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Sri Lanka peace official resigns
Wednesday, 9 November 2005 - 10:25 PM SL Time
Sri Lanka`s top official handling the peace process with the Tamil Tiger rebels has resigned.
Jayanatha Dhanapala said his decision would allow a new president to appoint his own official but gave no other details for his resignation.
The fate of the three-year-old truce between the government and the rebels will be a key issue in the 17 November presidential election.
Peace talks between the two sides have been on hold since April 2003.
President Chandrika Kumaratunga has accepted Mr Dhanapala`s resignation.
She did not name a replacement head of the Secretariat for Co-ordinating the Peace Process.
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Ranil lays rules for debate
Wednesday, 9 November 2005 - 2:36 AM SL Time
Opposition Leader and UNP Presidential candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday sent a list of ground rules for the television debate to UPFA presidential candidate and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse.
In a letter to the Premier, the Opposition Leader said: `It gave me great pleasure to learn from the news media that you had made an announcement at a meeting on Sunday 6th November, that you will accept my challenge to a public debate in the run up to the Presidential Election of 17th November.
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Wide ranging relief offered to electorate - Budget 2006 presented despite UNP walk out
Wednesday, 9 November 2005 - 2:35 AM SL Time
Main points
* Rs 1,500 monthly savings for each tsunami affected child.
* Rs 15,000 million for mother and children nutrition programmes
* Rs 3,000 million to increase monthly Samurdhi allowance by Rs 750 each
* Rs 700 million to promote deep sea fishing industry
* Income tax exemption for agriculture and processed agricultural products
* Incentives for advanced technology based industries
* Computers and accessories would be exempted from VAT
* VAT rate changes to reduce prices of essential food and commodities
* Rs 1,000 cost of living allowance for public servants and armed forces
* Rs 500 cost of living allowance for pensioners
* Betting and gaming levy increased
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Politics
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TNA and LTTE meet to decide on election
Thursday, 10 November 2005 - 3:40 AM SL Time
The meeting between the LTTE and the TNA today is set to have a crucial impact on the elections in the North with expectations running high. It is expected that the LTTE would finally change their stance of silence with regard to the coming presidential election.
All 22 MP`s of the TNA are scheduled to meet LTTE political head S.P.Thamilselvan in Kilinochchi this morning The majority of the Tamil population that has thus far remained silent and largely unenthusiastic is expected to be significantly effected by the LTTE decision and may lean towards one of the two main contenders.
'The Peace Process remains the key focus among the population and speculation is high that the candidate who has the best prospect for achieving peace will gain the edge,' political sources in North said.
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No Mahinda Chinthana in Budget: UNP
Thursday, 10 November 2005 - 3:38 AM SL Time
UNP front liner Milinda Moragoda said yesterday the UPFA government`s 2006 Budget proposals were inconsistent with Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse`s manifesto -- Mahinda Chinthana.
'Much attention is being focused as to whether the 2006 Budget proposals presented in Parliament on Tuesday contained the promises included in the Prime Minister`s election manifesto. In short the answer to that question of course is 'no', Mr. Moragoda told the Daily Mirror.
'The Prime Minister`s manifesto is based on a large number of subsidies that are impossible to deliver. The Budget proposals reflect the government`s admission that the country does not have the necessary resources to deliver on those promises. The manifesto does not address the fundamental economic issues we face today, especially the high cost of living and the urgent need for more and better jobs for our youth', he said.
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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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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 |
American woman claims she was assaulted in hotel room
Thursday, 10 November 2005 - 11:29 AM SL Time
A 42-year-old American woman has complained to the Colpetty police that she had been assaulted by an intruder who had under false pretext gained entry to her room at a leading Colombo hotel.
The tourist, who had been holidaying at the popular city hotel, has complained that on October 26 morning at around 7.50 the intruder, who gained entrance to her room, claiming that he was a hotel employee and was going to attend to a problem in the bathroom, had assaulted her and thrown her on the floor. He had then tried to choke and molest her. She said she grappled with the assailant before she was able to chase him away. After she called for help the hotel staff had called the police.
The woman said that she was treated in hospital as she had sustained bruises on the head, stomach and neck. She described the intruder as a man of Indian origin, with long hair and standing between 5 and 6 feet in height.
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Court refuses to stop telecast
Thursday, 10 November 2005 - 3:39 AM SL Time
A court yesterday disallowed an enjoining order asking that three private TV channels stop the telecast of a UNP election advertisement.
Refusing to grant the enjoining order, Colombo District Judge K.H. Sumithrapala said there were insufficient reasons for granting such an order.
