how Eric Solhiem once bragged about the military ingenuity of Prabhakaran with the President, and how the President retorted back by telling Solheim while the LTTE leader was from the jungles of the North he was from the jungles of the South. The Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga who was with the President during the interview told Ram, “Mr. Solheim came to see H.E. after he became President, and said, in the midst of other... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 08/07/09)
I thank Dr Gunasekara for his sublime effort in defending our national sovereignty. An enlightening article on grave dangers to our Nation and Country if the 13th amendment comes into effect.Here are a few useful comments further supporting the facts revealed in the article.  “This was the backdrop under which JRJ used his dictatorial executive powers to get the 13th amendment through. This scenario makes it more than clear that he singed these agreements under pressure from India for his own political survival. It is also not surprising that he did so, when we recollect that it... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 08/07/09)
President Mahinda Rajapaksa told N. Ram , the Edior in Chief of the Hindu that he is having an idea of establishing a second chamber to involve the provinces in the national law making of the country. He told Ram, “I want to get representatives from the Provinces involved in national policy-making. And if there is anything against a Provincial Council, they can protect their powers constitutionally. I have an arrangement in mind  this is what we call ‘home-grown solutions’  but the idea needs to be discussed and the details settled. I don’t want... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 08/07/09)
By Fatehyab Ali Khan Today Pakistan stands on the brink of constitutional anarchy. Some forces want a new constitution; others champion the restoration of the constitutional order existing before Oct 12, 1999 or a confederal constitution. Our constitutional chaos is the result of the unscrupulous constitutional manipulations of Gen Ziaul Haq. From August 1947 to 1970, no general elections at the federal level were held in Pakistan. When Yahya Khan grabbed power from Ayub Khan, he promulgated the first Legal Framework Order (LFO), abolished One Unit in West Pakistan, restored the provinces of Punjab, Sindh and the NWFP and gave... -Full Story- (dawn.com - 08/07/09)
... -Full Story- (The Island - 07/07/09)
Civil War; 'Combatant' detained while fighting for Tigers Stewart Bell, National Post Published: Tuesday, July 07, 2009 More On This Story Ottawa rips Sri Lanka for deporting ‘security threat’ Bob Rae Four guilty of Tamil Tiger terror charges Canadian anger over protest at Colombo mission Over 20,000 killed in final Sri Lankan onslaught: Report Related Topics Bob Rae Deepak Obhrai Asia-Pacific Politics Politics Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam Story Tools -+ Change font size Comment on this story Print this story E-Mail this story Share This Story Facebook Digg Stumble Upon More Story tools presented by A Canadian "combatant" captured... -Full Story- (nationalpost.com - 07/07/09)
Source: Government of Sri Lanka Date: 07 Jul 2009 The government of China reiterated its continued support to resettle and rehabilitate the internally displaces persons (IDPs) now staying in relief centres in Sri Lanka. This was conveyed by Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi of China when he met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka Rohitha Bogollagama. He also said about the government of China's support towards maintaining Sri Lanka's independence, territorial integrity & sovereignty. China strictly adheres to the cardinal principle of non interference in internal affairs of sovereign states and stemming from this principle China has supported... -Full Story- (reliefweb.int - 07/07/09)
RAMESWARAM: A massive combing operation was today launched by Tamil Nadu police aided by intelligence and Coast Guard personnel in nearby islands and all the coastal districts of the state to verify whether any LTTE militant had infiltrated into the areas in the aftermath of the outfit's defeat in Sri Lanka. The operations, ordered by the Union Home Ministry, were being carried out jointly by the state police, including the Coastal Security Group and "Q" Branch, various intelligence wing personnel and Coast Guard, official sources said. Police used metal detectors and sniffer dogs to thoroughly check the casurina jungle in... -Full Story- (ExpressBuzz - 07/07/09)
GALLE: Sri Lanka’s bowlers engineered a dramatic Pakistan batting collapse to clinch a 50-run victory on the fourth day of the opening Test on Tuesday. Pakistan resumed the day at 71 for two, needing just 97 runs with eight wickets remaining to win the opener of the three-match series, but wickets tumbled in the morning session and the tourist was bowled out for 117 in less than 45 overs. Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath, who was rushed into the contest from English league cricket after an injury to Muttiah Muralitharan, started the collapse with the wickets of Mohammad Yousuf (12) and... -Full Story- (The Hindu - 07/07/09)
