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Joint op to nab Joseph`s killers - Body taken to LTTE controlled area
Tuesday, 27 December 2005 - 12:46 AM SL Time
The Police and security forces have launched an all out search for the killers of senior TULF and TNA National List MP Joseph Pararajasingham, military sources said yesterday.
Defence sources in the Eastern province said all clues, though not definite pointed to the LTTE. Gunmen who carried out the attack were not yet identified.
Pararajasingham was gunned down while attending Christmas mass at St.Mary`s Church Batticaloa. His body was taken to Kokkadicholai, the LTTE controlled area for the residents of the locality to pay respects.
It was reported that large crowds paid their respects to the deceased while LTTE cadres too were present in their numbers at a number of places where his remains were taken within the rebel controlled area. The remains were to be brought back to Batticaloa yesterday (26) Batticaloa police said.
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Did LTTE use `thermobaric` weapons?
Monday, 26 December 2005 - 3:57 AM SL Time
Suspicions have arisen in police and military circles whether the LTTE had used the banned `thermobaric` weapons to kill the 13 sailors on Friday at Mannar.
Mannar Police HQI Sudath Asmadala told the Daily Mirror that considering the initial investigation, the attack had been carried out using `thermobaric` weapon, which can burn everything instantly in the targeted range.
'Following this shocking finding, we have asked the Government Analyst to carry out a special investigation into the matter as this type of weapons are banned all over the world,' he said. He also said that soon after the incident, the military personnel who visited the scene were surprised to see the bodies beyond recognition.
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Tigers betray own dead
Monday, 26 December 2005 - 3:50 AM SL Time
The LTTE is likely to disown its cadres, who were killed in the ongoing cordon and search operations in the Jaffna peninsula.
The Island learns that the LTTE would not accept the bodies as it had denied involvement in the ongoing wave of incidents in government-controlled areas in the northern and eastern provinces.
Although the LTTE closed down their offices and recalled cadres deployed in government-controlled areas, sizeable groups are believed to be active in the peninsula. They stepped up operations, following the November 17 presidential polls, prompting Army Headquarters to order cordon and search operations as part of its strategy to neutralise the threat.
Troops engaged in operations Saturday evening killed five LTTE terrorists during a brief gun battle.
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Politics
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Oslo calls for immediate talks
Wednesday, 28 December 2005 - 12:52 AM SL Time
Norway has warned that Sri Lanka is being pushed towards resuming hostilities and urged both the government and the LTTE to get back to the negotiating table immediately.
Norwegian Minister and former special envoy for Sri Lanka Erik Solhiem noted that several innocent lives would be lost if war resumed and urged the government and the LTTE to pursue peace.
He made these observations while addressing a ceremony held in Oslo on Monday to remember those who lost their lives in the tsunami that struck Sri Lanka on December 26 last year.
'If both parties want to prevent war resuming they should get back to the negotiating table immediately,' Mr. Solhiem said.
Mr. Solhiem, who is expected in Sri Lanka next month to have discussions with both the government and the LTTE, said the ceasefire agreement could be strengthened only by both parties resuming negotiations.
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Issadeen`s plans scuttled
Wednesday, 28 December 2005 - 12:24 AM SL Time
An attempt by the Deputy Minister of Media and Highways Segu Issadeen to form the South-East Muslim Nationalist Movement received a severe setback on Sunday.
The proposed Movement, aimed at looking after the interests of North-East Muslims, was to be formed at
a meeting Issadeen convened at the Town Hall, Samanthurai. The meeting could not be helad as the venue was stormed by a group said to be supporters of his rival politician here.
Issadeen`s supporters were ejected from the Town Hall and locked out. The police escorted them away safely. Issadeen had promised that he would inaugurate the South East Muslim Nationalist Movement as he believed it was the only option for the oppressed Muslims of North-East.
The Governor said the meeting was disturbed not because the people were not interested in the movement but a powerful politician of the area was against it.
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Thonda not going with President
Tuesday, 27 December 2005 - 10:22 AM SL Time
CWC leader Arumugam Thondaman who was to accompany President Mahinda Rajapakse on his maiden tour to India today has dropped plans at the last moment apparently as a CWC member who joined the government was sworn-in as a Deputy Minister, the Daily Mirror learns.
Several senior ministers will accompany the President on his three-day tour, but the JVP has declined to join him.
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Editorial News
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Shame on you, Co-Chairs!
Wednesday, 28 December 2005 - 12:48 AM SL Time
The LTTE has killed ten more soldiers in a mine blast in Jaffna. The victims were off duty personnel on their way home. The objective that the terrorists are trying to achieve by persistently carrying out such cowardly attacks is obvious: They are desperate for a backlash in the south like that which generated a huge wave of sympathy for its terrorism in 1983. Its efforts have so far been in vain, but it is not likely to give up so easily. All indications are that it is going to step up attacks on the security forces and provoke them to go on the rampage.
