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More Headline News
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Trains to roll south if weather gods behave
Saturday, 5 February 2005 - 2:04 AM SL Time
If the weather remains fair and there's no rain in the next three weeks, the train services from Colombo to Matara could be restored, without a problem by the end of this month, a member of the committee, appointed to revive the rail track, Dr.Lalithasiri Gunaruwan, Senior Lecturer, University of Colombo told 'The Island' yesterday (4).
He said this was a practically achievable target and he had requested the government not to hand over the rehabilitation of the railway line, from Colombo to Matara, to any other party until the Railway Department employees, currently working on the line, completes their work.
The work on repairing and rehabilitating the railway lines and clearing the debris, clogging the line in certain places, is progressing satisfactorily. The Railway Department employees, who are engaged in these tasks have already completed 80 percent of the work. The balance work could be completed by the end of the current month, if rains do not interfere with the work, he said.
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Protest at Sri Lanka tsunami aid
Friday, 4 February 2005 - 9:41 PM SL Time
Some 400 people demonstrated in the town of Matara. The government has admitted aid has reached only about 30% of nearly a million people who need it.
Three officials have now been suspended for mishandling aid. The tsunami killed nearly 31,000 people in Sri Lanka.
Independence Day ceremonies were toned down on Friday as a mark of respect.
Investigations
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Police said the protest in Matara was noisy but peaceful.
One local officer told AFP: `They were shouting slogans against corrupt officials. They are angry because they have been overlooked or aid is slow in reaching them.`
One aid official in Matara was suspended for allegedly being drunk.
Another two in Galle were suspended for allegedly channelling aid to friends unaffected by the disaster.
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JHU to boycott Independence Day celebrations
Friday, 4 February 2005 - 1:32 AM SL Time
The Jatika Hela Urumaya (JHU) yesterday announced that they would be boycotting the government`s independence celebration at the Independence Square today as decided at the central committee meeting on Wednesday.
Refusing the President`s invitation to attend the Independence Celebrations in Colombo, JHU leader Ven. Ellawala Medhananda Thera said there was no point in celebrating a `non-existing independence`, when the whole country was on the verge of being sold to foreigners and taken over by the LTTE.
`After 10 months in governance the UPFA government has failed to fulfil the nationalistic pledges given before the election,` Ven. Thera said.
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Politics
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Celebrations in A`pura sans JVP
Saturday, 5 February 2005 - 2:16 AM SL Time
The JVP members not participating in the state functions to commemorate the 57th Independence Day was the talking point among the SLFP and UNP members who attended the functions held at the Anuradhapura Secretariat Office complex.
North Central Governor, Dr. Jagath Balasuriya was the Chief Guest and special invitees were Minister Tissa Karalliyadde and Chief Minister, Berty Premalal Dissanayake. While the school children were singing National Anthem Governor Balasuriya hoisted the National flag, Minister Karalliyadde the District flag and the Chief Minister Dissanayake the Provincial flag.
After speeches from the Chief guests were delivered a vote of thanks was made by the District Secretary, U. D.Yapa. Several VIPs including SSP Jaya Sri Udawatte attended the ceremony.
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Ranil is daydreaming of Presidency: Mangala
Friday, 4 February 2005 - 1:30 AM SL Time
The massive inflow of aid from donor countries for the national rebuilding effort and the commendation being received by the government from the international community for its efficient handling of the disaster have sent the UNP and its media stooges into a frenzy, said the Media Minister.
In a media release yesterday Minister Samaraweera said that the Alliance Government led by the SLFP and the JVP would continue to work for the well-being of the people without betraying the people`s mandate in the face of attempts by the UNP and its kept-media`s attempt to ouster the government.
`UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and other progressive members, including Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya who respected public opinion opted to support the National programme during the disaster despite racial, religious and specially political differences and displayed the dedication of their party to the task,` Mr. Samaraweera stated, adding that confidence was being built in the people that a real socialistic policy would be implemented.
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2000 free, but not S.B
Friday, 4 February 2005 - 1:28 AM SL Time
Some two thousand prisoners are to be released today on a presidential amnesty to mark the 57th Independence Day -- but the star prisoner is not on the list.
Prison Department sources said the former Minister and UNP strongman S.B. Dissanayake`s name was not on the list of prisoners to be released.
On inquiry prisons commissioner Gunaratne Kuruppu said there had been no instructions from the government till afternoon yesterday for the release of Mr. Dissanayake.
Mr. Kuruppu said this year too those who were serving short periods of imprisonment for minor offences and those due for release soon would be given the amnesty.
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Editorial News
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Tsunami, the God and the Law of Kamma
Saturday, 5 February 2005 - 2:06 AM SL Time
According to quantum mechanics, the universe evolves to a rigorous and precise mathematical formalism, but this framework determines only the probability that any particular future will happen - not which future will actually ensue. Many find this conclusion troubling or even downright unacceptable.