Special Correspondent CHENNAI: Sri Lanka deeply values the Rs. 500 crore pledged by India and the Rs. 25 crore granted by Tamil Nadu for the rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) in government transit facilities, C. Romesh Jayasinghe, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to India, said here on Tuesday. Speaking at a seminar on “Post Conflict Sri Lanka and India’s Role,†organised by the Observer Research Foundation, Mr. Jayasinghe said his country would also draw on the U.N. agencies, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and reputed international non-governmental organisations (INGO) for assistance in coping with those displaced and... -Full Story- (The Hindu - 07/07/09)
Sri Lanka’s parliament yesterday extended a state of emergency by another month, claiming it was still needed to maintain law and order. The extension was supported by 103 members while the main opposition boycotted the voting in the 225 seat parliament, and 11 members of the minority Tamil National Alliance voted against. The main opposition parties accused the government of misusing the state of emergency to suppress political opponents, the media and rights activists. The military is still searching for weapons and ammunition left behind by the defeated Tamil rebels, and needs the protection of the emergency, Prime Minister Ratnasiri... -Full Story- (gulf-times.com - 07/07/09)
Hiran H.Senewiratne Security has been intensified in the Moneragala district to capture two hardcore LTTE terrorists, Ram and Nagulan along with several other cadres who are believed to be roaming in Moneragala SSP Moneragala Division Amarasiri Senaratne said. He said currently there is no LTTE threat in the Moneragala district. Several incidents in the district, happened on April 12 and 13 creating the fear psychosis in the area. "We have blocked all supply routes in the entire Moneragala area that supply food and other requirements to the LTTE group," he said. SSP Senaratne said they are now covering 40 villages... -Full Story- (dailynews.lk - 07/07/09)
Source: The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) Date: 07 Jul 2009 Over the past several months nearly 300,000 people have been displaced from their homes in the north of Sri Lanka, creating an urgent need for emergency relief for those in Menik Farm, a camp for the displaced in Vavuniya District. UMCOR, along with partner Muslim Aid, is working to provide clean water for about 4,000 displaced people at Menik Farm. UMCOR recently purchased a tractor and water bowser to help alleviate the growing water and sanitation problems in the camp. The water will be transported daily to a... -Full Story- (reliefweb.int - 07/07/09)
In its latest update in July, Lonely Planet suggests that with the promise of “(hopefully) a more settled society’’, Sri Lanka was back on the tourist map. The expectation in the tourism sector is that the end of the military campaign against the LTTE in May could encourage more tourists especially from European countries and India to visit Sri Lanka. But mere hopes and expectations add up to nothing. For one, Sri Lanka’s re-launch of the tourism campaign had a false start. The Lankan government in all enthusiasm called the new campaign, “Sri Lanka  Small Miracle.â€ÂÂÂ... -Full Story- (Hindustan Times - 07/07/09)
Source: International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Date: 03 Jul 2009 Colombo: The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the local authorities in Mannar on 2 July 2009 to facilitate the resettlement of displaced persons in Musali through agricultural and capacity building initiatives. The project, targeting more than 3000 returnees in 13 villages in the Mannar district, is aimed at reactivating agricultural activities to enhance food security through the cultivation of paddy and highland crops and home gardening. The ICRC will provide beneficiaries with paddy seeds to cultivate around 500 acres of... -Full Story- (reliefweb.int - 07/07/09)
Presenting his budget for 2009-10 India’s Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee announced that the government has set aside Indian money worth US $100 million for the internally Displaced People in Northern and Eastern Sri Lanka.  He said the amount, Indian Rupees 5000 million will be spent for rehabilitation of the for the Sri Lankan Tamil people who were displaced due to the war between the Tamil Tigers and the Sri Lankan government troops.  Addressing the Lok Sabha, the lower House of the Indian parliament Mukherjee said the money is intended to be spent for nearly 300,000 Tamil... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 06/07/09)
Monday, 06 July 2009 The UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is holding a session in Geneva from the 6th to the 30th of July. The High-level segment, which begins today, will include ECOSOC’s Annual Ministerial Review in Geneva this July, with the theme for 2009 "Implementing the internationally agreed goals and commitments in regard to global public health." Ministerial reviews evaluate the progress made by member states towards the achievement of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) (examples of which include goals to halve poverty... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 06/07/09)