The government has no way of successfully countering that kind of terror in view of the CFA, which it is under pressure to honour, come what may. When provision was made in the CFA for the LTTE to send its combatants to the `government controlled areas` under the pretext of doing `political work,` we warned in these columns that the LTTE would abuse that freedom to consolidate its military power in those parts of the country and finally attack the military. While re-establishing its terror network in those areas, the LTTE systematically decimated the deep penetration units of the army, who could have beaten the LTTE at its own game. Those who were in the then UNF government, which got the Millennium City safe house of the army long-rangers raided, must take the full responsibility for the irreparable loss caused to the army.
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Barbarism!
Tuesday, 27 December 2005 - 12:48 AM SL Time
The dastardly crime of assassinating TNA MP Joseph Pararajasingham inside a church is shocking. It is nothing but an act of barbarism, which should be condemned unreservedly by one and all. A few criminals had found their way into the crowded St. Mary`s Cathedral, Batticaloa during the Christmas Mass in the early hours of Sunday, emptied a fully loaded small firearm into the septuagenarian and disappeared into the darkness of night. Those criminals, devoid of an iota of compassion and capable of desecrating a place of worship on a holy day and gunning down an aged fatherly man, are savages and a disgrace to humanity.
Many may not have agreed with Mr. Pararajasingham on his politics. But none had the right to eliminate him physically. A journalist-turned mild mannered politician, Joseph posed no threat to anyone. He was one of the few remaining moderate Tamil leaders with the potential to steer the Tamil community as well as the country out of the presentday mess. But savages are not given to rational thinking and the future of a community or the country doesn`t matter two hoots to them. If they could think at all, they would never commit such heinous crimes.
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Tsunami, one year on
Monday, 26 December 2005 - 3:55 AM SL Time
Exactly one year ago this day, we, as a nation, went through hell. A seaquake off Indonesia moved the seabed releasing energy 30,000 times higher than that of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. The entire planet vibrated and the blast disturbed its rotation, according to scientists, who likened the phenomenon to a water-filled goblet being hit from the bottom with one`s palm.
The killer waves, which survivors saw as a giant cobra barrelled across the Indian Ocean in all directions, pummelling as it did, everything that stood in its way. Sri Lanka alone lost over 35,000 people, while tens of thousands more perished elsewhere. About 22,000 were injured. In spite of being an island nation, it was only then that Sri Lanka learnt the word, `tsunami`. About 90,000 houses were destroyed and over half a million people displaced. The estimated loss of property has been placed at $ 900 million. Nearly 150,000 lost livelihood and 40,000 became either orphaned or widowed or disabled.
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| Security |
CID arrests reserve police SI
Wednesday, 28 December 2005 - 12:54 AM SL Time
A special investigation unit of the Criminal Investigations Department took into custody sub-inspector G.T. Samantha Bandara of the reserve police who had in his possession two gold plated Buddha statues of archaeological value, a stock of live bullets and several rubber stamps of high state officials.
The sub-inspector is said to have been summoned for service in a special operations unit in Colombo from Medagama police station where he was working. The suspect SI along with a private jeep and two gold plated Buddha statues was taken into custody by a team of sailors who handed over the suspect and the items to Settikulama police.
Settikulama police have released the suspect without an inquiry and SP Ivan Gunaratne had initiated an inquiry after the media gave publicity to the matter.
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President seeks bigger role by India
Wednesday, 28 December 2005 - 12:51 AM SL Time
Sri Lanka`s President Mahinda Rajapakse arrived in India today for a four-day visit which he has said will aim to secure a greater role for India in the island`s fragile peace process.
'They are our closest neighbour and it is very important for me to have them involved in the process,' Mr. Rajapakse told reporters in Colombo ahead of the visit.
The trip is the first foreign visit by Mr. Rajapakse since he took office after winning the November 17 presidential election.
The President said he expected India to play a similar role to that of the four 'co-chairs' -- the United States, European Union, Japan and Norway.
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LTTE has so far killed 26 parliamentarians
Wednesday, 28 December 2005 - 12:25 AM SL Time
The LTTE so far have killed with impunity, 26 parliamentarians, which is a highly condemnable act, undoubtedly an act against humanity. Parliamentarians belonging to Tamil, Muslim and Sinhala ethnic groups had been killed.
Joseph Pararajasingham, the Tamil National Alliance MP killed on the wee hours of 25 December was the 26th parliamentarian to be killed by the Tamil terrorists.
The killing of the parliamentarians started for the first time on 27 July 1975 when they killed Alfred Duraiappah.
1. On 27 July 1975 - Alfred Duaraiappah, MP and mayor of Jaffna.
2. On 25 May 1981 - A, Thiagarajah MP for Vaddukoddai
3.On 03 September 1985 - V.Dharmalingham MP for Manipay
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Business / Economy News
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Container tariff increase to push COL in 2006
Wednesday, 28 December 2005 - 12:54 AM SL Time
Costs of essentials such as food items, pharmaceuticals and others which are imported from neighbouring ports such as those of India, Pakistan, Dubai and Singapore are billed to rise from January 1 with the Ceylon Association of Ships Agents (CASA) deciding to increase the container service tariff from that date.
