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More Headline News
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Sri Lanka justice system `Faliure`
Friday, 3 June 2005 - 4:23 AM SL Time
A United States based human rights watchdog, has accused the Sri Lankan supreme court of prejudice after it freed four people convicted of killing twenty-seven suspected Tamil Tiger rebels in 2000.
The watchdog, Human Rights Watch (HRW), has called on the government in Colombo, to re-investigate the mob killing of the former rebels, including child soldiers, at a state run rehabilitation camp in Bindunuwewa.
In a statement on Thursday, HRW said that the acquittal of all the defendants charged of killing 27 Tamil detainees in the Bindunuwewa camp in October 2000 `demonstrates the failure of the Sri Lankan justice system to address crimes against alleged Tamil Tiger members`.
On the night of October 25, 2000, an angry mob stormed the detention facility.
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Mediation boards go to Jaffna
Friday, 3 June 2005 - 4:19 AM SL Time
The government is receiving Asian Foundation assistance to set up Mediation Boards in government-held parts of the Jaffna Peninsula.
The government is also exploring the possibility of expanding this to the LTTE-held Pallai, also in the peninsula, The Island newspaper reports.
The nearly 270 Mediation Boards, already functioning in the country, have been of immense assistance to the people and have prevented a pile up of cases in the Courts.
Chairman of the Mediation Boards Commission Retired Appeal Court Judge Dharmasiri Jayawickrema recently toured the peninsula to initiate the programme. Well informed sources said that Jayawickrema had held interviews to select Mediation Board members for five boards scheduled to be set up at Jaffna, Velani, Kayts, Chankarni and Nallur.
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Only India knows if Chandrika will sign JM on 15
Friday, 3 June 2005 - 4:17 AM SL Time
Will President Chandrika Kumaratunga sign the proposed joint mechanism with the LTTE on June 15 is the question asked today in political and diplomatic circles. Highly placed sources say she is very likely to sign the agreement on June 15 if India gives her the green light to go ahead. One of her close lieutenants, Deputy Minister Dilan Perera has gone on record saying that the President would sign the joint mechanism soon, but, with no reference to India. A top Indian analyst told `The Island` `The President is going about it so blindly. If India gives her an amber signal she may take it as a yes and go ahead with it. But, if India gives her a clear red signal she will not go ahead with it. It all depends on India now. It would be interesting to see what their message would be`. Kumaratunga`s meeting with Prakash Karath, General Secretary of the Communist Party of India-Marxist is also seen as an important meeting since the Marxist are close to her junior coalition partner the JVP.
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Politics
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President as Commander-in-Chief is responsible for law and order
Saturday, 4 June 2005 - 1:59 AM SL Time
The United National Party unreservedly condemns the killing of Major Muthaliph, irrespective of whether it has been committed by the LTTE or any other group, said Assistant General Secretary of the UNP, Tissa Attanayake when he addressed a media briefing at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition on Thursday.
However, there is an important issue which has to be addressed on a priority basis. It is the strengthening of the law and order situation and upgrading of the intelligence service. Of what use is the intelligence, if the head of the Army Intelligence Unit can be killed in the manner that he was.
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No foreign tours for UNPers
Friday, 3 June 2005 - 7:42 AM SL Time
ALL UNP Parliamentarians and electoral organisers have been prohibited from undertaking any foreign tours between June 15 and July 15 this year.
The UNP politburo took this decision at a meeting chaired by party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe at party headquarters recently, said the party`s Deputy General Secretary Tissa Attanayake, MP.
Mr. Attanayake said the decisions has been taken in view of the `Jana Bala Meheyuma` protest march planned by the party from Matara to Colombo from July 2 to 12.
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J`pura Vice Chancellor steps down
Friday, 3 June 2005 - 7:41 AM SL Time
VICE CHANCELLOR of the Sri Jayawardenapura University Prof. Chandima Wijebandara tendered his resignation yesterday citing indiscipline and lack of cooperation among a minority of students which has made it impossible for him to continue in his post.