The much anticipated encounter between President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s summit at Yakterinburg, Russia, turned out to be quite a starter and revealing of the Indian terms of endearment vis-à-vis Pakistan; as the foreign office establishments of the two countries geared up to pick up the thread of the stalled dialog process. Mr. Singh came across as a tenuous leader struggling to accommodate different pressure groups at home and abroad, buffeted by strong cross currents of domestic political posturing and international compulsions of statecraft. His gruff... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 06/07/09)
July 5th., 2009. The layman analytic statement about the media in Sri Lankan need much consideration by the citizens. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa a citizen and a government servant of Sri Lanka has a point when he said to the Daily Mirror financial time’s journalist Ms. Cheranka Mendis:  “The media is often thought of being over critical of the actions of government officials, politicians and even the private sectorâ€ÂÂÂ. “The media always likes to point out and harp on things we haven’t done, things we cannot do, our mistakes... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 06/07/09)
Around 300 rural homes to be powered using solar equipment, as government announces new wind farms and biomass plants Sri Lanka has flicked the switch on its first fully solar-powered village – providing energy to 300 households as well as public buildings, street lights and places of worship. Galgamuwa is located in Uva province’s southern district of Monaragala, where half the population lives without power. Access to electricity in Sri Lanka is heavily concentrated in urban areas. Seventy of the households belong to the Veddah tribe, an indigenous hunting-gathering society. The project has been supported by the Indian government, which... -Full Story- (businessgreen.com - 06/07/09)
B. Muralidhar Reddy COLOMBO: Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka has said security forces would play a key role in the country’s development drive, even as Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) leader V. Anandasangaree, in a letter to President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Monday, said what the people of the north “want is real ‘spring’ and not an agency ruleâ€ÂÂÂ. Participating at the biggest ever commissioning parade in the history of the Diyatalawa Military Academy, in which 281 Officer Cadets passed out on Saturday, Mr. Wickramanayaka said the forces would play a pivotal role in rebuilding efforts in the conflict-ravaged north... -Full Story- (The Hindu - 06/07/09)
B. Muralidhar Reddy COLOMBO: A leading light of the early leftist movement in Ceylon and wife of S.C.C. Anthony Pillai, Dona Caroline Rupasinghe Gunawardena, passed away in Kosogama, on the outskirts of Colombo on Monday. She would have turned 101 on October 8. Media Director of Presidential Secretariat Lucien Rajakarunanayake says, “The void created by her death cannot be filled. She was and would continue to be a legend.†In the words of S. Muthiah, she was “the last living link with the early leftist movement in the Ceylon that is now Sri Lanka… spent much of her life in... -Full Story- (The Hindu - 06/07/09)
One thing I never did was to underestimate the LTTE: Mahinda Rajapaksa. In this second part of an extended interview to The Hindu at Temple Trees in Colombo on June 30, President Mahinda Rajapaksa answers N. Ram’s questions on his outlook on the LTTE, his approach to it in peacetime and in armed conflict, and his assessment of its fighting capabilities and of Velupillai Prabakaran’s strategy during the endgame. The first part was published on July 6.... -Full Story- (The Hindu - 06/07/09)
Web posted at: 7/7/2009 1:6:49 Source ::: IANS New Delhi: After providing medical services to thousands displaced by war, Indian soldiers will now go to Sri Lanka to help de-mine areas once held by the Tamil Tigers, it was announced yesterday. The Tamil Tigers chief was killed by Sri Lankan forces recently. The military personnel will be part of Indian experts who will assist authorities in Sri Lanka to detect and defuse thousands of mines laid by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon told the media here.... -Full Story- (thepeninsulaqatar.com - 06/07/09)
Workers World – June 24, 2009 Consider this scenario: A CIA-trained sharpshooter takes position on a rooftop in Tehran. His contact on the street below, waiting with a camera, calls. “She just got out of the car. A perfect target.†He takes aim. Shoots. He disappears. On the street, the contact takes the video of the young woman, her face visible and unscarred, helped by people on the street around her, bleeding to death. Within an hour, the video arrives to an Iranian contact in the Netherlands, to the BBC, to the Voice of America. It becomes part of a... -Full Story- (thetruthseeker.co.uk - 06/07/09)
Jason Koutsoukis Herald Correspondent in Jerusalem May 27, 2009 ARAB members of the Israeli parliament have reacted angrily to the introduction of legislation that would make it illegal for Palestinians to mark Israel's Independence Day as a day of mourning, or Nakba Day. The private members bill was introduced by Alex Miller, a member of the Israel Our Home party of the controversial Foreign Minister, Avigdor Lieberman. The bill would prohibit anyone from holding events or activities that aimed to mark Independence Day as a time of mourning or sorrow, with punishment of up to three years' imprisonment. The Deputy... -Full Story- (smh.com.au - 06/07/09)