Einstien was one. In one of physic's most time-honourd utterances Albert Einstien admonished the quantum stalwarts that 'God does not play dice with the universe'. But experiments carried out have convincingly confirmed that Einstien was wrong. Thus the world renowned theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking said, `on this point Einstien was confused, not quantum theory`.
God is the embodiment of love and righteousness. In the famous Sermon on the Mount, Jesus Christ preached nothing but righteousness and boundless compassion and generosity. Isn't it then incompatible with such teachings that the God had acted ruthlessly and in a wicked manner in sending the ferocious tsunami waves. He has indiscriminately punished the innocent, and the wicked alike. These include the breast feeding infants, young children, women, the old and the feeble.
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Skewed logic
Friday, 4 February 2005 - 2:25 AM SL Time
February 7 is the date set by President Kumaratunga for the distribution of material relief among 80 per cent of our tsunami victims, by State agencies involved in the distribution of aid.
This follows a frank recognition by the Government that only some 30 per cent of those eligible for compensation by the State, among tsunami victims, have received the relevant succour to date.
Considering the enormity of this task, we call on all State institutions involved in the aid distribution process, to rise to the challenge of feeding and fending for all the victims of the tidal wave disaster, in a spirit of selfless service.
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Give new life to a child
Friday, 4 February 2005 - 1:31 AM SL Time
As Sri Lanka copes with the worst natural tragedy in recorded history, the country cannot languish in despair and desperation. Instead, in a spirit of hope, we need to look positively at the solution, at relief and reconciliation, at reconstruction and rebuilding.
As part of this positive process, the Daily Mirror is offering its services for the rehabilitation and rebuilding of the lives of tsunami-devastated children. With the sea invasion catastrophe leaving thousands of children dead, and hundreds of others without parents, the Daily Mirror is launching a mercy mission to provide some of these children with a new life. These children, destitute and desperate in makeshift refugee camps would need care and compassion. This mission could be undertaken by an individual, a company or a chamber of companies.
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| Security |
Born and free with mother...
Saturday, 5 February 2005 - 2:18 AM SL Time
A total of 435 prisoners serving short jail terms for minor offences at the Welikada prisons were released yesterday on a Presidential amnesty to mark the 57th Independence Day. There were 46 women prisoners among them. Another 220 prisoners who were pardoned under the general amnesty were however detained, as they happened to be suspects in certain pending court cases.
The picture shows Commissioner General of Prisons, Rumy Marzook and some prison officials speaking to a woman-prisoner who was among those released yesterday. The baby in her arms was born while serving the jail term.
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Top post office takes extra holiday
Friday, 4 February 2005 - 1:29 AM SL Time
The Kollupitiya post office -- one of the busiest in the city -- was a dead letter yesterday leaving hundreds of customers stranded and angry.
With a long weekend starting today, the Kollupitiya post office had a four day vacation because it was closed yesterday also due to the lack of staff.
A notice on the door read that the post office was closed for the day due to the non-availability of staff . Irate customers said it was high handed bureaucacy and disgraceful behaviour.
An official of the Postal Department had lame excuses saying most of the staff had been sent for a training programme and the two who were supposed to report for work yesterday had reported sick. So the post office was closed and the public sufferred.
`We were informed by the postmaster around 10.30 am that the staff had not arrived. The postmaster generally handles the administration and he cannot deal with the regular postal tasks ,` he said. However, it is common practice that the Postmaster should inform the District Superintendent if he is short staffed so that stand-in personnel could be sent.
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Volunteer teachers vow mass suicide if demand is not granted
Friday, 4 February 2005 - 1:00 AM SL Time
today, with teachers vowing to commit mass suicide if President Chandrika Kumaratunga fails to assure them permanent appointments.
Ten volunteer teachers have threatened to commit suicide by consuming insecticide in front of the Ministry of Education at Isurupaya in Battaramulla on February 10 if authorities failed to deliver a concrete guarantee on granting them permanent teaching
We want a written assurance from the President that our problem will be addressed. Until such time we will continue with our strike action`, said R.D.U Priyashantha, president of the All Island Volunteer Teachers Association. According to Mr. Priyashantha there are more than 6000 volunteer teachers serving in remote schools across the island with some having worked for about fifteen years with no pay.
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Business / Economy News
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Largest U.S. pension fund, Calpers advised to invest in Colombo Bourse
Saturday, 5 February 2005 - 2:10 AM SL Time
The California Public Employees' Retirement System, the largest U.S. pension fund, has been advised by the consulting firm Wilshire Associates to invest in stocks in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Argentina and Turkey, in an annual review of emerging markets.
