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Sri Lanka government presents budget amid opposition boycott
Tuesday, 8 November 2005 - 8:45 PM SL Time
The Sri Lankan government unveiled its annual budget Tuesday amid a boycott by the main opposition, which accused the ruling party of offering ``carrots`` to the public just days ahead of a presidential election.
The budget won`t face a parliamentary vote until after the Nov. 17 poll.
The main opposition charged that presenting the budget before the election gave an undue advantage to the ruling party candidate, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse, by offering ``carrots`` to the masses.
``We will present a fresh budget after the election,`` vowed Mahinda Samarasinghe, an opposition lawmaker.
As part of its budget for 2006, Sri Lanka will restrict a costly fuel subsidy to a few groups and boost infrastructure development, Finance Minister Sarath Amunugama told parliament.
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UNP vows to present fresh budget after Nov. 18
Tuesday, 8 November 2005 - 3:21 AM SL Time
The UNP yesterday vowed to present a fresh budget in parliament after November 18, even though the UPFA presents its budget today.
UNP Assistant General Secretary Tissa Attanayake told journalists the government would not be able to pass the budget even though it is presented to parliament today.
Mr. Attanayake said the UPFA budget would just be confined to a paper until it is debated and passed in parliament.
He said the Constitution did not prevent the presentation of a second budget if the first one was not approved by parliament.
He reiterated the charge that the UPFA was trying to gain undue advantage by presenting the budget before an election.
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Benefits for average wage earners in today`s budget
Tuesday, 8 November 2005 - 3:16 AM SL Time
Despite objections from the UNP, the Second budget of the UPFA government will be presented in Parliament by Finance Minister Dr.Sarath Amunugama at 2.00 p.m. today.
The UNP objected to the budget being presented before the Presidential Election of November 17 saying that it could be used to boost the chances of the UPFA`s presidential candidate.
Parliament will be adjourned immediately after the presentation of the Budget and will reconvene on November 22.
Informed government sources said the budget will provide additional relief to the average income earners and the underprivileged while also giving the second slab of the Rs.2,500 increase to public servants drawing lower salaries. A number of proposals for relief to temporary/daily paid employees in government service are also expected in the budget proposals.
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Politics
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JVP changing its tune: Johnston F.
Wednesday, 9 November 2005 - 2:46 AM SL Time
UNP Puttalam District MP Johnston Fernando yesterday accused the JVP of changing tunes.
Addressing a press conference he said that the JVP who criticized UPFA Presidential Candidate Mahinda Rajapakse earlier had decided to back him at the presidential election.
He said that soon after the 2004 General election, it was the JVP who said that Mahinda Rajapakse was not fit for the premiership, and wanted the president to appoint the late Lakshman Kadirgamar, but today they say that he is fit for the executive presidency.
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Ranil wants live debate with Mahinda before Nov. 14
Wednesday, 9 November 2005 - 2:42 AM SL Time
Tells Premier to translate acceptance into action
UNP leader and presidential candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe has welcomed Prime Minister and UPFA presidential candidate Mahinda Rajapakse`s acceptance of his challenge to a public debate to be telecast live on the main issues involving the crucial presidential election.
In a letter to Mr. Rajapakse, Mr. Wickremesinghe has urged him to translate the acceptance into action and suggested ground rules for the debate to be held within the coming week.
Mr. Wickremesinghe said:
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`Ranil to solve ethnic crisis and restore peace, what a joke?` PM
Wednesday, 9 November 2005 - 2:39 AM SL Time
Addressing a large gathering of SLFP, JVP, LSSP supportes and estate workers in Deraniyagala town, PM Mahinda Rajapakse asked `what has the UNP, MP done to develop Deraniyagala electorate during his tenure' On the contrary the SLFP had done much, including electricity and other facilities to estate workers. I would promise to resolve the remaining problems after assuming presidentship he assured.
Continuing the PM said, the UNP had been ruling this country for over 17 years, but took no action to resolve the ethnic problem. But now Ranil says, to establish peace to elect him as president. He had been PM for two years but failed to restore peace, but now he wants to be president and solve the ethnic crisis and restore peace. What a joke'` the PM asked.
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Editorial News
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Plunder of state assets
Wednesday, 9 November 2005 - 2:41 AM SL Time
Of an election, what is always calculated is only the direct cost. The indirect costs or external costs defy assessment, the abuse of state property being one, as politicians and their bureaucratic lackeys have over the decades destroyed the tracking systems that once existed in the public service.