The human drama of some 300,000 Tamils fleeing the LTTE in the weeks before its elimination as a military force moved the world as it watched in shock, awe, and eventually great relief. What is their present condition in the Vavuniya IDP camps and what will be their future? And what is the nature of the political solution Sri Lanka’s government has in mind? President Mahinda Rajapaksa responds to N. Ram ’s questions in this first part of an extended interview to The Hindu in Colombo. Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to the President, participated in the conversation, filling in some details... -Full Story- (The Hindu - 06/07/09)
N. Ram President Mahinda Rajapaksa highlighted his determination to re-settle “as soon as possible†the close to 300,000 Tamil civilians displaced by the conflict with the LTTE. In an extended interview given to The Hindu in Colombo, he laid out his road map of what needed to be put in place to ensure the safety and meet the basic needs of those who are to be sent back to their villages. He also sketched his vision of reconciliation and development, which emphasised that in post-conflict Sri Lanka there was no place for “racism†and anything that “creates a disturbance among... -Full Story- (The Hindu - 06/07/09)
Taipei: India has replaced Taiwan as holder of the world's fourth-largest foreign currency reserves, Taiwan's central bank said on Monday. Taiwan's world ranking slipped to the fifth place as India surpassed it with foreign currency reserves of $279.5 billion. At the end of January, Taiwan's foreign currency reserves were $272.8 billion. The world's top holders of foreign currency reserves are: 1) China - $1.5 trillion; 2) Japan - $948 billion; 3) Russia - $479.4 billion; 4) India - $279.5 billion; 5) Taiwan - $272.8 billion; 6) South Korea - $261.8 billion; 7) Singapore - $163.6 billion; 8) Brazil- $163.5 billion;... -Full Story- (siliconindia.com - 06/07/09)
NEW DELHI: The Government on Monday set aside Rs 500 crore for rehabilitation of the internally displaced people and reconstruction of areas in Northern and Eastern Sri Lanka devastated by the war against the LTTE. Presenting the Union Budget for the year 2009-10 in the Lok Sabha, Mukherjee said that the UPA Government is committed to ensuring that the Sri Lankan Tamils enjoy their rights and legitimate aspirations within the territorial sovereignty and framework o f the country's constitution. Mr Mukherjee said the External Affairs Ministry was working closely with Sri Lankan Government to ensure rehabilitation of the displaced people.... -Full Story- (thehindubusinessline.com - 06/07/09)
By Ranga Sirilal COLOMBO, July 6 (Reuters) - Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who won a 25-year war with Tamil Tigers long viewed as unwinnable, said a political solution to the problems that helped fan the conflict must wait for presidential elections. The president, who had strong backing for his tough military approach from hard-line members of his ruling coalition, will have a tougher time getting them on board with a political solution if it involves significant concessions to the country's Tamil and other minorities, political analysts say. Parties like coalition members Jathika Hela Urumaya and Janatha Nidahas Sandhanaya are... -Full Story- (reuters.com - 06/07/09)
July 6, 2009 - 3:29PM Police have released an image of a man wanted over a violent Sydney home invasion in which caustic soda, a substance with similar effects to acid, was poured in the faces of two Sri Lankan students. Jayasri Watawala, 22, and Chathurika Weerasinghe, 27, were at their Westmead home in Sydney's west on the night of May 17 when attacked. Police say a group of up to five men forced their way into the property where the corrosive liquid sodium hydroxide was splashed on the victims, who also suffered other physical injuries. "The victims suffered life-threatening... -Full Story- (news.theage.com.au - 06/07/09)
July 6, 2009: Sri Lanka is buying six Israeli Super Dvora Mk III patrol boats. This model first entered service five years ago, and have been a great success. The 86 foot boats can operate in as little as four feet of water, thus they are useful for landing, or picking up, commandos. The boats are armed with a multibarrel 20mm cannon, or a single barrel 25-30mm cannon and a 40mm automatic grenade launcher. There is a crew of nine. The 70 ton boats can sprint to over 90 kilometers an hour, and have a max range (depending on cruising... -Full Story- (strategypage.com - 06/07/09)
LTTE's international network operated by the fugitive Kumaran Pathmanathan alias 'KP' has totally cracked with the Tamil diaspora overseas and former LTTE ransom collectors withdrawing from the 'new found' LTTE of Pathmanathan, reports reaching Colombo from Canada said. The latest episode of the so called LTTE of Pathmanathan has being described by the Tamil diaspora overseas as the Shylock in 'Merchant of Venice', with KP trying to grab funds already in possession of several LTTE fund raising men during Velupillai Prabhakaran's time. KP, using the internet facility, it is said had threatened several LTTE businessmen... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 06/07/09)