Wilshire said markets in those countries scored higher this year than in 2004, based on criteria that include transparency, political stability, labor standards and market regulations, according to a report posted Wednesday on the California pension fund's Web site.
The fund, also known as Calpers, withdrew its investment in Thailand in 2002, after the country scored low on the criteria list. Since then, Thailand's benchmark SET index has more than doubled. The index has gained 6.3 percent this year.
`There are some investors who follow the advice of Calpers, so there could be an interest back in Thailand,` said Low Say Ping, a fund manager at APS Asset Management in Singapore.
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Join Govt`s national program, Mangala tells UNP
Friday, 4 February 2005 - 2:24 AM SL Time
Ports, Aviation, Information and Media Minister Managala Samaraweera said the UNP should actively join in the national program presented by the United People`s Freedom Alliance including the SLFP and the JVP if the party has an actual need and honest feeling to rebuild the country.
He reiterated that the UNP and several media institutions partial to them is disturbed by the massive foreign assistance received by the government and go in their usual way of provoking the masses, being unable to bear the goodwill of the international community.
But however with their all tactics, they will not be allowed to topple the Freedom Alliance Government, he said.
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CSE continues to break records
Friday, 4 February 2005 - 2:23 AM SL Time
Continuing the bullish sentiment and an evidence of growing investor confidence, the Colombo Stock Exchange recorded a new high yesterday. The All Share Price Index (ASPI) yet again recorded the highest point in its history closing at 1684.08 points. The ASPI which started the day at 1663.10 points moved up by 20.98 points (1.26%). The Milanka Price Index (MPI) which started at 2294.85 points closed at 2338.30 points appreciating by 43.45 points (1.89%). Market analysts said the highly enthusiastic foreign buyers boosted the market. Asia Securities said yesterday`s CSE performance was also a response of investors to the news that CalPERS, the advisors to America`s largest pension fund had included Sri Lanka as a `permissible equity market` for the first time. `The foreign buying in to JKH, Lanka IOC and SLT shares dominated the trading platform,` Bartleet stockbrokers said. `The market was continuing to be resilient even after the tsunami disaster and the market will gather further momentum in the coming days,` John Keells said. `With investor sentiment remaining positive, interest rates continuing to be low and strong 4Q2004 corporate results expected shortly from the conglomerate sector, the market is likely to set new highs next week,` Asia Securities said.
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| Sports News
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Cricket committee to propose ODI rules
Saturday, 5 February 2005 - 2:20 AM SL Time
Sunil Gavaskar leads a committee that has proposed radical changes to one-day internationals © Getty Images
A radical set of rules to revamp the one-day game will be considered by the International Cricket Council, which began a meeting in Melbourne yesterday. The ICC Cricket Committee, headed by Sunil Gavaskar, recommended the rules ' which came under public scrutiny ' to boost the flagging profile of one-day internationals, which many claim have become predictable in nature.
Gavaskar mentioned two of the proposed changes that would be made to the ICC: `We`ve looked at a double-play situation, where if a batsman`s been given out lbw and the ball ricochets off to gully and the fielder picks it up and throws it at the non-striker`s end, so you have two dismissals off one ball,` he said to The Melbourne Age. `Same if the ball`s gone up in the air.`
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Warne keeps tsunami vow
Saturday, 5 February 2005 - 2:11 AM SL Time
Shane Warne has kept his promise and will make a flying visit to tsunami-ravaged Sri Lanka next week.
Warne will accompany Sri Lankan superstar Muthiah Muralidaran on a four-day visit mostly to the worst hit areas in Galle, south of Colombo.
The world's leading test wicket-taker says it is the least he can do for the cricket-mad community of Galle, which holds a special place in his heart.
`Sri Lanka was my first overseas tour in 1992 and to this day ranks as the best tour I have been involved with as an Australian player,` he said. `I have a real connection with the place and the people.
`Galle is the scene of one of the highlights of my career ' taking my 500th Test scalp there ' and to see what has happened to the ground but more importantly the people is devastating.`
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Jubilant England tie thriller with South Africa
Thursday, 3 February 2005 - 11:53 PM SL Time
BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa, Feb 2 (Reuters) - England took three wickets in a dramatic final over to force a tie in the second one-day international against South Africa on Wednesday.
The home side, chasing England's 270 for five and hoping to level the seven-match series at 1-1, looked firm favourites on 263 for five and needing eight to win off fast bowler Kabir Ali's final six balls.
The match seemed settled when Ali bowled a full-pitch no-ball with his first delivery which Mark Boucher pulled for four.
Boucher was caught off an identical shot next ball and Ashwell Prince was run out but South Africa still only needed one run off the final delivery with the scores tied.
All rounder Andrew Hall missed it, however, and was stumped by wicketkeeper Geraint Jones, standing up, as the home side ended on 270 for eight, sparking huge celebrations among the England fielders.
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