Meanwhile the court issued notice for an interim injunction returnable on November 23.
In this case the plaintiff Dayanai Chandralatha of Keragala in Padukka claimed that popular filmmaker Inoka Sathayangani got her son Navindu Lakshan Premasiri to act in an UNP election advertisement by giving false information to the mother.
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Identity card not necessary, says SC
Thursday, 10 November 2005 - 3:38 AM SL Time
The Supreme Court yesterday held that an identity card is not necessary for a voter to cast his/her ballot .
However, if a person with only an official poll card and no other means of identification is challenged at the point he is seeking a ballot or the relevant official has sufficient grounds of suspicion, there should be an adequate questioning of such person in order to ensure that he/she is citizen of Sri Lanka who has attained the age of 18 years and is qualified to be an elector and has his/her name entered in the register of electors.
Chief Justice Sarath N.Silva with Justices C.N.Jayasinghe and N.G.Amaratunga agreeing issued an interim order permitting the poll to be held in respect of voters coming from `LTTE controlled areas` to the cluster polling stations subject to the safeguards contained in the measures proposed by the Elections Commissioner as modified in the foregoing sections of the order.
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Business / Economy News
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Malaysian Royal family linked investor buys 5% stake in Sampath, 20% in Asia Capital
Thursday, 10 November 2005 - 3:42 AM SL Time
Reported to be linked to the Malaysia`s Royal family, high networth investor Ting King Sing yesterday picked up 5% stake in Sampath Bank for Rs. 374 million on top of a 20% stake in Asia Capital on Tuesday.
Giving a big boost to the market, the Malaysian investor who has extensive interest in financial services and construction industry, paid Rs. 110 per Sampath Bank share. The seller was Elgin Fund. In total 4 million Sampath Bank shares or 6% stake traded between a high of Rs. 112 and a low of Rs. 104.75, before closing at Rs. 110, up by 7 or 7%.
This placed Sampath as the second highest gainer percentage wise yesterday.
On Tuesday his purchases in to Asia Capital also propelled the company to a similar position, up by 16% or Rs. 2.50 to 18. Largely retailer sellers, Asia Capital on Tuesday saw 23.6 million shares or 21% stake trade between a high of Rs. 18 and a low of Rs. 15.50.
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Minister justifies budget proposals
Thursday, 10 November 2005 - 3:40 AM SL Time
Government Spokesman Nimal Siripala De Silva addressing a news conference in Colombo justified the carrying of ``Mahinda Chinthana`` proposals in the budget and said there was nothing illegal in it. He said the budget presented in Parliament on Tuesday reflected the vision of a leader.
Queried whether it would be unfair by UNP Presidential aspirant when the budget proposals reflected certain decisions of the Premier`s election manifesto, the Minister said that was nothing wrong in it. `There was no agenda in the budget. It was his vision that was reflected` he said.
Despite the Minister`s comments the budget however did not allocate funds for the Premier`s main platform pledge of bringing down the price of fertilizer to Rs. 350 and funds for providing meals for school children. However Samurdhi relief of Rs. 500 have been increased by Rs. 250 in keeping to the Premier`s promise of increasing the relief by 50%.
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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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| Sports News
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Teenager extends Sri Lanka`s misery
Thursday, 10 November 2005 - 3:43 AM SL Time
Sri Lankans put a poor show at Rajkot in their sixth ODI against India as the hosts registered an easy seven wicket win to extend the lead 5-1 in the seven match series.
In an unbelievable display of careless batting, Sri Lanka was bundled out for 196 in the 43rd over. India, led by acting captain Virender Sehwag, reached home with 15.1 overs to spare.
Bowling a modest spell, 19-year old left arm medium pacer, Rudra Pratap Singh claimed four wickets for 35, against a set of batsmen who spinelessly did not stand on a good track, for their own reputation. Having been totally outplayed in the series so far, Sri Lanka had little opportunity to salvage some pride in the last three games but still far beyond their expectations.
Only Tillakaratne Dilshan made an impact among the Lankans with the bat and fielding. Arguably the best fielder in the team at the time, Dilshan played some dazzling shots to please the full but small crowd at Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium at Rajkot.India too lost two quick wickets in the eight and 10th overs for 57 runs but recalled Mohammed Kaif (38 not out) and that stylish left-hander Yuviraj Singh (79 not out) got them home by putting an unfinished partnership of 105 runs for the fourth wicket. Yuviraj played some delightful shots to include nine fours and three sixes in his 67-ball stay at the crease while Mohammed Kaif taking the green route to send three of the deliveries to the boundary.
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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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