While the LTTE was fighting militarily for the establishment of a separate State, the illusive Eelam by segregating Sri Lanka , there was a malevolent combined force of different political hues, ideologies, nationalities, and NGO vultures joined with Tamil supremacists, assisted and nourished by rogue foreign elements championing the same objective through clandestine and indirect techniques. Although the militaristic action of the LTTE was corollary to 1976 ignominious Vaddukkodai resolution the cause espoused by the macabre non-LTTE evil axis finds its origin in the State Council era where racist and Tamil supremacist Arunachalams, Ponnambalams, and Chelvanayagams advocated... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 05/07/09)
-19 11. 2008 -Now that once again the infamous and much debated 13th amendment is trying to raise its ugly head, I thought it appropriate and timely too, to highlight few critical issues on this subject in the broader interest of the nation so that it will open the way for a nationwide public debate. The 13th amendment was brought up in pursuance of the Indo-Sri Lanka agreement of 29th July 1987 entered upon between Sri Lanka and India. This was singed by J.R.Jayawardene, the then President of Sri Lanka and Rajive... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 04/07/09)
During the last couple of months when the Sri Lankan war was on, the Tamil Diaspora and the sympathisers of the LTTE went on a rampage in the Western countries conducting demonstrations, processions, blocking roads, fasting and so on causing problems to the locals and inconveniencing the tourists. Because of this, tourists changed their travel arrangements from the West to Asia. This had an impact on their tourism.  Apart from this, employing additional Police in demonstrations and supplying security to various Embassies was a supplementary cost to the respective governments. It had been reported that the LTTE... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 04/07/09)
In an interview with Rajesh Sundaram of India Today, the LTTE’s arms procurer and new proclaimed leader, K. Pathmanathan (alias KP), has said that his outfit would fight for their past separatist goals “through political means†(without specifically mentioning what those political means are) until a political settlement is reached based on the principles of Tamil nationhood, homeland and right to self determination. The latest love for the implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in full, initiated by the foreign funded NGOs and proxies in their pay-roll (both in and outside the government)... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 04/07/09)
Great Britain celebrated its first ever Ranaviru Day or ‘Armed Forces Day’ on Saturday 27th June 2009 honoring the men and women who dedicate their lives to defending Britain, including serving troops, service families, veterans and recruits. Hundreds of events took place around Britain to celebrate the achievements of serving troops, service families, veterans and recruits. The centerpiece of the celebrations was held at the historic Dockyard at Chatham, Kent, on 27th June, which was included, a fly-past by the Red Arrows, parachute displays and veterans’ parade. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and first... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 04/07/09)
The unending recoveries by the military now engaged in search and clear operations are now exposing the magnitude of the terror operations the LTTE had planned to execute against the Security Forces to reach their goal of Eelam during the Eelam War IV, which began in the year 2006 with the closure of the Mavil Aru anicut but ended with the total elimination of the LTTE from the Sri Lankan soils. It is amazing to note that each and every square kilo meter in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts have been turned into armouries of the LTTE, with the speedy advance... -Full Story- (sundayobserver.lk - 04/07/09)
By Tissa Ravindra Perera Having vanquished the most ruthless terrorist outfit the world has known, the security forces (SF) are on the double arranging for the resettlement of all displaced persons in their former places of residence. First on the agenda is the unearthing of arms and ammunition hidden by the terrorists. Then the forces also have to ensure that the areas thus cleared are free of landmines, improvised explosive devices and other booby traps left behind by the terrorists. For this task, the Wanni has been divided into four sectors, with each sector assigned to a separate Battalion, to... -Full Story- (nation.lk - 04/07/09)
A noted historian has warned that it would be catastrophic for Sri Lanka to take a triumphant position on its victory over LTTE and it is time the country gave democracy and pluralism a chance. "In the aftermath of defeat of Tamil Tigers, it would be catastrophic if the Sri Lankan Government were to take a triumphant position. I am told there is a proposal to build statues of a Sri Lankan King who died 2,000 years ago to commemorate the victory," Ramachandra Guha, the Bangalore-based historian and biographer said while delivering the fifth Nehru memorial Lecture 2009 on Democracy... -Full Story- (Hindustan Times - 04/07/09)