He said a certain group of students were threatening to throw the University administration into chaos. He and his Deputy Prof. W. S. Fernando have decided to step down. `Enough is enough,` the Vice Chancellor told a media briefing at the University Grants Commission Auditorium yesterday.
Prof. Wijebandara said he decided to resign to make way for someone who can bring back discipline to the university grounds.
`It is frustrating to see that a small faction of students driven by their hunger for power is creating chaos in the university and withholding other students` rights for freedom of opinion and education,` Prof. Wijebandara said.
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Editorial News
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The JM: To grant or not to grant
Friday, 3 June 2005 - 4:22 AM SL Time
Sri Lankan leaders, when in trouble, do just like their village folk, Alice Akkas or Simion Aiyas, who in an emergency run to the adjacent house or Allapu Gedara for help. They may occasionally kick up a shindy with the Allapu Gedara folks. But they maintain a symbiotic relationship.
Reflected in this trait of Sri Lankan leaders is their over dependence on foreign governments in solving the country's internal problems. Perhaps, centuries of colonial subjugation has brought about this mentality.
Accordingly, beset with trouble at home, President Chandrika Kumaratunga has rushed to India, which is widely considered Sri Lanka's Allapu Gedara. The reason: She doesn't know what to do with the Joint Mechanism, euphemistically called Tsunami Relief Council. (What's in a name, any way') The Tigers are demanding it, the aid donors are pushing for it'they won't tell you they are doing so'but the JVP will have none of it and is threatening to bring her government down if that is granted. She has verily got caught in the JM nutcracker.
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Remembering Sivaram: Politics of Free Expression and Perils of Journalism
Thursday, 2 June 2005 - 10:26 PM SL Time
The necessity to protect the lives of journalists as well as defend the universally accepted right of freedom of expression even in conflict-ridden countries like Sri Lanka was highlighted by a number of speakers at a special meeting held to commemorate a well respected Sri Lankan journalist Dharmaratnam Sivaram, also known as Taraki. Sivaram was murdered in Sri Lanka late April.
The meeting was held on May 13 in Scarborough, Canada and was chaired by Mervyn Mahesan, a former journalist from Thinakural, a leading Sri Lankan National Tamil newspaper. Mr. Mahesan, who was one of the journalists who had received death threats along with Sivaram in 2000, explained the trials and tribulations of working as a journalist in Sri Lanka. He also shared some of his moments with Sivaram.
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When the Lion Flag fluttered once again in Senkadagala
Thursday, 2 June 2005 - 2:20 AM SL Time
The meeting hall of that magnificent hotel was filled with representatives of countries from the four corners of the world.
They were all well trained in the observance of Western mannerisms and the protocols to be observed, that keep such conferences to their predetermined courses.
The events unfolded smoothly as if an unseen mighty hand held sway over ever little detail. It was as if everyone knew how to sit, walk and speak in a manner pleasing to that invisible authority
The eloquence of the Sri Lankan President was a fine blend of the English pronunciation that was expected by the Mother Superior from her students at the convent she attended as a young girl and the commanding voice she inherited as a feudal offspring.
The words that flowed were sweet to the ears of the white gentlemen and their yellow counterparts who had been inducted to the fortune club of the former. For they knew that if things progress without a hiccup it would not be long before the leaders of this country who are ever ready to carry their instructions make the rifts in the society permanent, break the back bone of a nation in disarray and transfer the resources of the country to foreign companies assuring them of an unhindered flow of shekels. This country would be reduced to a servile one where a good number of its people would have to earn their living by providing rest, recreation and services to satisfy the sensual desires of their people.
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| Security |
Tigress takes trishaw man for a ride
Saturday, 4 June 2005 - 1:55 AM SL Time
Kotahena police arrested a young woman suspected to be a member of the LTTE intelligence wing, who had a liaison with a Sinhalese youth in Colombo for sometime.