Transparency International (TI) has told the media that election propaganda costs the state coffers dearly due to the abuse of public resources for political purposes. The main culprit is the ruling party'in the present instance the UPFA'and the other parties that wield power in provincial councils and local government bodies also help themselves to public resources to further their political interests. This abuse is so widespread and the public are so helpless that it has gone the same way as environmental pollution or bribery and corruption'taken for granted. What cannot be cured, as they say, must be endured!
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Leave children alone!
Tuesday, 8 November 2005 - 3:20 AM SL Time
It was only the other day that Iran came under fire over a remark President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had made about Israel. `This stain of disgrace,` he said referring to Israel, `will be wiped off the face of the world. And this is attainable` Although it was meant for the consumption of a home audience, and such rhetoric is not uncommon in the Muslim world, as it was picked up by the western media and beamed across the globe within minutes, Ahmadinejad has incurred the wrath of the world community, in spite of the fact that it was a propaganda blitz being orchestrated by the West to demonise Iran.
There is again much hullabaloo over a controversial children`s cartoon movie produced by the Iranian state television. (The Island of Nov. 07). Based on the making of a suicide bomber, it is said to aim at glorifying terror attacks on Israel and allegedly instigating the Iranian children to follow suit, should the need arise. This film is said to be part of Iran`s propaganda campaign to promote the call for destroying Israel.
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Feline wiles
Monday, 7 November 2005 - 4:59 AM SL Time
The LTTE is reported to have invited the European Union Election Observers, now in the country, to visit the uncleared areas and meet its leaders. It is a very clever move. The travel ban in the EU has sent the Tigers reeling. They no longer have the privilege of brushing their spotted tails with the coattails of EU officials and politicians at state functions to gain international legitimacy. They may have thought of circumventing the ban and gaining some mileage by luring the EU observers into meetings their leaders here.
LTTE Political Wing Leader S. P. Tamilshelvam has, according to reports, urged the EU observers to step in to minimise the difficulties faced by the people who move into the cleared areas to exercise their franchise at the cluster polling stations. How nice of the Tigers! They appear to be so considerate towards the people and concerned about their democratic rights! But why is it that they continue to rob the same people of their children and their hard earned money'
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| Security |
Angry Mangala seeks probe on Bribery Com.
Wednesday, 9 November 2005 - 2:43 AM SL Time
UPFA candidate Mahinda Rajapakse`s chief campaign coordinator Mangala Samaraweera yesterday charged that if the Bribery Commission was resorting to throwing out complaints without even recording a statement from the complainant, the commission itself merited inquiry.The Commission decided over the weekend to dismiss the complaint made by Minister Samaraweera regarding a computer deal involving UNP leader and presidential candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe. The commission decided that since Mr. Wickremesinghe as prime minister at that time had obtained cabinet approval for the purchase and followed tender procedure, the matter did not have to be investigated further.
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Forces put on high alert in North and East
Wednesday, 9 November 2005 - 2:38 AM SL Time
Security forces in the North and the East went on high alert yesterday morning following army intelligence intercepting an LTTE message instructing their cadres to be ready for a massive attack in the next few hours.
Authorities tightened security in government establishments in the North and the East and ordered high alert. Troops have also increased patrols at military bases in the North, increased restrictions on soldiers` travel and leave, sources said adding that key points in the both provinces have been provided with maximum security.
The Navy had deployed additional craft on mobile along the coast of the North and the East to face any emergency, security sources said.
Police intelligence reports said that a large contingent of LTTE cadres had arrived in Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Vavuniya districts.
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Suicide bomber`s jacket found in Kollupitiya
Wednesday, 9 November 2005 - 2:37 AM SL Time
An LTTE suicide jacket, believed to have been brought to Colombo for an undisclosed suicidal mission, on the eve of the Presidential Election 2005, was found by the Kollupitiya Police on Monday (07) night.
The Kollupitiya Police had received a telephone message that a suspicious parcel had been left abandoned near the turn to 13th Lane, Kollupitiya and they had immediately summoned the Army Bomb Disposal Squad.
The suicide jacket with 1,600 pellets, C-4 explosive powder, two arming detonators, two arming switches and pouches was concealed inside a bag. The Army Bomb Disposal Squad defused the suicide jacket, Colombo DIG Pujitha Jayasundara said.
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Business / Economy News
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Order in `kiri piti` ad case today
Wednesday, 9 November 2005 - 2:47 AM SL Time
The Colombo District Court yesterday fixed the order for today an application by a mother to prevent telecasting of an election advertisement using her two-year-old child in an election propaganda advertisement.
The plaintiff mother W. M. Dayanai Chandralatha of Keragala, Padukka complained that the popular filmmaker, Inoka Sathayangani hired her son G. G. Navindu Lakshan Premasiri for an election advertisement for the UNP by providing her false information.