Rumors that China and Sri Lanka engaged in an arms deal during the southeast Asian country's recent civil war was rejected by visiting Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama on Friday. "Sri Lanka and China enjoy a traditional bilateral relationship and have enjoyed a smooth development of cooperation since the diplomatic ties were established in 1957," Bogollagama told China Daily. He dismissed speculations that China was providing military equipment to Sri Lanka to fight against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and said the rumors of arms sales are based on "no facts and figures". The Tamil Tigers were recently crushed after... -Full Story- (chinadaily.com.cn - 04/07/09)
COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s central bank chief said that the island could live without a major IMF bailout that had been delayed by the final stages of the government’s fight with Tamil Tiger rebels. The government had requested the $1.9bn loan in March to help stave off its first balance of payments deficit in four years after foreign currency reserves fell to around six weeks’ worth of imports. The loan was delayed under political pressure from the United States, Britain and other countries who felt the government was not doing enough to avoid civilian casualties as it closed in on the... -Full Story- (thepeninsulaqatar.com - 04/07/09)
Indo -Sri lanka Accord (agreement) was signed by the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka His Excellency Mr. J. R. Jayewardene and the Prime Minister of the Republic of India his Excellency Mr. Rajiv Gandhi in Colombo on July 29, 1987, to establish peace and normalcy by resolving the ethnic problem for the safety, wellbeing and prosperity of people belonging to all communities of Sri lanka. The text of the Accord included the following statement to prove that this Accord is a contract agreement between the two parties: Have... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 04/07/09)
Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Friday said that through the planning and strategies that defeated the LTTE, the island nation had endowed the world with the true art of humanitarian operations, even as the Defence Ministry announced that some of the curbs on transport of cargo into the Northern Province were being lifted.... -Full Story- (The Hindu - 04/07/09)
The Thirteenth Amendment (13A) is the biggest risk facing the nation today after its security forces crushed the LTTE. On the face of it there is nothing to get alarmed although the 13A failed to resolve anything; definitely not the ‘ethnic’ problem. It only added an additional corruption burden on the people, nine more elections every 4-5 years, another layer of red-tape and loads of other complications. The implementation of the 13A justifies India’s meddling in Sri Lankan affairs and effectively takes away what is known on paper as ‘peoples’ sovereignty’. B... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 04/07/09)
No Constitution is sacrosanct and any clause that does not fit in the development process of the country could be amended either by a two third majority or a referendum. Therefore the 13 Amendment could be removed if the implementation of it could lead to political problems.  There are those who see nothing objectionable in the implementation of the 13 Amendment and there are those who oppose it. In the context of the thirty years of suffering under a ruthless terrorism, it is time that all of us whether we are Sinhala, Tamil , Muslim or other,... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 04/07/09)
There is an article with headline " Angry MR refuses to bow down to JHU Threat, which we read very carefully. The statement appears to be in response to recent threat of resignation by JHU i.e. one of the constituent of Governing Alliance of UPFA if the government try to implement 13th Amendment. Pls. publish this article as a suggestion for a way forward. Now, it is increasingly clear as per President Mahinda Rajapakse's response that government is determined to implement the 13th Amendment of the constitution as a political solution to so called Tamil problem... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 03/07/09)
Detectives of the Metropolitan Police of London released the e-fit image of an Asian looking man they believe is the killer of the Sri Lankan woman Michelle Samaraweera (35), and who is also believed to have raped two other women in the area .Because the serial rapist is liable to strike again the Police are appealing to probable witnesses to come forward who could tell any information about the man that would help lead to his arrest. At the end of May Samaraweera was found strangled and raped in a small children's park in Walthamstow, a... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 03/07/09)
Without knowing who Sinhala and Tamil are and without knowing their true history, trying to offer solutions does mean nothing.  It is a fast time for some individuals to show off as Marxists and quoting from others to hide their on emptiness since they got nothing else to claim any association or an identity. It is really disappointing to try to be the representative, the administrator and the final arbitrator on matters that are beyond your concern and capacity. It is time for Sinhala people to stop tolerating interference from outsiders and affirm their ownership, rights and... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 03/07/09)