The Sinhalese youth had driven the woman, Sellaiah Theresa, around Colombo in his three wheel taxi, unaware LTTE she...that she was spying on high security zones in the city, police said.
The police had seen her with the young three wheel taxi driver near the Kotahena St. Lucia' Cathedral and had arrested them on suspicion and on questioning had been able to learn of her movements in the city. While police grilled her and the taxi driver at length, she had admitted to the police that she is a member of the LTTE intelligence wing, Kotahena police said.
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Jaffna to benefit from improved health centre and sanitation facilities
Saturday, 4 June 2005 - 1:22 AM SL Time
One thousand out-patients and 60 in-patients each month will now have access to a rehabilitated psychiatric ward in the Thelipallai Hospital in Jaffna, thanks to a grant from the United States worth $ 225,000. In addition, 300 displaced families in Jaffna, half of which are headed by women, will benefit from newly constructed sanitation facilities and access to clean water.
The American-financed project also trained fifteen Internally displaced young men in concrete casting and pre-fabrication skills to construct latrines to service formerly displaced families returning to Thelipallai, Jaffna, Kopay, Point Pedro and Chavakachcheri.
Representatives from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) participated in a ceremonial re-opening of the upgraded hospital wing and toured sanitation and clean water facilities in Jaffna on June 1.
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Colombo holds key to restore normalcy, says LTTE
Friday, 3 June 2005 - 4:26 AM SL Time
Government of Sri Lanka has a moral responsibility to demonstrate its serious commitment to the Cease Fire Agreement (CFA) and its will to maintain the integrity of the CFA by delivering on it in terms of its obligation to restore normalcy, Mr. Thamilchelvan, LTTE`s Head of Political Division, told Swiss Ambassador Mr.Bernadino Reggazzoni on Thursday in a meeting in Kilinochchi. LTTE`s Political Head expressed fear over the state of the CFA in the context of `fanatical elements` trying to cash in on a volatile situation in Trincomalee and Vavuniya, the LTTE Peace Secretariat website reported.
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Business / Economy News
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Oil prices decline as US crude stocks surge
Saturday, 4 June 2005 - 1:57 AM SL Time
Oil prices fell in Asian trade Friday after news of a surge in US crude stockpiles eased concerns over a supply crunch, dealers said.
At 12:50 pm (0450 GMT), New York's benchmark July contract for light sweet crude was trading at 53.56 dollars a barrel, down seven cents from its close of 53.63 dollars in New York overnight.
World oil prices had dipped nearly a dollar Thursday after official US data showed a larger-than-expected jump in US crude inventories.
Victor Shum, a Singapore-based analyst with US energy consultancy Purvin and Gertz, said the latest price falls were a signal there was adequate crude supplies to cope with market demand.
`Supply is plentiful, some market participants are asking where's the shortage,` said Shum, adding that crude stocks are now at their highest levels since July 1999.
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SLT posts Rs 1.06 billion net profit for First Quarter 2005
Friday, 3 June 2005 - 7:43 AM SL Time
Sri Lanka Telecom, recently posted a substantial three months profit of Rs. 1.06 billion after tax. This figure was achieved in spite of negative market conditions and the liberalisation of the telecommunication Industry witnessed recently, the company said yesterday.
This number is still impressive although it has been reduced to Rs. 909 million due to moderate losses of its fully owned subsidiary Mobitel. The net earnings per share of the group for 2005 was a substantial Rs. 2.01 as against Rs. 1.43 in 2004.
There was also welcome news that the company experienced a marginal increase in revenue of 2% as against the same period in 2004, mainly from an increase in local call revenue and Internet Provider (IP) oriented revenue. However, expenditure for the same time also increased by 5% mainly due to the efforts to improve the network through repair and maintenance.
