|
|
|
More Headline News
|
Sea surges kill thousands in Sri Lanka
Sunday, 26 December 2004 - 11:30 AM SL Time
The 9.0 magnitude quake struck under the sea near Aceh in north Indonesia, generating a wall of water that sped across thousands of kilometres of sea.
Sri Lankan military authorities are reporting more than 3,200 people killed Exact numbers of people killed, injured or missing in the countries hit, are impossible to confirm.
Hundreds are still thought to be missing from coastal regions and, in Sri Lanka alone, officials say more than a million people have been forced from their homes.
Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga declared a national disaster and the military has been deployed to help rescue efforts.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 15 )
From Portugal, JVP plans to demand `Financial Reparation and Apology` for colonial domination of SL
Saturday, 25 December 2004 - 9:46 P SL Time
The `Portuguese Encounter``, a group of technocrats intellectuals and historians are seeking an apology from the Portuguese for their 16th century occupation of the island of Sri Lanka.
This group which meets every week in Colombo has also asked the Janatha Vimukthi Permanua (JVP), a coalition partner in the Sri Lankan government, for assistance in securing this apology, and now the JVP is working towards it.
What form of the apology will be acceptable and adequate has to be worked out, a `Portuguese encounter` spokesman said. Apparently the JVP favors the kind of apology that has been proffered by Portugal in former colonies in Africa, but so far the Portuguese have said that such an apology is not appropriate.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 2 )
`Peace closer than ever` : President
Saturday, 25 December 2004 - 4:02 A SL Time
In a Christmas message issued on Friday by the presidential secretariat, the president said almost all the groundwork directed towards the fulfilment of peace has been done.
'As a nation we Sri Lankans have been waiting for the dawn of a permanent peace in our land for the past three years. I am confident the tranquillity which appeared elusive is closer than ever before.'
President Chandrika Kumaratunga also called for the end to the divisive religious activities.
'Let not the religions we follow be divisive factors', the message said.
'The sacred texts of the Buddhists and the Hindus, the Bible and the Koran should be our sources of divine inspiration and practical guidance to unite for peace.'
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 2 )
|
|
|
|
|
Politics
|
No need for foreign peace brokers, says Lankan Buddhist prelate
Friday, 24 December 2004 - 10:11 PM SL Time
The Prelate of the Amarapura Buddhist sect has said that there is no need for foreign mediation or facilitation to solve the ethnic problem in Sri Lanka.
The Venerable Davuldena Gnanissara Maha Thero, the Mahanayake of the Amarapura Nikaya or Sect, told Hindustan Times that the ethnic problem in Sri Lanka could very well be solved by the three main communities living in the island, namely, the Sinhalas, the Tamils and the Muslims, without the aid of foreign facilitators or mediators, whether Norwegian or Indian.
`The three communities have been living together in this island like brothers for centuries. They can very well sort out their problems through friendly discussions among themselves. The Sinhalas, Tamils and Muslims must sit together and discuss how to run this country,` the 89-year-old prelate said.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
SB`s two brothers misappropriated public funds, says Investigation Unit
Friday, 24 December 2004 - 6:55 AM SL Time
The Presidential Crime Investigation Unit has stepped on a series of acts of massive misappropriation of public funds by the two brothers of former Samurdhi Minister S. B. Dissanayake.
The investigators have gathered data relating to a fraud of Rs. 24.2 million by the two younger brothers out of which Rs. 21.7 million is attributed to Dissanayake`s younger brother Saliya, a former Central Provincial Health Minister.
The other younger brother J. B. Dissanayaka is alleged to have cheated funds to the tune of Rs. 2.5 million, consisting Rs. 200,000 through Lanka Fertilizer Company, Rs. 100,000 from the Commercial Company, Rs. 500,000 from Milco Company, Rs. 200,000 from the CIC Fertilizer Company and Rs. 1.5 million from the Samurdhi Development Fund.
He has withdrawn these sums by holding out threats to the officials saying he was S. B. Dissanayake`s younger brother.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 1 )
Foreign powers must not interfere says JVP
Thursday, 23 December 2004 - 9:16 P SL Time
The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna charged Wednesday that the international community was trying to make the Sri Lankan government to dance according to their tunes.
The JVP propaganda secretary and the Patriotic National Movement co-chairman Wimal Weerawansa said this while addressing the Colombo district convention of the PNM held at the New Town Hall on Tuesday.
He charged that certain foreign powers went beyond their limits by getting involved in the internal affairs of our country and said people should not allow these foreign powers to invade the country.
Mr. Weerawansa said certain foreign powers had no idea what their limits were and tried to interfere in each and every matter concerning the country.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 2 )
|
|
|
|
|
Editorial News
|
Relative of senior Tiger political leader deported
Friday, 24 December 2004 - 7:57 PM SL Time
The brother-in-law of Tamil Tigers political wing leader S.P. Thamilselvan has been deported to Sri Lanka from Canada.