http://www.uq.net.au/slsoc/vicpic.htm  This is a comment on the posts given below by Wimal Ediriwira and Ravi Randeniya. They both deal, amongst other things, with the recognition of the NP and the EP as a traditional homeland of the Tamils. As we know Mahinda Rajapaksa is committed to implement the Indo-SL agreement of 1987 which led to 13A "in full" and even go beyond. Implementing 13A implies recognizing the NP and EP as the homeland of the Tamils which was part of the Indo-SL agreement. Wimal, who has set himself as an authority on homelands, has posed some... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 03/07/09)
All those in Colombo are not Colombians. It is only the superficial superlatives; some Colombians have sprung like jack in the box to become ardent Mahindians. There are still many in Colombo who stand on principle, refined to the core, constructively critical, tolerating no nonsense. Colombians come -lately with giddy minds, in search of upward mobility proselytized in their hunt to be associated with the winner looking for possible advancement in silence or in secret, have made the over night crossing. It is a passing phenomenon. They will soon return to base.  Yet Colombo at large... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 03/07/09)
There is an identity of opinion between Mr. Prasanna Ranathunge the Western Province Chief Minister and the Island Newspaper when they both say that the 13 th amendment was an act that was passed in parliament and therefore it has to be implemented. The Island editorial of 01/07/2009 says that the 13th amendment is very much part of the basic law of this country and Mr. Ranathunge says that except for a handful the whole country has endorsed this. How can the latter be sure of that? Let me quote the Asian Tribune on what the... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 03/07/09)
In an article in the Daily News of Friday July 03, 2009 Dayan Jayatillake says "One of the silliest arguments against the implementation of the 13th Amendment is that it is a stepping-stone to or somehow related to the Tamil separatist cause". He then provided proof for his statement in the next sentence by saying "If that were the case, Prabhakaran would have accepted it, not rejected it and gone to war against the Indian Peace-keeping Force, damaging his relations with India and culminating in the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, an atrocious crime for which... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 03/07/09)
If the present Sri Lankan leaders are going to sing the same old song which was solely composed by India in 1987 for their own benefit, then the recent military victory would be a total loss and in vain. Our brave men and women of the valiant forces did not sacrifice their lives for the leaders to play with the country. They were marching for the complete freedom of the whole country and the nation and never for a particular region of the country let that be North and East or anywhere. When 92% of Sri... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 02/07/09)
A man named EVR Periyar is a Tamil. And Tamils are only one of the races among Dravidaians. In the 1930s he had wanted all the Dravidaian of then Madras state to get together and ask the British for a separate country. However, Periyar had not claimed Dravidaians face problems for being Dravidaians.  Periyar had set up a political party named Dravida Kazhagam (DK) solely for separation purpose in the 1930s, and came up with a slogan; ‘Dravida Nadu for Dravidians.' What is also notable is; Periyar had come up with his slogan on the basis... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 02/07/09)
There is nothing that our enemy, the Tiger international network and the pro-Tiger, pro-Tamil Eelam Tamil Diaspora would like better, than to see a gap open up in the partnership between Sri Lanka and India; a gap that they will seek to manipulate in consonance with their Western patrons and friends. The non-implementation of the 13th amendment will open up such a gap. The implementation of the 13th amendment is not a give away or dilution of our military gains. It is the necessary political accompaniment of them and the guarantee of the consolidation of our military... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 02/07/09)
Dr D S Bandarage, Father of Modern Management passed away peacefully, this morning (2 July 2009).  During the late 40s Dr Bandarage was appointed as the Personnel Manager of Shell Company of Ceylon (one of the four multinational companies operating in Sri Lanka at the time). Afterwards, he worked as Personnel Manager at Lever Bros (now Unilever) for several decades. These are major watershed appointments in the Sri Lankan management arena because they were the first occasions that a native born Sri Lankan was appointed to set up Personnel Departments in Sri Lankan multinational companies. Dr... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 02/07/09)