This follows the CASA communique to the Imports section of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce that the tariff for a 20 foot container will be increased from Rs. 3500 to 5000 and the tariff for a 40 foot container from Rs. 7000 to Rs. 10,000.
Importers would be obliged to pass on the increase to the consumer pushing the cost of living index up.
However, the increase has not had the approval neither of the Ministry of Ports and Shipping nor of the Exchange Control Department, shipping sources told the Daily Mirror yesterday.
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Tiny tots pay huge school admission fee in Kandy
Wednesday, 28 December 2005 - 12:52 AM SL Time
A popular school in Kandy and one of the best in Sri Lanka is alleged to be charging Rs. 25,000 from each grade one student admitted for the year 2006.
It is further alleged that if the full amount is not paid the child would not be admitted to school.
The Deputy Principal of the College said that the decision to charge money was taken by the school development society.
If a parent found it difficult to pay the full amount the problem could be discussed with the school Principal and relief could be obtained.
Parents who wish to admit a child to school should make a special donation to A/C No. 31720 of Bank of Ceylon, Kandy branch and forward the bank credit slip to the Principal.
A letter informing that money be deposited in the bank account is given to parents.
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Emirates introduces Internet check-in facility in Colombo
Wednesday, 28 December 2005 - 12:49 AM SL Time
Colombo this week became the latest destination on the Emirates network to receive the award-winning airline`s innovative internet check-in facility.
Emirates` passengers departing from Colombo can now select and secure their preferred seats online, and check in for their flights from the comfort of their homes, hotels or offices, by logging on to www.emirates.com.
The new and convenient option for customers to check in for their flights via the Internet will enable them to select their preferred seats, saving them time at the airport.
When checking in online, passengers will be prompted to enter their travel information, and will be able to select their seats from amongst those available at the time of check-in. Once the check-in process has been completed, they will be provided an online check-in receipt.
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| Sports News
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Sri Lanka Vs New Zealand ODIs
Wednesday, 28 December 2005 - 12:50 AM SL Time
One Day Internationals between Sri Lanka and New Zealand go back to 1979 when the two teams met in a World Cup game in England with the New Zealanders drawing first blood in a 60 over game in Trent Bridge. Sri Lanka was yet to achieve Test status at that stage. Since the first game, 56 ODIs have been played between the two countries with the Kiwis winning 29 and the Sri Lankans recording victories on 24 occasions. One match has been tied with two ending in no results. In New Zealand, Sri Lanka has played 18 games winning six and losing 12.
Sri Lanka`s first win against the New Zealanders came in the 1983 World Cup in Derby when Asantha de Mel helped them to restrict the opposition to 181 in a 60 over game.
Although Sri Lanka didn`t chase convincingly, they won the game with three wickets in hand with Brendon Kuruppu and Roy Dias posting half-centuries.
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A gruelling schedule for Under-19 cricketers
Tuesday, 27 December 2005 - 12:49 AM SL Time
The year-end matches for the third term resuming today after the O/L exam and the X`mas will initiate a tight schedule for the Under-19 cricketers who are gearing up for the Under-19 World Cup to be held in Sri Lanka in one months time.
Around 30 Under-19 squad players affixed to top cricket playing schools will battle from today in as many as six matches before the commencement of the World Cup.
St. Joseph`s College which comprises the highest number of Under-19 squad players will engage in five two day matches during the month of January and Nalanda, S. Thomas` Mount Lavinia, D.S. Senanayake, St. Peters and other schools which has at least one player representing the Under-19 squad too have fixtures in each weak during January.
The gruelling scheduled would be an acid test for the youngsters in the run-up to the World Cup. While school officials will ponder on utilizing the experienced players for their fixtures to better the records the Sri Lanka Under-19 team management will have to make an extra effort to keep the players intact for practice sessions.
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Being unfriendly towards Vaas cannot be taken with a pinch
Monday, 26 December 2005 - 3:58 AM SL Time
Chaminda Vaas, the ace Sri Lankan bowler who has been in the Sri Lanka team since Rumesh Ratnayake, his sister school colleague of yesteryear faded from the centre stage, has been under fire since of late. The news item highlighted in our sister paper The Sunday Times that he is being cold shouldered by his team mates, cannot be taken lightly by local cricket fans in general and Chaminda enthusiasts in particular. (The Sunday Times of December 18, 2005)
Cricket is a game and generally in sports there is no back tracking for flimsy reasons on any tag whatsoever. Worst if it is old school ties or club affiliations. Chaminda has been promoted Vice Captain. He should have been appointed to this post much earlier. Due to reasons best known to the board officials themselves, this appointment eluded him for some time. We are happy that saner counsel has now prevailed. Just to observe that, this decision too is under controversy baffles all right thinking people, let alone sportsmen or cricket fans.
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