This followed his unsuccessful asylum application after living there for more than nine years, a local newspaper said yesterday.
Thamilselvan Nandagopal alias Gopu, 32, a frontline leader of the World Tamil Movement (WTM), a Tiger front organisation was involved in raising funds for the guerrilla movement.
Gopu, described as a failed refugee claimant, had been arrested early this month because of his involvement with Thamilselvan and the links with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
Though he failed as a refugee applicant he had protested on grounds that he would be victimised by the Sri Lankan security officials upon his arrival in Katunayake, the only international airport as he was related to Thamilselvan.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Express train kills jumbos in Anuradhapura
Thursday, 23 December 2004 - 10:43 SL Time
The train`s engine derailed in the accident, but nobody aboard the train was hurt. The train was carrying about 500 passengers at the time of the accident.
Eye witness say that at least twenty elephants were on the rail track at the time of the accident .
Wild life veterinarian, Dr. Chandana Jaysinghe said that elephants sustained injuries in the legs and the train`s impact broke their spines. He said that the likelihood of survival of the injured animals are very low. `Lankadepa` Correspondent Athula Bandara reporting from the scene says that within this year 65 elephants have been killed within the north western wild life zone.
Three weeks ago, another elephant had lost its life in another such accident at the same location.
The Director of wild life (North West), Manjula Amararatne, said that the train drivers were cautioned thereafter to drive carefully in that area.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Malnutrition rife in Tiger territory
Thursday, 23 December 2004 - 1:32 A SL Time
Malnutrition is spreading rapidly in areas under LTTE control, with nearly one in five children suffering stunted growth, according to the United Nations World Food Programme, states an AFP report.
The AFP report said: `The World Food Program said a recent survey in the LTTE-stronghold of Wanni found that a lack of clean water, irregular supply of food and an environment causing mental stress contributed to the nutrition problem.
`While malnutrition remains an island-wide problem, the results of the survey indicate that malnutrition rates in the Wanni are about eight percent higher than the national average,` the WFP said in a statement.
It did not suggest remedial action, but said one in four children between the ages of one and two years were `wasted`, or had low weight for their age. Boys were more affected than girls.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 1 )
|
|
|
|
|
| Security |
Police gun down 'Ata' Indika
Monday, 27 December 2004 - 8:09 AM SL Time
Police yesterday killed notorious gangster 'Ata' Indika, when he tried to escape while being taken by police to a hideout at Kottawa.
The police had taken him there to recover some weapons the gangster claimed he had hidden there.
A senior policeman said that 'Ata' Indika tried to grab a weapon from a policeman. `Police shot him,` he said.
We didn't have any other option,` he said, while revealing that he had been arrested a few hours before at Kurunegala.
'Ata' Indika had once escaped from the police taking advantage of a visit to a Colombo police station by several human rights activists.
Police said that he had associated with several police officials and politicians and was one of the gang leaders wanted over a spate of killings, robberies and extortion.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Sri Lanka announces US$20,000 reward for clues in Indian concert attack
Thursday, 23 December 2004 - 5:56 A SL Time
Government is offering a US$20,000 reward for clues leading to arrests in a deadly grenade attack at a controversial concert by Bollywood performers, police said Wednesday.
`We are keen to arrest the people who carried out this attack, this is the reason why the award was announced,` said Deputy Inspector General of Police Sirisena Herath.
The US$20,000 reward for information is an unprecedented sum in Sri Lanka.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 3 )
Canada`s Tamils must rethink LTTE support
Tuesday, 21 December 2004 - 8:51 PM SL Time
Not long afterwards, in August, 2002, soldiers from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE, or Tamil Tigers) abducted Selvamani while she was walking to class. They took her to a military training camp where she learned to use weapons, including landmines and bombs. During training, when she became too weary to continue and asked to rest, the rebels beat her.
Canadian Tamils don`t have to worry that their children will one day vanish on the way home from school and end up in a military training camp. But the Tamil community in Canada bears some responsibility for the fate of children like Selvamani. Many of Canada`s 250,000 Sri Lankan Tamils provide financial and political support for the LTTE, enabling the group to continue its recruitment and use of child soldiers.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 2 )
|
|
|
|
|
Business / Economy News
|
Economy grows 5.5 per cent
Sunday, 26 December 2004 - 2:51 AM SL Time
The Economy had grown over 5.5 percent during the first nine months of this year despite the oil shock and the severe drought that prevailed in the second and third quarters of the year.
Accordingly, in the third quarter of the year the GDP growth rate is five percent at constant prices (1998), which is 0.5 percent below the growth rate of the third quarter of last year, an official of the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) said. Economic analysts say that this is really a very satisfactory achievement under adverse internal and external conditions.