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Singapore SME Association President's visit to boost business
Friday, 3 June 2005 - 4:22 AM SL Time
Trade between Sri Lanka and Singapore is expected to be strengthened with the visit Mr. Lawrence Leow, the President of the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (ASME) Singapore accompanied by Allen Pathmarajah, President, Singapore Sri Lanka Business Council. The duo are in Sri Lanka on a fact finding mission, which materialized after Minister of Advanced Technology and National Enterprise Development, Rohitha Bogollagama met Mr. Leow during his recent visit to Singapore and had discussions on improving co-operation in the SME Sector between the two countries.
During the visit Mr. Leow met the Senior Officials of the Ministry of Advanced Technology and National Enterprise Development led by Secretary to the Ministry Mr. Lal Kumara Gamage including officials of the SME Bank, the National Council for Economic Development. Presidents of FCCISL, NCCSL, SLCSI, CNCI and the NCE Mr. Leow also met the Chairman of BOI and participated at a presentation made on incentives available for investors in Sri Lanka.
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| Sports News
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Majority give thumbs up for Mallikarachchi's men
Saturday, 4 June 2005 - 1:56 AM SL Time
A few rugby experts gave Sri Lanka's national team the thumbs up but for a well known former skipper and scrum half who feel the islanders will come up short, as they face hosts Thailand in an Asian Zone 2007 IRB World Cup Qualifying round game in Suphanburi, this evening.
One of the finest back row forwards produced by Sri Lanka, Hisham Abdeen feels Sajith Mallikarachchi's XV has a genuine chance of coming out on top if they take the game 'up front'.
`I think the squad is a balanced one` Abdeen, currently coach of Old Zahirians SC told 'The Island' on Friday.
`But at the same time I feel the game up front will be crucial for both teams.
`Sri Lanka seems to be having a chance of winning this game` said Abdeen, adding the conditions on the day could also make a difference to the final outcome.
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Munidasa Gunasinghe Memorial TT C`ship from tomorrow
Friday, 3 June 2005 - 4:21 AM SL Time
Thilina Piyadasa and Kalpani Herath are the men`s and women`s open singles top seeds at the Munidasa Gunasinghe Memorial Open All Island Table Tennis Championship which will commence tomorrow, at the S. Thomas' Gymnasium Mt. Lavinia. The men`s and women`s single finals will be on June 5 at the same venue, from 5 p.m. onwards.
Thilina Piyadasa, the most experienced paddler at this tournament is from Sri Jayawardenapura University and Kalpani Herath is from Girls' High School.
Apart from the women`s open, Kalpani is also ranked number one in the Under-19 singles while Sajith Priyadharashana of Devananda College, Ambalangoda is number one in the boys Under-19.
Former National champion, Namal Gunasekera and Pradeepa Dilrukshi are the bottom seeds. Tharindu Samaraweera and B. N. B. Jayasinghe are top seeds in the men`s open while Rohan Sirisena and Thilina Piyadasa are the bottom seeds. Indika Prasad and Srimali Siriwardena are the top seeded pair in the mixed doubles while Chatura Dushan and Saranga de Silva are the bottom seeds.
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Rugby team off to Thailand
Friday, 3 June 2005 - 4:19 AM SL Time
Newly appointed Sri Lanka rugby captain Sajith Mallikarachchi is adamant his players will 'give a good fight' when confronting Thailand in Suphanburi on June 4.
The match is part of Sri Lanka's 2007 International Rugby Board (IRB) World Cup Qualifying round where they will also play Singapore on June 25.
`We (Sri Lanka) fared well against them (Thailand) about two years ago and there is no reason not to live up to expectations this time around` Mallikarachchi told 'The Island' on Wednesday, in an interview on the eve of the teams departure.
`When we beat them here the last occasion unfortunately I could not play in that game.
`But with the team I have at the moment Sri Lanka should be able to put the record straight`.
Mallikarachchi, 27, leading the country for the first time acknowledged playing at home, Thailand will have a slight advantage over his XV, but remained confident of matching the home side even if they had expatriates in their line-up.
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