King who rules the country knows what is best for his fellow citizens. That's why he is The King with people's mandate. This is the undisputed norm since the tribal era in the ancient world. To a greater extent modern day kings are no different to olden age kings in term of decision making, as they all got plenty of aides & advisors around. Therefor invariably bulk of the out come neither palatable for the tribe nor for the king. This has been the trend and the tradition and Sri Lanka is no different... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 02/07/09)
"He won the war but it is his hurrah boys who are trying to go places on victory! It is like a bevy of dancing girls staking claims for the IPL trophy on grounds that they cheered for the winning side!" I am absolutely with you on the foregoing part in your yesterday's editorial. Being fervent fans of your art of writing, we wouldn't miss your editorials after the headline even from this far flung land. Aren't they resourceful? Having said that would you mind if I add to your editorial a few lines in the... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 02/07/09)
“A one eyed turtle, whose life span is immeasurable, lives at the bottom of the sea. Once every 100 years, it rises to the surface. There is only one sandalwood log floating in the sea with a hollow in it suitable to the turtle's eye size. Since the turtle is one eyed and the log is tossed about by the wind and waves, the likelihood of the turtle finding the log is extremely remote†this is how the Lord Buddha illustrates how difficult it is to be born a human being in the cycle of reincarnation. ... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 02/07/09)
Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, At the very outset, let me tell you that this symposium could not have been organized in a better time. The timing is so perfect on so many fronts; on the domestic front, the war is over, there is an increasing demand for foreign capital not only in the northern and eastern provinces, for there has not been any meaningful investment in these two regions during the last three decades. The socio-political forces have overridden the financial and economic needs of the day in these two provinces. However,... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 02/07/09)
Many people have written about the need for national reconciliation and unity between Sinhalese and Tamil communities in Sri Lanka. They stress the need for a dialogue between the Sinhalese and Tamils and the importance of a political solution to solve the conflict. All previous attempts to come to a negotiated solution with Tamil separatists were failures. While there are several reasons why they ended up in failures, I believe we failed to take into account a key factor which allowed the LTTE to take naive governments of R.Premadasa, Chandrika Kumaranatunga and Ranil Wickramasinghe for a... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 02/07/09)
An alleged pro-LTTE supporter in Australia Amalathepan Srikantharajah (25) of Girraween was arrested by Australian detectives, charged over the throwing of acid on two Sinhalese students and attempting to murder them. The incident which received international condemnation was also rebuked by the Australian government .  The unprovoked attack took place in the immediate aftermath of the fall of the Tamil Tigers at the hands of the Sri Lanka military and the death of its leader Prabhakaran.  The two Sinhalese victims, Chahunika Werasinghe (27) and housemate Jayasiri Watawala (22) were attacked in their home by Sri Lankans,... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 02/07/09)
A few months have passed since the global economic system crashed and action taken to date has failed to arrest the problem. Justin Lee, the Chief Economist and the Vice President for Development Economics at the World Bank has voiced himself as to what has to be done to put the global economy on the right track: We need bold policy measures including restoration of domestic lending and global capital flows (Daily News, Sri Lanka, 25/06/09) The International Labour Organization(ILO) advocates the open market system... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 01/07/09)
Ms. Navanetham Pillay, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights ,Wilson 52 rue des Paquis CH-1201 Geneva Switzerland Dear Ms. Pillay: Sri Lanka’s Daily Mirror of June 29, 2009 reported that: “Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said the newly appointed United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillai was making it difficult for Sri Lanka to engage in dialogue with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Her statements have not made it easier for us to gather the support of the people of... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 01/07/09)
The President according to top Indian sources has promised to go beyond the 13th amendment. This is what the news article in BBC Sinhala.com said on an earlier date; President Mahinda Rajapaksa earlier told an Indian television channel that his government is considering "13 amendment plus" in an attempt to resolve grievances of Sri Lanka's Tamil community. India said that a high level Sri Lankan delegation visiting India last week has assured Delhi that a solution better than the 13 amendment will be implemented. "I was assured that it is the intention of the... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 01/07/09)
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