They said that many economies in the world failed to achieve the projected growth rates as a result of the oil price hike and other external shocks. `It is a commendable achievement in this scenario to achieve a 5.5 growth rate`, they added.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Indo-Sri Lankan air fares to go down
Saturday, 25 December 2004 - 9:42 A SL Time
While India has granted Sri Lanka the multiple designated carrier, the Sri Lankan government has also now decided to let the country`s three domestic airlines operate international flights, officials said. The airlines can, after finalising route guidelines with both the countries, mount flights between the two neighbours.
Officials said most of the flights will be to south Indian cities which are popular destinations for Sri Lankan tourists and shoppers. Besides, some flights will be operated to other parts of India. While a final time frame for allotting the routes is yet to be fixed, the officials said the new airlines will be able to mount these international flights by early 2005.
Industry observers said the introduction of these new flights are expected to further bring down air fares, which are already at a low since India`s Jet Airways and Air Sahara started operations to Colombo. Besides, it would mean increased competition for SriLankan Airlines, currently the island nation`s only international carrier.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Sri Lanka orders amnesty for 10,000 foreign illegal workers
Friday, 24 December 2004 - 10:11 PM SL Time
Sri Lanka today ordered all foreigners illegally employed in the country, numbering some 10,000, to leave before January 10 or face arrest, a move that would affect a large number of Indian craftsmen employed in the island`s jewellery industry.
Foreigners overstaying visas would have a 17-day amnesty to pack up and leave without any questions being asked, the government said.
However, the Public Security Ministry said it will order immigration authorities to carry out raids on establishments employing foreigners from January 10.
The Ministry said that over 10,000 Asians were employed illegally in restaurants and jewellery stores after entering the island as tourists, but if they left before January 10 they will not be prosecuted.
`All foreign nationals whose temporary visas have expired have been given time till January 10 to leave the country or face arrest and prosecution,` the ministry said in a statement.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
|
|
|
|
| Sports News
|
SLC will consider if approach made -Mohan
Sunday, 26 December 2004 - 5:47 AM SL Time
If there is an official approach made to Sri Lanka Cricket to include cricket at the 10th SA (South Asian) Games in 2005, it will receive serious consideration Mohan de Silva President SLC said.
He was responding to an effort made by the National Olympic Committee (NOC) through its President Hemasiri Fernando who has sent a letter to the SLC on Friday, with a view to getting official approval from Sri Lanka Cricket.
`Obviously there is an attempt made to include cricket at the SAF Games and I personally think it is not a bad idea` De Silva told 'Sunday Island'.
`But as of now there is no concrete decision made.
`We really need to take a closer look at the inclusion of cricket in an event like SAG`.
De Silva further added that if a proposal is made to the SLC the cricket body will have to take a decision on the format of cricket to be introduced and suggested either 20-20 cricket or a limited over tournament would suit best.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Kiwis prepare to counter Vaas` left-arm swing
Sunday, 26 December 2004 - 5:47 AM SL Time
New Zealand have called for specialist left-arm swing practice to counter the threat of Chaminda Vaas in the opening one-day cricket international against Sri Lanka here Sunday.
Dropped Black Cap James Franklin has been drafted back into the camp for net practice as New Zealand expects Vaas to provide Sri Lanka with some sting on what could be a seaming pitch.
`We asked Jimmy to come up and bowl at the boys because they`ve got a couple of handy left-armers,` Black Caps manager Ross Dykes said.
`It sounds as though one of them might be out, but they still have Vaas. He swings the new ball and so does Jimmy so it`s just about planning ahead and it`s excellent practice for the batters.`
Of the left-arm seam attack, Nuwan Zoysa is likely to miss the first two of the five internationals after dislocating a finger in a warm-up match, placing added focus on Vaas who has a fondness for New Zealand conditions.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Sri Lanka`s warm-up game rained off
Tuesday, 21 December 2004 - 10:34 P SL Time
Sri Lanka found themselves victims of New Zealand`s miserable summer, so far at least, when the opening game of their tour was rained off after only five overs of their innings at New Plymouth`s Yarrow Stadium.
Sri Lanka won the toss and asked Central Districts, the New Zealand one-day domestic champions, to bat first. Most of the interest hovered around how Jamie How, the season`s standout performer so far, would fare.
But both he and and Craig Spearman, the former New Zealand opener, were dismissed for two runs by Nuwan Zoysa, the left-arm fast bowler. At 10 for 2 the pressure was on the home team. Mathew Sinclair batted down the order at No. 4 but scored only 4, and it was left to Ross Taylor to provide a typically dynamic innings of 36 before he was forced to retire hurt.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
|
|