She demanded Rs. 100 million as damages. She also asked Court to issue an order preventing three private TV stations from telecasting the said advertisement.
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Shell Gas Lanka signs exclusive supply contract with US Embassy
Wednesday, 9 November 2005 - 2:45 AM SL Time
Shell Gas Lanka Ltd. (SGLL) yesterday signed an exclusive supply contract with the US Embassy, Sri Lanka, today, for the supply of 37.5 kg (industrial) cylinders to all diplomatic residences associated with the US Embassy. The contract is for a period of one year.
The supply contract was signed by Safraz Careem - Sales Manager- Shell Gas Lanka and James M. Oden - General Service Officer -US Embassy Sri Lanka, at the US Embassy in Colombo.
Safraz Careem said that Shell Gas Lanka had been awarded the contract because of the value additions they had provided to the US Embassy - namely having a dedicated account manager, ensuring reliable supply as well as on time delivery.
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Seylan profits soar by 50% to Rs. 595 m
Wednesday, 9 November 2005 - 2:45 AM SL Time
Seylan Bank has posted a significant improvement in profit after tax for the nine months ending 30th September 2005 compared with the same period for the previous year.
The Bank`s profit after tax witnessed a major growth of 49.81% for the nine month period ending 30th September 2005 to record a figure of Rs.595.20 million as opposed to the previous year`s figure of Rs.397.31 million. Seylan`s pre-tax profit was Rs.797.7 million for the nine months ended 30th September 2005 as against Rs.432.4 million in the same period of 2004 with a 84.4% growth. The group`s profits attributable to shareholders was Rs.634.82 million, up significantly by 37.85%. The thrust in profitability was largely attributed to a high growth in net profit after tax of 139.74% by the bank in the third quarter in 2005 compared with the third quarter of 2004, thereby achieving a figure of Rs.239.54 million for the quarter.
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| Sports News
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Under-11 Schools hockey - Visakha and Nalanda crowned champs
Wednesday, 9 November 2005 - 2:40 AM SL Time
Visakha Vidyalaya routed Gothami Balika Vidyalaya by six goals to nil, while Nalanda College beat St. Benedict`s College Kotahena 2-0, in the Colombo Schools Under-11 Boys` and Girls` Hockey Championships, which concluded last evening, at the Astro Turf, Reid Avenue.
D. S. Senanayake College and Yasodhara Balika Vidyalaya had to settle for the second runners-up berths in the Boys` and Girls` segments, respectively.
Vishaka Vidyalaya, the overwhelming favourites ran circles round the Gothami lasses.
Manisha Weelaratne, Navodya Fernando, Ashwini Madanayake and Piyumi Hansika scored a goal each, while Suchita Vithana sounded the boards twice.
At half time Visakha led 2-0.
Coach Rohan Dissanayake could be termed the architect of Visakha`s success.
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A shot in the arm
Tuesday, 8 November 2005 - 3:21 AM SL Time
Sri Lanka breathed a huge sigh of relief on Sunday night. The ignominy of a seven-match whitewash, which loomed so ominously after their series-losing defeat in Pune, was avoided and India`s momentum finally checked. It came too late for this series but a turnaround was utterly essential before December`s Test series.
Crucially, after a hapless two weeks since their arrival, Sri Lanka were finally the lucky recipients of some good fortune. Marvan Atapattu won an important toss, ensuring India`s bowlers would have to contend with heavy dew in the evening. It helped too that India were in charitable mood, unbelievably resting Sachin Tendulkar, Harbhajan Singh and Irfan Pathan.
Sri Lanka arrived in India as the in-form team and the No 2 team in the world, but after Pune and four heavy defeats confidence was haemorrhaging. India`s swashbuckling, high-intensity cricket had left them shocked, perplexed and edgy. India, though, mindful of the need to manage their players carefully during a long season, provided them with a window of opportunity to lift themselves off the floor.
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Dilshan and Arnold fashion emphatic win
Tuesday, 8 November 2005 - 3:20 AM SL Time
Sri Lanka finally tasted success in the limited-overs series in India with a five-wicket victory over their new-look rivals in the fifth international here on Sunday.
The tourists, playing for pride after losing the first four games of the seven-match series, successfully chased down India`s 285-8 with 14 balls to spare in the day-night encounter here.
Tillekeratne Dilshan and Russel Arnold fashioned the emphatic victory with an undefeated partnership of 131 for the sixth wicket after Sri Lanka were reduced to 155-5 in the 30th over.
Dilshan top-scored with an unbeaten 81 off 67 balls, while Arnold provided able support with 49 not out.
With the series already in the bag, India rested key batsman Sachin Tendulkar and frontline bowlers Irfan Pathan and Harbhajan Singh for the match.
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